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Newsletter - DECEMBER 2006
Previous Newsletters (ALL 2006)
Adult T’Shirt Medium Adult T’Shirt Large Adult T’Shirt XLarge Adult T’Shirt XXLarge
Union Pacific Challenger Mousepad 7”X9” Mousepads (also giant coasters). £6.00 (FREE UK p&p)
Locomotive Rosters & News 2007
872 ROSTERS - ALL MAJOR RAILROAD SYSTEMS OF NORTH AMERICA * BNSF * CN * CP * CSX * KCS * NS * UP Including short term leased and 2007 new orders - 37,000 locos incl. Instant ID of any loco with latest data, easy railroad comparisons, the choice book of the major railroads operation departments & demanding railfans. * Softback * 6.75" x 4"
£ 14.00 (Incl. UK p&p)
New Books From
The Model Railroader’s Guide to Coal Railroading Tony Koester
Provides readers with a handy reference for modeling their own coal hauling prototype-based or freelance railroads. Chapters introduce readers to coal and the coal industry, and includes information on modeling coal trains, company towns, and coal customers, plus operating tips. 8.25 x 10.25; 96 pages; 130 color & 70 b&w photos; 20 illus; softcover
£ 12.95 (Incl. UK p&p)
New Book From SIGNATURE PRESS
Santa Fe Locomotive Development
Santa Fe steam power in the twentieth century was distinctive and often technologically advanced. This book presents the development of locomotives, from early designs of the nineteenth century, through the "supreme steam" of the 1930s, with Santa Fe's superb 4-8-4 and 2-10-4 locomotives, and the simultaneous explorations of pioneer diesel power. The author, Larry Brasher, is a noted Santa Fe historian. This book will be a welcome treat for anyone who is interested in the history of the Santa Fe, and of course for fans of locomotive development and improvement. The book has 308 pages, 296 photos, and an endsheet map.
£ 42.00 (Incl. UK p&p)
Rock Island Trackside 1960-1980 with George Strombeck by Greg Stout
Passenger trains were the chief focus of George Strombeck’s camera, but freight operations are certainly not neglected in this new book examining the two decade decline of the Rock Island.
£ 39.00 (Incl. UK p&p)
Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific In Color by David C. Schauer
Operations of the DW&P are examined from the steam to diesel era in this new book. Equipment, RDC’s, facilities and much more!
Erie Lackawanna Trackside with the McCarthys by Jos.H., Jos. M. and John A. McCarthy
Joe McCarthy’s two sons accompanied him on photographic expeditions on the Erie Lackawanna and grew up with their own photographic interpretation of the Friendly Service Route.
Trackside around West Virginia 1963-1968 with Bob Withers by Bob Withers
Journalist Bob Withers relates his early railfanning days on the B&O, C&O, N&W and shortlines in his home state.
New Book From MBI
Chessie System by Jerry Doyle
Formed as a holding company in 1972, the Chessie System remains one of the most unique stories in American railroad history. Created from three great railways—the mighty Baltimore & Ohio, the refined Chesapeake & Ohio, and the small but feisty Western Maryland—the Chessie was most renowned (aside from its stylized take on the C&O's kitten logo) for its innovations and advanced technologies. This history of the railroad traces its origins from the first affiliation of the B&O and C&0 in the early 1960s to the inclusion of the WM a decade later and the 1980 merger with Seaboard Coast Line before launching into an examination of the Chessie System itself. Highlights include coverage of the Chessie's operating divisions, major facilities, diesel fleet, and 1987 integration into CSX Transportation.
