Looking for a book covering diesel locomotive history

[Anonymous]

I can't decide what era I want to model with my MRR (still in planning stages). I know it would help my planning process to know more about what locomotives were in use at what time, and preferably by what railroads / in what areas.

Can anyone recommend a good book on the topic? I'm looking for something that would explain to me the time-line for the appearance of the different diesels, who used them, and where.

Thanks.

- Tim

[Anonymous]

Hi this is not a book but a very informative website about when each companies diesels were built and put into service and upgraded and sold to other companies etc.

It was a very good read with good photos and allot of credit should go to its creator

Hope this helps

http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/

[CPPedler]

Hello Tim,
I have a couple here that might be of interest to you and I would think that they are both still in print :- Field Guide to Modern Diesel Locomotives by Greg McDonnell.
This is a small soft cover book and covers most G.E. and E.M.D. types I bought mine from Broughdale Hobbies in Ontario and retailed at $C47.99 , not cheap but full of information and pictures of different railroad liveries.

And :- Modern Locomotives High Horsepower Diesels 1966-2000 by Brian Solomon.
This is a large format hard case book which retails at $30 in the U.S.
Some beautiful double page spread color photos in some cases and really worth the money Try your local library in the first instance they should be able to help.
Best of luck CPPedler

[tgindy]

I am also researching a new layout and have settled into 1956 for three flexiblity reasons since there will be a Pennsylvania RR presence => Pennsy steam wasn't eliminated until sometime in 1957 so some steam can still be used, first generation diesels were transitioning to second generation diesels, and locally-inspired traction and trolly action was going strong in the mid-fifties.

Thus, I have four thoughts for you from my similar personal research:

The 1st diesel history suggestion is very current...

The current "Diesel Victory" from Classic Trains Special Edition #4 (display until February 20, 2006) has in-depth articles that list dieselization for all the major railroads including a year-by-year (pages 36-45) from 1905-1960. "Diesel Victory" has over 170 photos and even profiles the history of all the diesel builders for $8.95 U.S. Excellent!

The 2nd diesel history suggestion is fairly current...

The November 2005 MRR has an article on pages 70-75 called, "Modeler's guide to passenger diesels." The timeline is circa 1940 to 2005. For example, who would have thought FM had three diesels that were used in passenger service => FM Erie-builts, Trainmaster, and the H-15-44. The article also gives you current model manfacturers, and detailing suggestions for steam generators. This MRR was one of their gems.

The 3rd diesel history suggestion is probably not so current...

My purchase of Kalmbach 's, "The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide," was of the second edition from 1978 at the then purchase price of $10.95 U.S. with 459 pages. All diesels are listed by the manufacturer, and which roads purchased them by diesel => Model, Horsepower, Cylinders., Engine, Period produced, and apx. number of units sold. Each diesel has a picture and narrative detail. If you need to "Google" => The author is Jerry A. Pinkepank. This book even includes listings for industrial switchers.

A fourth suggestion is in case you decide to model the 1950s...

In Summer 2005, MRR published "Modeling the Railroads of the 1950s," with a narrative article on pages 12-15, "Locomotives of the 1950s" covering steam, diesel, and electric, with two small charts that detail => Locomotive ownership, U.S. Class 1 railroads => Dates of complete dieselization. Pages 18-23 has "Add realistic weathering to your motive power," and; pages 24-33 has "Passenger equipment and operations." This special issue is "a gimme" If you're going to model the 1950s. It sure brought back memories for this baby boomer.

[twcenterprises]

"Diesel Locomotive: the First 50 Years" covers almost everything up to EMD'S 40 series locomotives. Tons of pictures, # of units built, spotting features, rebuilt/repowered units, and in some cases, which RR's bought units. Covers nearly all builders up to 1972, including many industrial units. Published by Kalmbach.

Brad