Does anyone know where I can find this 2004 MRR/Kalmbach book for a reasonable price? I've looked all over and so far the cheapest I've seen it is $75 used at Amazon. I've looked on other book sites for model railroaders, and ebay, and no one seems to have it.
I'm sure it is out of print ...I wonder if Kalmbach will ever reprint it. It seems like one of those books that would always be in demand for newer modelers who are trying to figure out how and where to place a yard in their layout.
Andy
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Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/
From Barns an Noble as an e-book.
I would send a message to Kalmbach customer service, they might have a copy or at least it would let them know people are asking for it. Also I would look to see if there is a newer book that maybe has the same information. I really like their books but many times the same information just gets repackaged so I would never pay over MSRP for one of their books.
Check eBay periodically. One recently sold for less than $39.99. The listing was a Buy It Now or Best Offer.
Rich
Alton Junction
Had not thought of B&N, however, it says its available for the NOOK, which I don't have. I'll get it from there if its compatible on an iMac desktop. Don't know anyone who has a NOOK so if anyone here knows if that version of the book would be compatible let me know. It mentions "Nook-compatible devices.." whatever those are...
Keep looking - I got my copy at a train show where the NMRA division running the show serves as a repository for the estates of deceased members. I think I paid $10. But I will say that I had been looking for a copy for years, and would have paid far more if I could only have found a copy for sale.
I do not know why Kalmbach allowed that book to go out of print relatively soon. There are model railroad books that go out of date -- as good as it is, Linn Westcott's book on wiring is like a trip back in time in some important ways, and Andy Sperandeo's excellent book on wiring is sort of a repository of the early pre-history of DCC. And even Art Curren's marvelous kitbashing book utilizes kits that are now getting harder to find, although the techniques are timeless and he actually imparts more information on HOW to kitbash than does Tony Koester's kitbashing book which replaced Curren's in the Kalmbach list.
But then there are books like John Armstrong's Track Planning for Realistic Operation that contain almost nothing that would make them dated and in need of a freshening up. I'd put Sperandeo's book on yards in that category. Perhaps it was not a huge seller for Kalmbach -- too narrow a topic?
Dave Nelson
dknelsonBut then there are books like John Armstrong's Track Planning for Realistic Operation that contain almost nothing that would make them dated and in need of a freshening up. I'd put Sperandeo's book on yards in that category.
And that's exactly what I was thinking. Find me a modeler who *doesn't* have a yard (even a tiny one) somewhere on their layout. Seems like info that will be needed in perpetuity..
If your collection of older MRs goes deep, or if you have access to the past issue archive on this website, I suggest these articles until you can secure a copy of Sperandeo's book
First Andy Sperandeo himself wrote two good if similar articles on yard design in MR itself: 13 Tips in June 2010 and 10 Tips in December 2004.
Two excellent John Armstrong articles in June 1955 MR and August 1955 MR.
Gordon Odegard in June 1975 MR.
And a classic yard that gets close attention in the Sperandeo book, Whit Towers's Alturas & Lone Pine, which Towers wrote up in July 1961 MR.
richhotrain Check eBay periodically. One recently sold for less than $39.99. The listing was a Buy It Now or Best Offer. Rich
Nook readers are available for many devices. You don't need actual Nook hardware. I have the Nook app on my ipad. Surely they have a version for OSX.
Clearly there is a demand for this book if all these crazy inflated prices for used copies still generate sales. I think it was $19.95 new, maybe even $14.95 since it's 16 years old. I'm not parting with mine.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
B&N has the e-version for under $15, according to their below link:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/model-railroaders-guide-to-freight-yards-andy-sperandeo/1006360181;jsessionid=711AB710782AD6C60F187C4BE9EA13BE.prodny_store02-atgap15?ean=9780890245767&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20Inc
I would gladly sell my mint condition copy for $40 + postage.