£ 26.00 (Incl. UK p&p)
Steam Trains: A Modern View of Yesterday's Railroads by James P. Bell
Few images speak as clearly of a time and a place as a dramatic black-and-white photograph of an American steam locomotive powering through that storied era of railroad history. All the new photographs capture the bygone age of steam rail against the settings of its heyday, including period architecture and other details. The result is the crisp, stunning quality of contemporary photography of the iconic locomotives of yesteryear. Featured trains include the Milwaukee Road; the Cumbres and Toltec snowplow runs; the Cotton Belt 819 in Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois; the Savannah and Atlanta No. 750; the Frisco 1522 in Missouri; the Norfolk and Western 611 and 1218 in Georgia and Tennessee; the Union Pacific 3985 in Wyoming, Nebraska and Arkansas -these are just some of the historic runs and routes Steam Trains brings to life with its evocative photographs and accompanying narrative accounts of the locomotives that defined an era. Format: Hardbound, Pages: 192, 10.5" x 12",
Milwaukee Road's Hiawathas John Gruber with Brian Solomon
The Milwaukee Road’s Hiawathas passenger trains were renowned for their unparalleled speeds between Chicago and the Twin Cities, and admired for their styling. Long appreciated for its broad passenger network, it was the first of what would eventually become several passenger trains running under the Hiawatha moniker. John Gruber and Brian Solomon, examine the circumstances leading up to the development and inauguration of Hiawatha services, the trains’ revered A-class Atlantic and P7 Hudson steam power, the roles played by such famed industrial designers as Otto Kubler and Brooks Stevens, and the expansion of services through much of the Midwest and eventually to the Pacific Northwest with the renaming of the Olympian. Format: Hardbound,Pages: 160, 8.63w x 11.13h
New Books From 4 Ways West
Pennsylvania Railroad Color Pictorial Volume 5: Chicago to Phillipsburg, New Jersey by David R. Sweetland
Continuing this series on the Pennsylvania Railroad diesel-electric locomotives, this volume discusses switchers. The main feature is an all-color spectacular venture across the line from Chicago to Philipsburg, New Jersey. Hard Cover. Pages: 128
Iron Highway" is Canadian Pacific's premium service intermodal train. This service is a lifeline for several major Canadian retailer's wishing to avoid the often congested Ontario Hwy. 401. Twice daily, an eastbound "Iron Highway' leaves Lambton Yard in Toronto, ON destined for St. Luc Yard in Montreal, QC, where the westbound train is loaded for its return journey along the 580km run. Led by two SD40-2's, the "Iron Highway" roars through the heat of the Ontario countryside on its 7.5 hour mission to deliver its vital T.O.F.C. cargo to its customers on time. This programme shows a typical day. We get to see the loading of freight, the make up of the train, the freight manifest being prepared and the despatchers control of the train throughout its journey.
61 mins colour narration Regular price £20.95 NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 14th January 2006 - £20.00 (free UK & European p&p)
A tale of two railways, and the history of rail operations in Canada's Ottawa Valley.
The story of how the railways of the Ottawa Valley developed over the past 140 years. Ride with the crews of today's trains working through the valley on the Ottawa Valley Rail Link and the Ottawa Central Railway and learn the history of the railways in this part of Canada. Its conception and building are discussed and we learn that originally it was built to 5 ft 6inch gauge and was converted to the standard 4ft 81/2 inch gauge by 300 men in a single day! To help efficiency during the war block signalling was introduced but not completed until 1947. As we continue to watch the working day on the current line we learn of mergers and how the railway is run today e.g. we see units being isolated, whilst running, for fuel efficiency - they are reconnected when extra power is needed for grades etc. This is a fascinating insight into the working of the line and the winter snow gives an added zest leaving us with a real feeling for, and understanding of, railroading in this part of Canada. Much much more than just a runby programme.
