Narrow Gauge Book by Malcolm Furlow

[Anonymous]

Am trying to locate a copy of Malcolm Furlow's book:

"Ho Narrow Gauge RR You can build - A Narrow Gauge Project RR"

Published by Kalmbach years ago, it is now out of print.

Anyone interested in selling/lending it?

Thanks!

...John

[e-mail]

[hminky]

One went on E-bay for $175. I would find the back issues of Model Railroader that carried the series and buy them. It would probably be easier and cheaper.
Just a thought
Harold

[underworld]

Check at shows. I usually see a lot of books, and usually good prices.

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

$175? You must be kidding, right?

[randybc2003]

Check the Phone Book for Pasco, Washington. Call PF&S Supply
Check the Phone Book for Seattle Washington. Call Northside Trains.
I'm pretty sure I saw a copy of that in one of the stores in the last week.
Good Luck

[Anonymous]

Check your email John. Sent a link to copies starting at $49.95

Wayne

[Anonymous]

Muddy Creek - could you send me a link too?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

GOT IT!

From PF&S RR Supply in Pasco Washhington for $10 + shipping.

Email Sharon at [e-mail]

Thanks to all for the advice..what a great Forum!

...John

[ereimer]

don't show this thread to the guy who paid $175 for it on ebay ... LOL

[SpaceMouse]

Okay, I've been searching for Model Railroading with John Allen and found it on eBay only to watch it go for $64. I looked at several on-line used book dealers with no luck--I mean there were none.

Can you help me like you did JMBonn?

[Anonymous]

[:D][:D][:D]

I just posted the message to start this topic & received the help I needed from a member who happened to have spotted the book in a hobby shop he had visited... see Randybc's post above.

Like a said, this is a great forum!

...John

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Okay, I've been searching for Model Railroading with John Allen and found it on eBay only to watch it go for $64. I looked at several on-line used book dealers with no luck--I mean there were none.

I found Model Railroading with John Allen on Yahoo. How's $75 sound? Painful, hu? Hey, better than the one for $238!!!
There is one on eBay and it's in the UK

You can have Yahoo send you an alert whenever another copy is listed. That's how I got a 1954 issue of trains that had an article about N&W's Williamson yard and the lubratorium. It took about seven or eight months, but I got it!

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gsetter

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Okay, I've been searching for Model Railroading with John Allen and found it on eBay only to watch it go for $64. I looked at several on-line used book dealers with no luck--I mean there were none.

I found Model Railroading with John Allen on Yahoo. How's $75 sound? Painful, hu? Hey, better than the one for $238!!!
There is one on eBay and it's in the UK

You can have Yahoo send you an alert whenever another copy is listed.

Makes me glad I got mine when the second printing came out.
Enjoy
Paul

[SpaceMouse]

I have it solved--sort of. I have one coming on inter-library loan. I have access to a scanner.

The advantage is one side is blank and I can take notes.

[jjbmish]

I was lucky enough to receive a copy as a Christmas gift. Its great having a sister who works at a hobby shop! Its the hardback version and I have gone thru it many, many times. Its a great book and a lot of inspiration when things start to slow down.

John

[randybc2003]

Before you go to the Auction Houses, check w/ your local used bookstores. Some of them carry RR stuff in special sections. Also, attend a couple of swap meets. You can probably get a copy from someone at them.
My own copy is under lock and key [:D][:D][:-,]

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jjbmish

Its great having a sister who works at a hobby shop!
John

is she married ?

[}:)]

[jjbmish]

Nope, but she's looking! LOL If you want to come to Northern Indiana.

[on30francisco]

Try your local public library. If they don't have it, ask them to get it for you on an interlibrary loan. This service is free. You can also check your second-hand bookstores.

[cacole]

I'm not surprised that John Allen's book, Model Railroading with John Allen, is going for such a steep price -- I have one dated January 1982 (second printing) that had a cover price of $21.95 even back then.

[MRTerry]

Interesting topic. Reprinting books like these isn't a very feasible option, mostly because of the short runs involved.

However, here's an idea: If we spent the money to have the chapters digitized for downloads as PDF files (and believe me, getting a GOOD PDF costs many times the $1 a page that some people are quoting elsewhere on the forum), how much would you pay for these books as downloads? We'd probably offer them as chapters because of the enormous file sized involved. Who knows, maybe we would even make some other Allen or Furlow content available as well.