As a book collector and avid reader I suggest patience. Books go OOP all the time and then come back as a reprint or new improved edition. During that intevening period prices get crazy and people in a hurry get fleeced. Also don't rely on the internet. Check your local hobby shop as well as brick and mortar booksellers new and used.
Andy, check your PM's
James in Texas
Over it's life in print, Track Planning for Realistic Operation went through 3 editions and dozens of printings. I have a second and third edition, I should look for a first edition just to have a complete collection. I find the third edition stropped out useful material in order to add a chapter on modern operation which holds zero interest for me.
Creative Layout Design is another of Armstrongs that should still be around, there are a lot of good ideas in that book and very little that could be considered dated.
rrinker Creative Layout Design is another of Armstrongs that should still be around, there are a lot of good ideas in that book and very little that could be considered dated.
About 3 years ago I found a copy at a used book store for $2.75. It is in nearly new condition. Which was a find for me as the one I bought in the 70's is so worn out that many pages are now loose.
So I second looking through used book stores.
Paul
I find KH to be over priced. A publisher that lets in demand books to go out of publish, while still publishing books that extremely outdate just because of an author's name to be pocket diggers. I guess all of us has to pay for the staff to build their toy train on location.
dknelsonI do not know why Kalmbach allowed that book to go out of print relatively soon. There are model railroad books that go out of date
Because print runs are like limited runs of models - they aren't constantly cranking out new prints of the book. They'd have to set up a second printing of the book to produce more volume.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
Woodys Workshop I find KH to be over priced. A publisher that lets in demand books to go out of publish, while still publishing books that extremely outdate just because of an author's name to be pocket diggers. I guess all of us has to pay for the staff to build their toy train on location.
Though you're entitled to your opinion, I'm allowed to point out that it's uninformed.
Books that sell get more printings.
Books that don't sell go out of print.
It's that simple.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Steven Otte Woodys Workshop I find KH to be over priced. A publisher that lets in demand books to go out of publish, while still publishing books that extremely outdate just because of an author's name to be pocket diggers. I guess all of us has to pay for the staff to build their toy train on location. Though you're entitled to your opinion, I'm allowed to point out that it's uninformed. Books that sell get more printings. Books that don't sell go out of print. It's that simple.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
angelob6660 So your saying that this book didn't perform well. Which is a surprise for me and everybody else; since freight yards are a big decision on layouts.
Nope. It sold well enough in its day. I'm saying that everyone who wanted a copy got one, then sales dropped off. We don't print on demand. It costs money to print books and money to have them hanging around in a warehouse. While there are some people who wish they could order a copy, it's not a big enough number to justify another printing. That may well change later, but it's the case right now.
angelob6660 Which is a surprise for me and everybody else; since freight yards are a big decision on layouts.
My experience with freight yards is that you fit in everything you can, then wish you had more room because everything you wanted did not fit.
I could study a book on planning freight yards for days, and that still will not change the physical reality that I do not have room for diesel service track, caboose track, or more than four yard tracks.
I don't know anyone that would have benefitted from a lot of information of yard design. Maybe you guys in N scale with huge basements. No one here has basements.
Anyway, I can see a book on yard design having limited appeal. That is all I was trying to say.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
dknelson If your collection of older MRs goes deep, or if you have access to the past issue archive on this website, I suggest these articles until you can secure a copy of Sperandeo's book First Andy Sperandeo himself wrote two good if similar articles on yard design in MR itself: 13 Tips in June 2010 and 10 Tips in December 2004. Two excellent John Armstrong articles in June 1955 MR and August 1955 MR. Gordon Odegard in June 1975 MR. And a classic yard that gets close attention in the Sperandeo book, Whit Towers's Alturas & Lone Pine, which Towers wrote up in July 1961 MR. Dave Nelson
Hi Dave, Thanks for the MRR Digi-Archive Info'. I've got your post pasted into a Word doc and have just been looking thru the articles quoted. I'll save them for the weekend. Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
Steven Otte angelob6660 So your saying that this book didn't perform well. Which is a surprise for me and everybody else; since freight yards are a big decision on layouts. Nope. It sold well enough in its day. I'm saying that everyone who wanted a copy got one, then sales dropped off. We don't print on demand. It costs money to print books and money to have them hanging around in a warehouse. While there are some people who wish they could order a copy, it's not a big enough number to justify another printing. That may well change later, but it's the case right now.