86 mins colour narration Regular price £22.95 NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 14th January 2006 - £22.00 (free UK & European p&p)
Created in 1930 by consolidating remaining trackage of Union Traction Co., Northern Indiana Railroad, and Interstate Public Service Co., the Indiana Railroad offered service from Louisville to Ft Wayne. In 1934, lines of the Terre Haute. Indianapolis & Eastern and Dayton & Western were added while other lines were being abandoned, bringing service from Terre Haute to Ohio with connections at Dayton. Indianapolis, the hub of the system, was served by the world's largest traction terminal. But the end was only a few years away and the last trains ran In 1941. In this collection of very rare film by Richard H. George , Frank Schlegel and George Meyer, you'll see the famous high speed lightweight cars, Railway Post Office cars, the unique freight equipment of this long lost company. Additional bonus footage by Dr. Howard Blackburn.
56 mins + 34 mins bonus colour narration Regular price £22.95 NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 14th January 2006 - £22.00 (free UK & European p&p)
3 main lines meets in Centralia, splitting downtown. Canadian National's former Illinois Central, BNSF's former Burlington and NS's former Southern. Several days of action with a wide variety of paint schemes, coal trains, rack trains, manifests and intermodal together with Amtrak. Take a lineside view of this very busy and interesting area with lots to see.
120 mins colour Minimal narration Regular price £19.95 NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 14th January 2006 - £19.00 (free UK & European p&p)
AVAILABLE IN REGULAR OR WIDESCREEN FORMAT. Please state preference under 'SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS' when ordering or regular format will automatically be sent. If you are viewing these titles on a widescreen television ask for the widescreen version for best results.
We visit the busy stations of Sud Bahnhof, West Bahnhof and Meidling, Austria’s busiest railway station. We see long distance trains, with Austrian, German, Hungarian and Czech power, and both diesel and electric hauled local trains and several freight’s, with both OBB and private operator power. Then we follow the main line to Saint Polten, visiting several local stations before spending time at St. Polten, where we see, in addition to the standard gauge activity, several trains on the narrow gauge Mariazellerbahn. Finally, we follow the main line south over Semmering pass, ending at Semmering where we get a look into the control room. A busy railroad, with lots of action.
120 mins colour Features narration On/Off Regular price £21.95 NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 14th January 2006 - £21.00 (free UK & European p&p)
We finish the basement railroad room to accommodate this very large HO scale narrow gauge railroad and show you how we painted and blended the sky blue backdrop, and added artwork by our artist friend Pat Lemmerman. Next, see the benchwork construction and layout of track for the very large Durango Yard. We install a Walthers Turntable and scratch build the Durango Roundhouse. Our yard contains Dual gauge track and turnouts of the 1930's - requiring a dual gauge turntable as well! The Los Animas River runs nearby so we added this important detail for the length of the entire yard. The town of Durango is roughed out, including a space for the Durango station- We add the reverse loop around the back of the roundhouse and some "swishes" to allow the dual gauge track to go from three rail to four rail so both standard gauge and narrow gauge engines can use the turntable then we add the ash pit. On to blend the backdrop into the yard, including some beautiful Cottonwood trees along the river. At the end of the yard, we build a small timber trestle to cross the river. A control panel is constructed to hold the toggle switches that power our yard switch machines. Lastly, we hook up a PTC Turntable controller for automatic alignment of our turntable to all those tracks. COMPUTER ROM FEATURE-Load this DVD into your PC for HIGH-RES photos of the layout which you can print out at home.
56 mins colour Narration Regular price £14.95 NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 14th January 2006 - £14.00 (free UK & European p&p)
In volume 2, we cover the building of the complete HO scale Graden Flower Mill. Then tackle the coal pit and pit ramp in our Durango Yard. We finish the scenery along the river at Durango, including some great looking Cottonwood trees... and we add rocks and shrubs to blend our scenery to the backdrop... and naturalise along the river bank. The cover the large Durango Yard with more cinder ballast, and finish the scenery along the backdrop. Lastly, we’ll build a concrete street for the town of Durango... and we’ll ballast the track in front of the station that leads out of Durango. COMPUTER ROM FEATURE-Load this DVD into your PC for HIGH-RES photos of the layout which you can print out on your own printer.
