I received an email this morning announcing a new, 224 page book from Kalmbach on the Big Boy type, including development and operation, and restoration of the 4014. Does anyone know if this is largely a new text, written specifically for this book, or merely an aggregation of previously published articles from Trains magazine, and other Kalmbach periodicals?
If this book contains new text, I'm interested. If it is simply a regurgitation of articles already published, I don't much see the point in buying.
Anybody know?
It is being touted as the definitive history of the class. To actually 'be' that, it would have to be extensively newly-written, and previous articles footnoted rather than extensively plagiarizedadapted.
I don't think we'll know for sure until Kalmbach provides the table of contents and perhaps some excerpts and illustrations from it.
OvermodI don't think we'll know for sure until Kalmbach provides the table of contents and perhaps some excerpts and illustrations from it.
Or a disinterested party in the railfan community writes a review.
Hey Flint, buy me one, and I'll review it.
See, I was posting on the assumption the book isn't actually available yet... and as of 20 seconds ago on Amazon, it still isn't.
Whether it gets reviews there or on the various railroad forums first remains to be seen, but one thing I don't expect soon will be 'dispassionate' reviews...
Overmod It is being touted as the definitive history of the class. To actually 'be' that, it would have to be extensively newly-written, and previous articles footnoted rather than extensively plagiarizedadapted. I don't think we'll know for sure until Kalmbach provides the table of contents and perhaps some excerpts and illustrations from it.
It's perfectly acceptable to put together a book composed of a mix of some new material along with a collection of previously written articles, as long as the are so credited. It's been done for years, by many.
charlie hebdoIt's perfectly acceptable to put together a book composed of a mix of some new material along with a collection of previously written articles, as long as the are so credited. It's been done for years, by many.
I suspect that for many, a compilation of Trains material would be a reasonable thing to spend $30 on, and I'm not going to pretend outrage if it were to turn out that's what largely comprises both parts of the book. I'll be interested in the book if it adds new detail. I'd be upset to buy it to find it's just magazine coverage rolled around some continuity prose. And until the book is 'out' for delivery (by Amazon or other vendors that feature reviews) I'm reluctant to gamble.
All true but then why did you post and deliberately cross out the word plagiarized? That was what seemed amiss in your post.
charlie hebdo All true but then why did you post and deliberately cross out the word plagiarized? That was what seemed amiss in your post.
charlie hebdoAll true but then why did you post and deliberately cross out the word plagiarized? That was what seemed amiss in your post.
If it is a congeries of quoted articles then, correctly as charlie hebdo is concerned, there would be no plagiarism.
Overmod charlie hebdo All true but then why did you post and deliberately cross out the word plagiarized? That was what seemed amiss in your post. Was more an attempt at humor, concerning a recent Trains article and the idea that the 'new' book might be taken from old material without full credit to the original writers. If it is a congeries of quoted articles then, correctly as charlie hebdo is concerned, there would be no plagiarism.
Was more an attempt at humor, concerning a recent Trains article and the idea that the 'new' book might be taken from old material without full credit to the original writers.
Predictable, if course, that you were just joking.
The fact that no author is identified leads me to suspect this will be a compilation of past articles from the magazines. A good number have appeared in the pages on Trains, Classic Trains, and various special issues over the years. Enough to fill 224 pages? Maybe. Alas, without access to the people with firsthand design knowledge and operating experience, the time for writing a more detailed book than William Kratville's may have past.
I'll watch for reviews or a published table of contents.
charlie hebdoPredictable, if course, that you were just joking.
No matter, though: it will be what it is.
This Thread has caused me to go back and dig out my copy of one of the Kalmbach's really, elderly,but a favorite of mine " Steam's Finest Hour" [1959] 'Edited' by David P. Morgan. fly leaf printed price was $15.00..... Yep! It is also a 'complation', posts a Builders Print of each type covered and in many cases, there is an accredited photograph of the same type, in service..
I bought it when I was..... The purchase price was a mountain to climb for a teen, at that time. It's cover is a little ratty-tatty, but it is still a 'treasure' for an old geezer.
And the upcoming book, on 'Big Boy's'; I'll probably buy one for myself, and one for my grandson, as well. Regardless!
My one hobbiest's regret? I did not buy one of those $50.00 life-time Model Railroader subscriptons; when they were offered..... Way back when!
Which reminds me....Is there anyone, these days, who bought a subscription and is still receiving it ? Inquiring Minds...would like to know?
samfp1943 - I too have Steam's Finest Hour. Fabulous book! I have my Big Boy tome on order. What the heck - in normal times a dinner and drinks with the better half goes for way more than that. I am glad Trains is adding to the database of steam.
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