Large Scale Central

Lucky Me-too!

General Discussion
#1

A friend of mine from CA, sent me over a box of goodies. I received yesterday evening, inside were 1 each of the following:

Lima Locomotives 1911 locomotive catalog, reprint Vol 2, Number 10, 1960 by Pacific Railway Journal

“Floyd Clymers Album of Historical Steam Traction Engines and Threshing Equipment No.1”, printed 1949

“The Shay Locomotive, Titan of the Timber” Michael Koch, 1971. “Limited Edition” No. 1968, with authors signature.

“Narrow Gauge to Silverton” by John Hungerfod, 1958 edition.

and finally

“The Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice” Thirteenth Ed. 1947 (this monster is bigger than the old family Bible, and near as full of stuff I want to know!)

cale

#2

Hi Cale

I’m jealous that you have that 1947 Cyclopedia, it is probably the best one of the lot. I have the 1922 one and its pretty good, but the '47 one has quite a bit more of the modern locos and their appliances and lots of lovely drawings. A mate of mine had one and I used to borrow it frequently to make copies of the drawings.

What a good friend you have!

Cheers
Tony

#3

You have some fine friends, Cale.
Ralph

#4
Ralph Berg said:
You have some fine friends, Cale. Ralph
Very generous too.

Here is what a good condition copy of Titan of the Timber is selling for :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0006WIHIE/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239921701&sr=1-1

#5
TonyWalsham said:
Ralph Berg said:
You have some fine friends, Cale. Ralph
Very generous too.

Here is what a good condition copy of Titan of the Timber is selling for :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0006WIHIE/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239921701&sr=1-1


Holy crap. Nearly $700. I wonder if these are also limited edition with the authors signature.
Ralph

#6

The Norbeck “Encyclopedia of American Steam Traction Engines” is a much better source than for actual information than the Clymer book. The Clymer has a higher percentage of catalog and advertising cuts, while the much later Norbeck book has more descriptions and a multitude of photos from the early '70’s. I have both, and another one that’s just catalog cuts.

#7

2 years ago I witnessed the owner of my LHS “buy it now” that book on e-bay for $500.00.
Signed copy.

#8

Holy Smoke!

Bill is a very dear friend, I’m not sure if he was aware of the value of the books, and I’m ashamed to tell him.

His father was a self taught steam nut, scratch-building a few 4" Tank Engines and a Traction Engine or two.

Years ago Bill bought my HD and we began a long distance friendship that has lasted and grown since.

About 3.5 years ago I introduced him to my best friend and He’ll never be the same.

I did spend some time with the books last evening, and now I need a Shay! The Cyclopedia is really neat too!

cale

#9

You are a lucky man to have friends like that.

#10

Cale:

Congrats on a very good friend and on your new acquisitions.

My numbered (4688), signed, limited edition of “The Shay Locomotive, Titan of the Timber” is undoubtedly my most prized railroad book. Interesting thing is the original selling price printed on the inside of the dust jacket: $19.50!! I hadn’t looked lately, but about 10 years ago they were going for ~$450 or so. I bought mine when they first came out in 1971 from the bookshop at the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroads in Felton, California. At $19.50, I thought it was too expensive for my budget, but my girlfriend pushed me into purchasing it. The book has outlasted the girlfriend by something like 36 years so far. It is absolutely the best resource on Shay locomotives that exists.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#11

Wow, those are some great books! Congrats on both the books and the friendship.

#12

I also have the 1947 Locomotive Cyclopedia. The most interesting feature about this issue is the crossing over which is taking place in this volume.

A plethora of Baldwin diesel electrics, The Alco - GE locos and the GM locos. But Porter, Whitcomb, etc. All of the detail pics of castings and assemblies of things we never hear of.

Standard gauge locos with stokers (and dual stokers).

The end of steam and the beginning of modern diesel electrics.

Barry - BBT

#13

A tresure basket, wow, build a new book case in the throne room so you waste no time enjoying them.

I’m happy for U. Do not tell any one where you live. =D