62 mins colour Narration Regular price £14.95 NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 14th January 2006 - £14.00 (free UK & European p&p)
SPECIAL OFFER - BOTH VOLUMES FOR ONLY £ 25
NOW AVAILABLE CONTENTS:
Men at Work A Reading Company engineer snags train orders from a 2-8-2 cab. Robert S. McGonigalTracking Midwestern F Units in the 1970's A young Twin Cities railfan was surrounded by the F units of four railroads. Steve GlischinskiClassics Today: Jewel of a Museum Piece Duluth''s Soo Line FP7 still gets out on the road. Steve Glischinski"Ya Gotta Get Coal Experience" A Union Pacific student fireman in oil-burner territory gets some schooling in the art of coal-firing. Les ClarkGreat Photographers: Bob Searle: Born to Railroading The steam locomotive occupied center stage for this northern Californian. Tom DillBird's-Eye View: Three Major New York Central Yards Annotated aerial views of Selkirk, N.Y.; Frontier Yard (Buffalo), N.Y.; and Niles, Mich. Busy Hands, Busy Feet A photographer makes the most of a MoPac Eagle''s passage. Dan PopePutting Locomotives to the Test Dynamometer cars and stationary test plants helped in the design of better locomotives. William D. MiddletonOne Day at . . . Kansas City Passenger trains and engine terminals were the highlights of a sunny, snow-covered January 4, 1968. J. David InglesOnline extra: 1940''s action at Kansas City Union Station Senior Editor Dave Ingles saw a lot of variety and action during his 1968 day at Kansas City, but the show was even more impressive two decades earlier, right after World War II, as seen in two video clips from the Herron Rail Video program "Glory Machines, Vol. 5." Indiana Train-Ride Trilogy A noted artist and Hoosier State native remembers trips on the Pennsylvania, New York Central, and Monon. Gil ReidCrescent City Nirvana What better place to watch passenger trains from than the cab of a New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal switcher? C. K. Marsh Jr.
£ 4.50 (Incl. UK p&p)
NOW AVAILABLE:
Celebrate the Great Days of Steam! Take a trip back to the great days of railroading with Steam Glory 2, the new Special Edition from the editors of Classic Trains. From majestic giants to loveable little engines, the full range of steam locomotives is covered in Steam Glory 2. First-hand accounts from enginemen put you in the cab. Dramatic photography brings the majesty of steam to life. Steam Glory 2 covers the world of steam with: 116 oversized pages Detailed studies of outstanding locomotives 100+ photos, including rare color Tales from men who were there And much more!
Christmas Stocking Fillers
#261 dramatically portrayed hard working action climbing 1% grade through fresh snow, cab ride with engineer & fireman describing the operation. Dramatic shots of 261 emerging out of fog and action packed pacing (from adjacent track) of 261 blasting through snow. Exciting & dramatic!
54 mins colour narration Regular price £20.95 CHRISTMAS OFFER - £16.00 (free UK & European p&p)
Vol.1 Spring & Summmer 55 mins We see B&M operations in the Boston suburban area in 1951. You'll find commuter trains hauled by 4-6-2's, freights pulled by 2-8-0's and mainline passenger runs handled by 4-8-2's and EMD E7 diesels. Track repairs 1950s style + yards, stations and loads of action-pure nostalgia. Colour from 16mm film - well photographed. Vol. 2 Fall & Winter 55 mins Lots of snow here as plow extras keep the line open. Includes a visit to Boston's North Station where 2-6-0's, 4-6-2's, 4-8-4's and diesels are in profusion! Atlantics, Pacifics, Mountains, Moguls, Switchers are all here.
