New Books

[nblum]

Given that both my kids needed new computers this year, I didn't ask for trains for Christmas and Santa didn't bring any. But she (this is the new, gender variable Santa we university faculty liberals get as an option :)) did bring me a few new books. I suggest buying these at Amazon, as the prices were about 1/3 off list with no shipping nor sales tax (collected, if not owed).

(1) Sam Posey's "Playing with Trains" is mostly for the scale modelers as it describes a rivet counter's HO layout construction. For you Red Staters out there, at least Sam is a former race car driver :). He doesn't have much interest in toy trains, but at least he knows he's playing, unlike most rivet counters I've met :).

(2) More my speed is Grams and Thompson's "Legendary MTH Trains." Ooops. I meant "Legendary Lionel Trains." :) Kalmbach's new small coffee table book. There's nothing new here and it's quite brief and historical. More for those of us who collect books or want to give a book to a toy train loving friend. I asked for it mostly to keep my collection of contemporary Lionel books complete. It's very pleasant but doesn't cover Lionel's story in great detail. Nice photos, as with all Kalmbach books. Sort of a more beautiful Cliff's Notes to Lionel history. About $20 at Amazon.

(3) Best for last. Since TM Video's and Greenberg's comprehensive books on Lionel have been long out of print or not recently updated, I'd recommend David Doyle's "Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains 1945-1969." About $30 MSRP and $20 at Amazon. This is 400 pages of detailed, heavily pictorial review of Lionel's production during those storied and fondly remembered (at least train-wise) years. Also, David has estimated rarities and pricing by condition for every item. Lots of detailed discussion of most items, original catalog illustration reproductions and photos. A real bargain and a nice complement to the TM books and those from Greenberg. Highly recommended, although I'm no expert on postwar. How can you go wrong with this many postwar catalog pictures and learned discussion for only $20 at Amazon? Great work David, thanks from all of us trainheads for your hard work. It's a beauty and a keeper.

[lionelsoni]

Opinion on the "learned discussion" in Doyle's book is not unanimous: http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=23391&REPLY_ID=229602#229602