richhotrain Steven, I'll accept your word as gospel truth, but it still surprises me to read it. I agree with the OP that it seems like that book would always be in demand for newer modelers who are trying to figure out how and where to place a yard in their layout.
Steven, I'll accept your word as gospel truth, but it still surprises me to read it. I agree with the OP that it seems like that book would always be in demand for newer modelers who are trying to figure out how and where to place a yard in their layout.
Some modelers might prefer to spend their limited hobby-book budget on a book of more general appeal, like Armstrong's track planning book. Others might be modeling a specific prototype and feel they don't need a book since they're following actual track arrangements. Yet others might not feel they have enough room for a big enough yard to justify buying a whole book on the topic. Yet others would rather model passenger traffic or a bridge line that goes to and from staging. And so on and so on. Generally, the more specialized a book topic is, the more fervently some people want it, but the fewer people want it overall.
Alsp many of his books speak to those with the room to follow prototype, most model railroaders don't have that room or the budget or both.
The problem I have with what I'm reading is this:
There is a book, published by Kalmbach, that is long out of print but desired by folks interested in seeing if it contains relevant solutions;
Their access to this book is solely in the hands either of luck, or paying an extortionate price to 'classic book sellers' -- profit from which Kalmbach derives not a cent of revenue;
Kalmbach has no plans to reprint the thing, and arguably never will get enough demand in one place unless the book is extensively revised and expanded, which we can take as highly unlikely in today's circumstances;
Kalmbach could easily provide a scan of this book as part of its for-pay Digital Archive, and thereby solve the would-be readers' problems without the need for pious-sounding publication-cost excuses. Or supply it as an e-book themselves, and be a resource instead of dog in the manger about the copyrighted content.
rrebellAlsp many of his books speak to those with the room to follow prototype, most model railroaders don't have that room or the budget or both.
Yes, Andy was very devoted to studying the prototype and following their practice as much as possible.
With the exception of ny N Scale "Dream House" layout of the early 1990s, I have never had the luxury of space, so I need to choose what is important to me.
Must have: 18 stall roundhouse for my brass steamers.
Can do without: Diesel locomotive refueling/service tracks.
The prototype could never make these decisions in 1954.
OvermodKalmbach could easily provide a scan of this book as part of its for-pay Digital Archive, and thereby solve the would-be readers' problems without the need for pious-sounding publication-cost excuses. Or supply it as an e-book themselves, and be a resource instead of dog in the manger about the copyrighted content.
It's not as easy converting an old print edition to an electronic version as it seems. If it was straight print copy, maybe. If it contains lots of photos, print, and charts, the cost is high.
https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2012/10/is-it-worth-converting-an-old-book-into-an-ebook/
If you are talking about a simple page-by-page scan to be made into a PDF or similar form, maybe it's worth it, maybe not. I guess legally you'd make sure author royalties and other issues are settled.
Again, what Steve Otte said applies. If a company is going to go to the work and expense, they want to make a profit. Even converting a book of this type to electronic form for limited sales is not something they would want to do without a pretty sure idea they will sell more than 50 or 60 copies.
York1 John
York1It's not as easy converting an old print edition to an electronic version as it seems. If it was straight print copy, maybe. If it contains lots of photos, print, and charts, the cost is high.
Certainly plenty more difficult books were efficiently scanned for the T1Trust repository, so I can say for a fact it is 'doable' on relatively small budget.
How dare a company want to make a profit!
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!