90 mins colour narration Regular price £25.95 CHRISTMAS OFFER - £19.00 (free UK & European p&p)
Steam locomotives of the former Great Western Railway at work at various locations on British Railways between 1955 and 1963. [1] At Newton Abbot Station [3:30] * [2] 'King John' climbing from Stoneycombe to Dainton Tunnel [1:34] * [3] At the Newton Abbot end of Dainton Tunnel [6:11] * [4] At the Totnes end of Dainton Tunnel [2:52]* [5] Inside Tigley Signal Box [2:18] [6] The slip coach just detached at Saunderton Summit [1:01] * [7] The slip coach stops and is taken to Princes Risborough Station [3:23] * [8] A morning at Princes Risborough Station [5:16] * [9] 'King George II' leaving Princes Risborough with an up express [2:57] * [10] A Cheltenham-London express climbs towards Sapperton Tunnel [2:44] * [11] A freight train climbs past Abergavenny Junction Station [4:01] * [12] A passenger train climbs past Abergavenny Junction Station [2:41] * [13] A freight train and 'City of Truro' with a special train, near Ruabon [2:29] * [14] 'City of Truro'with a special train at Crumlin [2:58] [15] A 'Dukedog' leaving Bow Street with a train for Aberystwyth [1:44] * [16] At Exeter, St. Davids Station [5:11] * [17] 'King Edward VII' with the up 'Inter City' at Princes Risborough [1:57] * [18] An up local passenger train and a down express at Princes Risborough [1:13] * [19] A down express and up push and pull train at Princes Risborough [1:33] * [20] At Hatton Station [4:45] * [21] 'Hinton Manor' with the up 'Cambrian Coast Express' approaching Talerddig [2:57] * [22] The last passenger train from Watlington [1:56]
Regular price £9.95 CHRISTMAS OFFER - £9.00 (Incl. UK p&p)
A variety of steam locomotives heard at work in AUSTRIA, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, ROMANIA, SLOVENIA and SPAIN Between 1954 and 1973 1 GERMANY Altenbeken Viaduct - 3 Cylinder: 2-10-0 with Freight Train. [7.40] 2 GERMANY Winter - Schiefe Ebene - 2-10-0 with Frieght Train. [3.15] 3 ITALY Valdaora Stn: Level Crossing - Passenger Train. [4.30] 4 FRANCE Rouen Stn: 'Pacific in Stn. with Paris - Le Havre express. Freight train exit from tunnel. Passenger train heads past to Le Havre. [3.45] 5 FRANCE Mont D'or - Paris express with 141 A 2-8-2 Tank loco: Summer evening - approach from distance on steep climb - pass and climb away towards Eygurand. [3.10] 6 FRANCE Randan Stn. Level Crossing, winter evening 141R 2-8-2 Loco with passenger train - appproach - stop and wait - Start, pass and away with watery whistling. [3.10] 7&8 ROMANIA Babadag Stn: - Heavy Freight train approach, delayed, and struggle past. Mafei Pacific loco: with passenger train held in Stn: - whistle loudly, start & hurry past and away. [5.20] 9 ROMANIA Near loco: sheds at very busy junction station at Oradea. Locos wait at sheds and several varied trains approach and pass. [7.45] 10 SLOVENIA Drizzley evening beside a quarry in mountains where a heavy freight train approaches on a lengthy horseshoe curve, climbs past & away towards a tunnel. [8.20] 11 SPAIN In the yard at a small station on a winter evening. An express passenger train whistles and passes through the station where two locomotives are waiting in the yard with a lengthy freight train. Points are changed, two locomotives head the train past, out of the yard and climb away into the distance in the darkness. [7.20] 12 SPAIN At a busy station at Castajon de Abro a Correo passenger train starts out from the station and heads past. [3.00] 13 GERMANY Near Herzenhain Station, at the summit of a 1 in 17 climb, an 0-10-0 tank loco: steadily approaches with a passenger train and accelerates away at the summit. [2.40] 14 AUSTRIA Before electrification the Vienna-Rome Express climbs past Eichberg headed by two hardworking locomotives assisted by another banking engine at the rear. [2.30] 15 ITALY In the station yard at Venice the Orient Express, headed by a single locomotive, struggles past and away on the rising gradient in 1955, during a film production.. [3.35]
Locomotives of the former Great Eastern Railway at work in Eastern England. Track One Lineside recordings on the Haverhill - Long Melford Line.
