Recommended books for the library?

[passengerfan]

JanOlov Hope the following helps.

A Century of Pullman Cars Volume one comes immediatly to mind. Surprisingly the heavyweights though numerous were not of that many configurations. Where they get confusing is cross referencing the conversions from 12-1 to the numerous other types shortly before WW 11 and those converted to Tourist sleepers. Pullman generally numbered the Tourist sleepers and when 12-1 were converted to other configurations the names were changed. In some cases when certain Pullman sleepers were transferred to another train they were renamed as well. There is quite a bit of reference material out their on the older Pullman cars but it takes lots of time to sort it out.

[JanOlov]

I have to admit that I sometimes get confused with all the numbers that Pullman used with their sleepers. How was it with the Lounge and Lounge/Observation cars back then?

[BigJim]

Some books that have to be a little more readable than those Pullman books;
Set Up Running: Orr
Story of a PRR engineer

N&W Giant of Steam: Jeffries
N&W history

Rails Remembered Vol.3: Newton (not to take away from Vol.1, 2 or 4, I just like 3 best)
N&W history

Classic Power 3A USRA 2-8-8-2: King & Dressler
History of the 2-8-8-2

In The Traces: Rose
The watercolor paintings of Ted Rose.

[passengerfan]

You asked about the heavyweight Lounge and Observations. If they were minus any sleeping car space they were generally RR owned and operated. Much like the heavyweight coaches and Dining cars. Pullman owned a few dining cars and lounge cars but these were generally operated in special service. An example was the first two cars in the June 1937 FORTY NINER.

The first car was a baggage Dormitory Kitchen Car named DONNER LAKE originally built in 1928 as the K-100 for Special Service. The second car in the FORTY NINER was ANGEL'S CAMP a dining room car originally D-100 built for the same Special service in 1928. For the FORTY NINER all heavyweight cars were remodeled giving them a streamlined roof line and skirting was added. The FORTY NINER began service July 8, 1937 and ended service July 26, 1941 when replaced by a new CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO consist.

Hope this helps.

[FloridaPanhandler]

If you're interested in the big picture of economics and politics of the American rail industry in the 20th century, I highly recommend both "Merging Lines" and "Main Lines" by Richard Saunders.  The first covers American railroads from the early 1900s up to about 1970.  The second covers the resurgence of American railroads from the 1970s to 2002.  Both are fascinating reads.

[gvdobler]

I read one by John Signor (sp) about the RR from Salt Lake City to San Pedro California through the Cajon Pass, and found it very interesting.  Very detailed information and lots of good pictures. I found it at the local library.

[081552]

You have to include several books about electric railroads in any library.

 

When Steam Roads Electrified 

 William Middleton-available through I.U. Press or other outlets

The Electric Interurban Railway in America

George Hilton and John Due-This book was published over 47 years ago and remains the standard book on the Interurban area.

Anything by Middleton

Not a book but a recommendation.