I look forward to your answers, and thanks for reading MR.

Terry

[tommyr]

I have a copy of that book. If you want to pay the postage I will
send it to y.ou
Tom

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MReditor

Interesting topic. Reprinting books like these isn't a very feasible option, mostly because of the short runs involved.

However, here's an idea: If we spent the money to have the chapters digitized for downloads as PDF files (and believe me, getting a GOOD PDF costs many times the $1 a page that some people are quoting elsewhere on the forum), how much would you pay for these books as downloads? We'd probably offer them as chapters because of the enormous file sized involved. Who knows, maybe we would even make some other Allen or Furlow content available as well.

I look forward to your answers, and thanks for reading MR.

Terry

After spending 6 1/2 hours scanning [i]Model Railroading with John Allen I certainly might pay $10-15 for a .pdf. I'm also certain that the quality of the scans will be better on the .pdf.

The big disavantage of digital books is the flip through factor. If you want to show a person a particular picture in a book, you flip though the book until you see the page you want and there it is. Pdfs acan take a while to change pages and you have to go page by page if you don't know exactly where you are going.

Still, I rather have access to the out of print books than not.

[aartlib]

I found Malcolm Furlow on the Art/Paintings venue on the net. He is really selling (mostly Indian/Western) at some big prices. That guy is talented!
Art Gordon

[Pruitt]

Hey, Terry,

I don't understand. If there is demand out there for a reprint, why is it so unfeasable (non-feasable? infeasable?)? On the surface it would seem a bargain for you - all the prep work is already done. All you have to do is make another print run, and get a bigger profit per book - all the editorial costs are already amortized out on earlier runs. Is there really so much more to it than that, that it is more costly than doing an entirely new book?!

I really would like to know more about this.

Thanks!

[CNJ831]

What I would expect is that MR (Bergie) understands that the actual demand for this volume is today really quite limited. Furlow and his caricaturish NG work (not meant in any offensive way, just that it's not a widely followed style nowadays) is largely from an era nearly 20 years past and far less well known, enviable, nor in demand than some might think. On the other hand, John Allen's work is rather more timeless and there would be the possibility of a good return, over time, on that book.

To reprint Furlow's book, considering it might well sell a rather limited number of copies, would hardly be a good business plan. Re-issued in a PDF file format would make far better business sense.

CNJ831

[SpaceMouse]

I'm not familiar with Furlow's book, but I think there is a need for more Model Railroad books like the John Allen book. Where most of the books published by Klambach are 'How to's," Allen's book is more inspiring almost a coffee table book. Although I would probably buy a .pdr of it. A lot would be lost.

A book I would like to see would be a book of John Anderson's completed layouts that show both the designs and the completed layouts. Of help would be the owner's descriptions of operations, including the good and bad aspects of the design with that regard.

[Anonymous]

MR needs to make more coffee table style books, maybe a book collecting articles on some of the best known layouts, like the Utah belt, V&O, Allengheny midland (Two layouts that are gone now, but im sure theres versions of the trackplans and many pictures of them), Ken Mcorrys layout, the late John Armstrongs chattanoga southern, Sam Poseys layout etc. And i dont mean in the GMR format, hardcover books with large articles going beoynd what we get in GMR or in an issue of MR. The hardcovers would last a good while, and be an investment in the long run.

[IRONROOSTER]

The problem with coffee table books is that they are very expensive usually $75 and up. Couple that with low demand - model railroaders who don't already have most of the material and have the money for a coffee table book - and you get low sales.

Also the major model railroads have usually been covered exensively in print and video. Some like the V&O have had their own book . Most of the others have been included in books or magazines.

John Armstrong's Canandiagua Southern has been a multi part series in Model Railroader twice, included in one of the books of John's track plans and been part of a video of model railroads - all of which I have.

While it would be nice to have I don't think it makes good business sense.

Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by hminky

One went on E-bay for $175. I would find the back issues of Model Railroader that carried the series and buy them. It would probably be easier and cheaper.
Just a thought
Harold

Anybody have an idea what issues those were in? I've not had any luck finding them using the search tool thingy.
Thanks [:)]