I could have sworn there was a book thread floating around somewhere, but I can't find it. My apologies if I've missed it.
I have become a little obsessed with reading about railroading, late 1800s through early 1900s in particular. Some of this is in support of my eventual plans to create a layout based on central Vermont granite railroads, but a lot of it is just because I really enjoy the variety and pioneering spirit you see in those early days. Anyway, figured I would make a thread to recommend some recent favorites, as well as get some recommendations from others.
Playing with Trains: A Passion Beyond Scale - this is about model railroading, and specifically the author's journey in the hobby beginning in childhood. Really a wonderful book in every way, and I'm sure will speak directly to anyone who spends even a little bit of time on these forums.
Vermont's Granite Railroads: The Montpelier and Wells River and the Barre and Chelsea - A highly detailed look at short line railroads serving Barre's granite industry. This book, along with Sky Route to the Quarries : History of the Barre Railroad, has inspired a lot of my scratch modeling of flat cars and granite loads.
Extra South - A meandering and often whimsical look into (mostly) small railroads in the South in the steam era. There are some great stories, as well as great photos.
Maine Two Footers - A great read on the old two foot gauge railroads in Maine along with a few in Massachusetts. This was originally printed in 1959, and as such includes first hand accounts of the roads.
I have become a little obsessed with reading about railroading, late 1800s through early 1900s in particular. Some of this is in support of my eventual plans to create a layout based on central Vermont granite railroads, but a lot of it is just because I really enjoy the variety and pioneering spirit you see in those early days. Anyway, figured I would make a thread to recommend some recent favorites, as well as get some recommendations from others.
Playing with Trains: A Passion Beyond Scale - this is about model railroading, and specifically the author's journey in the hobby beginning in childhood. Really a wonderful book in every way, and I'm sure will speak directly to anyone who spends even a little bit of time on these forums.
Vermont's Granite Railroads: The Montpelier and Wells River and the Barre and Chelsea - A highly detailed look at short line railroads serving Barre's granite industry. This book, along with Sky Route to the Quarries : History of the Barre Railroad, has inspired a lot of my scratch modeling of flat cars and granite loads.
Extra South - A meandering and often whimsical look into (mostly) small railroads in the South in the steam era. There are some great stories, as well as great photos.
Maine Two Footers - A great read on the old two foot gauge railroads in Maine along with a few in Massachusetts. This was originally printed in 1959, and as such includes first hand accounts of the roads.
