In Search Of!!!

[jlcjrbal]

I am looking to purchase a book on the basics of MR. It seems that there are just alot of small books about each topic. Are there any 'Bible" type books out there that you have and will continue to use as reference to all the basics. ANy help would be great.. Jospeh

[IRONROOSTER]

The problem is that most of the "complete" books of model railroading are out of date almost before the first printing is in the stores. I have the "The Complete Book of Model Railroading" from many years ago. It's fun to read to see the state of the hobbby in the 60's. While some of it is still applicable, most of it is very dated.

The hobby has been not stood still long enough for a complete book to remain the "Bible" very long. With improvements in control systems, plastics, scenery materials, etc continuing, I don't see this changing.
Enjoy
Paul

[rrinker]

I too have that book. I remember checking it out of the library over and over again when I was a kid, and a couple of years ago a copy was avialable on Ebay for $5 so I bought it. Two things always stood out in that book, one was that I always wanted to build a cab-forward froma Docksider, and the other is the chapter on ASTRAC. I read that part over and over again. Fromt hat point on I was determined that I would NEVER use DC block controls EVER. Then came the MR articles on CTC16/16e, when I was a bit older and had some understanding of electronics. I was prepared to build a system for my small L-shaped switching layout, but then came the DCC standardization. Now that I am finally building a good-size layout, DCC is where it's at. This time I bought the control system before bulding the layout, so I'm all set.
Most of the principles in the book have remained the same, although some of the materials have changed, and of course the rolling stock pictured is generally no longer available, except at collector prices, but overall it's a good book.
There is also a newer book from the 70's, a 2-volume set by Robert Schleicher that is pretty good, it's where I first heard of the Slim Gauge Guild and their spectacular scenery. I've been through that one so many times it started to fall apart. Once again, many of the products mentioned are no longer available, but the concepts are still the same.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I think Kalmbach has a new book out HO railroad from start to finish. That might have what you are looking for.