2nd time for book review, Guide to Freight Yards

[Anonymous]

My 2 local hobby shops do not have a copy of Kalmbachs "The Model Railroaders Guide to Freight Yards" for me to look thru. I usually like to look over a book before I buy it, but with non in stock to see and make a decision about, I am reluctant to just order one. Has anyone here purchased the book and care to tell us all a little more about it??? I have John Armstrongs books on track planning, which lightly cover yard and terminal design. Will this new book really teach me something new?

I HAVE tried several times to download the 5 pages of 'sample PDF' from the Kalmbach server, but it seems to be jammed up and won't reply.

So, I would still appreciate some advice or a review on this book

Jennifer

[Anonymous]

If it's at all like their other offerings, it is just a compilation of articles from years and years of magazine articles. I have been burned ordering 5 of their books sight unseen and will not do it again. Go to the library and look at older copies of MRR instead.

[Anonymous]

I was hoping that this was not the case.....Why don't they put together some fresh material? Just because all the old experts have died, it dosen't mean tthat there are no new authors who can write about such things. I think I'll get in touch with Kalmbach and sugget that if they are going to put together books of old articles, that that be MORE PROMINANTLY displayed in the advertising and on the cover. Many of us have hundreds or even more of the old issues, so why but the same material again. These compilations are good for beginners who don't have a library of back issues, for them its great!....but I'm looking for an up to date discussion of design theory to help me design a short line yard. So far the internet has been the best help, with several websites authored by folks who take track planning very seriously.
Cheers, Jennifer.

[johncolley]

On the contrary, I thought it was a good introductory book for those who don't have access to all those "old articles". It is a good logical progression from why and what , to how. The only thing that didn't make it into the book was the really neat classification illustration from MR a couple months back. Lots of good ideas and info, so don't be afraid to order it direct from Kalmbach. Two other good ones are Lineside Industries and Engine Servicing. Happy Railroading in the New Year!

[CBQ_Guy]

Andy Sperandeo wrote this book. I picked it up last week and read it. I thought it was very good because the material in it is all there in one place. By that I mean there is information that it took me decades to pick up here and there, and in thousands of read email posts on various lists the past few years I have been online . . . but it's all together in one place.

It's not like the price of the book is going to break the bank, so just pick it up and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Anonymous]

I have this book and its very interesting. Some of the pictures that they have in it,were never putin any of the articles that they did on e the freight cars. The other book that i have from Kalmbach,is the Industries along the tracks book. This one too is an excellent book.[:D]

[Dough]

What about the Guide To Industries Along the Tracks that they always advertise in the upper right corner? It looks pretty interesting. Does anybody have it? Does it have much modern stuff or is it older industries?

http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/12256.html

Thanks!

[DigitalGriffin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jennifer RR


So, I would still appreciate some advice or a review on this book

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

I just picked up a copy this past week. I haven't had the chance to do in depth reading yet, but it looks highly informative. It's mainly historical in nature with a few tips for your model rail road thrown in, along with a several actual yard layouts. I'll see if I can get you a scan of the contents page.

Is there anything in particular you are looking for?

~Don

[Phil1361]

I have just started reading the Guide to Freight Yards book so I really can't give an opinion on it just yet.

By the way I bought both books, Guide to Freight Yards and Industires along the tracks from www.Amazon.com Amazon had (and may still have) a special, both books for $26 and I choose Super Saver Shipping (free shipping but it takes a few extra days to arrive). I don't think I could find it cheaper plus it saved me a 45 minute drive to LHS.

[DSchmitt]

The Guide to Freight Yards is worth having.

It dicusses the basic elements of a freight yard, their relationshipto eachother and how they function in the movement of freight cars.

This is followed by examples from famous model railroads, and prototype examples that can be emulated on a model railroad.

There is also a short chapter on making a yard look real (scenery).

The book finishes up with a chapter on staging.

[Anonymous]

I have both the Freight Yard and Locomotove Servicing Terminal books, and both are definately worth reading and having. The most valuable thing I found was the distillation of 30+ years of MR nuggets into one little volume, with both proto and model photos and explanations. Even for an old hat, it's a good reference.

My $0.02

-dave

[Anonymous]

Ok, looks like I'll buy it. I was planning on the Engine Servicing book so I'll just make it a pair.
Thanks everyone!
Jennifer

[Anonymous]

Jennifer,
If you are planning anything newer than a transition era layout, the Enginge Servicing Terminal book is useless. Just a few pages of diesel/modern era and very little photography. What I have found with the Kalmbach books I have so far is they cater to steam and old stuff. Also, I buy the books to give me photos to help me design my RR, but they don't help ME much at all. I have found much better info doing searches online. If you go to the Amazon site, you can browse through a few pages of each book you are interested in first. It usually shows the index, contents page, and 4 or 5 pages of text. I have noticed on these forums that a lot of the members have bottomless pockets when it comes to Model Railroading funds and price is NEVER an object. I saw someone mention that it "won't break the bank" buying the book, but $20 wasted on useless material is $20 that could be spent elsewhere for the rest of us that don't have unlimited funds. If you need the info to help you build your RR, check it out thoroughly first before you get 5 cases of buyers remorse like I did with the 5 Kalmbach books I have purchased, which total near $125. That would have bought me a Digitrax Zephyr on E-bay, far more valuable then these books.
Just my $.02 (or $125.00) worth.

[randybc2003]

I have a lot of the old magazines, and have the opinion that the guide is somewhat anemic. But I am somewhat of an old crunudgon. I have John Armstrong's book on planning, and Bruce Chub's work on operations. I rember plans and layouts that showed Chama CO - a division point, and other stuff for switching layouts and yards. I did notice that it has up-to-date stuff, including a reprint of an article (by Koster I think) on Yard Throats; with examples from his layouts, and MR&T, Cat Mtn. & Santa Fe, and a sample of (1:1) SANTA FE throat.
I did get their Loco Facilities book. It is true it has stuff for steam, but it does have modern facilities too. I used their articles to build several models of my own, - including scratchbuildig a gallows turntable w/ "audio jack" pin, and remodeled IHC's open top water tank according to the procedures used for the Atlas tank. Also, I built a woodshed and loading platform to wood up my woodburners.
Long & Short: I haven't bought the freight yard book - I have old collections & references. I think it is good start-ups though. Check Kalmbach's store though, I think John Armstrong's book is in it's third edition - and might be a superior choice.
Keep on Rollin' [:D]

[darth9x9]

I finished reading the book the other day. I found it to not only be useful as a collection of "MR nuggest" as posted above but also as an analysis tool. Now when I look at a track plan or a real yard, I can see and/or appreciate what each track is(was) for. The other big thing to take away from the book as they repeat it several times is that a yard is not (normally) a destination for cars. This should have a big impact on those modelers who enjoy operations and those that are considering operations. I am glad I purchased the book.