A Journey with a J.15. to Bury-St-Edmunds. Track Two At Ely Station. Track Three A journey with a Claud from Newmarket to Kennett. Track Four At Brundall station and a B.I2. on the Southend line. Track Five A journey with a Claud from Cantley to Yarmouth. Track Six At Cambridge Station Track Seven At South Lynn station.
Here we present the first SPV/Transacord CD for Peter Handford portraying steam sounds from the 1950s and 1960s. All tracks are stereo, most processed for stereo effect. A very exciting CD which is much superior to any previous S&D recording and will be wanted by all Peter Handford fans, indeed audio fans everywhere.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS MAKE GREAT GIFTS - ENYOYED ALL YEAR ROUND!
DIESEL ERA (£5.40 - sub £32) Nov/Dec issue available
CLASSIC TRAINS (£4.25 - sub £17.00) Winter issue available
TRAINS (£4.25 - sub £45) January issue available
MODEL RAILROADER (£4.25 - sub £47) January issue available
NARROW GAUGE & SHORTLINE GAZETTE (£5.25 - sub £29) July/Aug issue available
GARDEN RAILWAYS (£4.95 - sub £28) Nov/Dec issue available
RAILFAN (£3.20 - sub £33) Dec issue available
RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN (£3.40 - sub £35) Dec issue available
N SCALE (£5.25 - sub £29) Nov/Dec issue available
FINESCALE MODELER (£5.00 - sub £47 / 10 issues ) Dec issue available
Magazines UK p&p now included - Rest of Europe + £ 0.50 Annual Sub: UK p&p incl. - Europe £5
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Seaboard Southern NMRA 2006 Sat 25th Nov. 2006 The Holbrook Club about
Warley Exhibition Sat - Sun 2nd-3rd Dec. 2006 NEC, Birmingham about
Your chance to watch the DVDs, see the books and browse the magazines See y’all there!
Last official day for Christmas post is Tuesday 19th December To ensure Christmas deliveries please order as soon as possible - we are extremely busy at this time of year!
ANN’S MEANDERINGS
It is hard to believe that another year has passed. This time last year I thought old age had caught up with me. Climbing the stairs seemed like scaling Everest but my lack of energy was down to cancer and not the advancing years. Twelve months later and a horrible operation behind me I feel a new woman. In the meantime Stuart and the team at SPV have been working flat out. Our DVD catalogue is growing like Topsy and of course there is a huge growth in the amount of books we stock. This does not help our office tidiness, as anyone that ventures to Upper Harbledown will testify. It is difficult to get into the barn as boxes of books arriving meet with sacks of orders being dispatched. It has got so bad that we have worn out three UPS drivers!
Stuart and Lainy were in America earlier this year meeting new producers and enjoying the Californian sunshine. Stuart had to pat a cab forward in remembrance of Ian. Stu, like Ian, always has a worried look – mind you if I had to deal with all the techi & web stuff I think I would too. Lainy is going great guns seeking out new products – books, dvd, cards, calendars t shirts etc. Sarah, who looks after our wholesale customers, was let out of the office to help out at the Chatham show. She found the experience an eye opener but enjoyed it sufficiently to risk it again next year. If only she could drive our old van we would let her stray further afield. As always Chrissie has been doing sterling service dispatching your orders although the new postal systems (and an abortive attempt to move house) nearly drove her to drink!
So what I would like to say from all of us is, “Do have a wonderful Christmas” and if the festive season gets too much, escape to the nearest telly with a beer/ glass of plonk and watch a soothing SPV dvd.
Merry Christmas & wishing you a happy and healthy 2007
Ann, Stu, Lainy, Chrissie & Sarah.
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