"Encyclopedia of North American Railroads" - Review

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Encyclopedia of North American Railroads (Hardcover) - by William D. Middleton (Editor), George M. Smerk (Editor), Roberta L. Diehl (Editor).

Well having saved and gulped etc my copy arrived at long last.

Hefty, heavy and full of information - there is a huge amount of information packed into the 1,281 pages, size 8 inches by 10 inches.

The idea of the detail, can best be grasped by understanding that the Index is an additional 48 pages, of three columns per page!!!!!.

Contents are very good - it must be one of the best, if not the best, general references on North American Railroads around.

The first part contains a number of historical essays on developments of systems, history, etc.

Topics in the main section cover technical items, oddities, history, biographies, major and minor railroads, technology, innovations, equipment etc. Backed up by lots of drawings, maps, and photographs.

A great book for lovers of American Railroads, and in my opinion work every penny - especially when one wants to dip into a short niece in the evening or on a rainy day!

Order via amazon.co.uk for the best deal.....available at 47 pounds - a bargain as it normally retails around 70 pounds. Just think - for the price of a pretty bog standard grocery shop at the weekend, you could have this instead!