SPV - Railroad books and videos

Model Railroader’s Guide to Industries Along the Tracks 3
By Jeff Wilson

This volume contains a variety of prototype photos and suggestions for how to model and place industries on your layouts for realistic operation.

Softcover; 8.25 x 10.75; 88 pages; 76 color photos; 45 b&w photos;

£ 12.95(Incl. UK p&p)

New Book From SIGNATURE PRESS

Texas & New Orleans
By A.D. McLennan

There has long been a need for a thorough history of the Texas & New Orleans and its predecessors, from the beginnings in the mid-19th century, through linking El Paso and New Orleans in 1883, to the merger with Southern Pacific in 1961. This book fills that need.
Component railroads of the T&NO included the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio; the Houston & Texas Central; the Houston East & West Texas; the Louisiana Western; Morgan's Louisiana & Texas Railroad and Steamship Company; the T&NO itself; and the San Antonio & Aransas Pass.
The book opens with an introductory section of background information, then provides a general description of the steam locomotives which powered the T&NO until dieselization was completed in the 1950s.
The coverage continues with chapters on particular segments of the T&NO: El Paso to Houston, the Dallas & Austin Divisions, the Victoria Division, the East Texas lines, and Houston to New Orleans. A separate chapter describes the Houston and Galveston terminals. A concluding chapter covers the 1961 merger into SP, as well as the dieselization in the last decade of the T&NO?s separate existence.
Each chapter is rich in details of operation, with extensive information from timetables and dispatcher sheets, as well as from company sources and the railroad literature. Throughout the book, numerous in-service photos at various locations document the history. The railroad had a complex roster of motive power in steam days, when many locomotives had been inherited from predecessor roads. Accordingly, detailed locomotive rosters are included, and essential drawings and maps further enrich the story. A bibliography and an index round out the book.
The Texas & New Orleans was an essential part of the Southern Pacific. The book's 327 photos, most from company and museum archives and never before published, together with 39 maps and drawings, and bibliography, make it unusually complete and authoritative. This book provides a coverage that every railroad enthusiast, and of course Texas & New Orleans and Southern Pacific fans in particular, will enjoy.

£ 44.00 (Incl. UK p&p)

New Books From

Ann Arbor Railroad In Color History & Operations 1869 to 1976
by Robert I. Warrick

The Ann Arbor Railroad was as much a steamship line as a railroad; this text rich volume follows Michigan’s most distinctive railroad from beginning to end with stunning photographs that will surprise readers.

£ 39.00 (Incl. UK p&p)

Trackside in the Rust Belt 1957-1977 with Cal Banse
by Stephen M. Timko

Erie RR operator Cal Banse took his camera to work and on excursions in eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the steel and coal country. Cal was photographing the railroad scene from the end of steam to the introduction of second generation diesels in a territory known for its heavy industry.

£ 39.00 (Incl. UK p&p)

New Book From MBI

Subways of the World
Author: STAN FISCHLER

Dig a token out of your pocket and head for the turnstiles of the worlds great subways in this fabulous and colorful journey! Learn about the design and construction history of each subway, the features that make each system unique, and the variety of rolling stock and motive power found on their tracks. Examines the premier subways of London, New York, Moscow, Paris, Toronto, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Tokyo. Climb aboard.
15 b&w ill., 75 color. Format: Softbound Pages: 96 Length: 8.25w x 9h

£ 10.00 (Incl. UK p&p)

FOUR WAY WEST
SPECIAL OFFER!

WISCONSIN CENTRAL HERITAGE - VOLUME 1
by John Leopard

This book covers the Wisconsin Central system wide: locomotives, operations, and structures. Take a photographic tour of the lines operated by the WC during the company's 14 year existence.
hardcover, all-color, 128 pages.

was ~~£ 39.00~~ NOW ONLY £ 30.00 (Incl. UK p&p)

DVDS

Highrail Through The Rockies
by Highball Productions

See the spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rocky Mountains along Canadian Pacific’s main line between Exshaw, and Lake Louise, Alberta. We rode the line in the back of a track inspectors hirail pickup. You’ll see the line as a train crew would see it, including Morant’s Curve!

120 mins colour NO NARRATION
Regular price £18.00
NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 18th July 2008 - £17.00 (free UK & European p&p)

Marshall Canyon
by Highball Productions

UP and CP action in Marshall Canyon, Washington located southwest of Spokane, the canyon funnels 3 railroads the BNSF Railway, Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific, up to the high desert of the Columbia Plateau. Includes the Palouse River & Coulee County RR. Latah Bridge in Spokane to Cheney.

WIDESCREEN ONLY
105 mins colour Features narration on/off and a marker for each train.
Regular price £21.00
NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 18th July 2008 - £20.00 (free UK & European p&p)

The Milwaukee Road in the Midwest, Vol. 1
by CVision Productions

The Milwaukee Road was a Class One railroad that operated until 1986. The Milwaukee had most of its presence in the Midwest with many branch lines and secondary routes. This classic railroad sported many different locomotives on its roster and played an important part in the Midwest economy. Photographer Fred Crissey captured several Midwestern Milwaukee Road lines in the 1970's, and in Volume 1 of The Milwaukee Road, C. Vision features Fred's films in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
You will be amazed when you see 4 SW-1 locomotives pulling a local freight between Rushford and Austin, Minnesota. Also, GP-20's are in charge of a train between Marquette and Mason City, Iowa. Then we capture trains along the Mississippi River from Savanna, Illinois and northward in Iowa. It is on this line that "F" units were charge of freights! Fred also followed the Milwaukee Road from Kansas City, Missouri to Ottumwa, Iowa just after the Soo Line purchased the Milwaukee in 1986. Finally, you will enjoy the action on two Wisconsin Branch Lines from 1978. An SD-9 works the Mineral Point to Janesville train and SD-10 number 555 is in charge of the Sparta to Viroqua train.
Great Milwaukee Road action is here for you to enjoy in C. Vision Productions "The Milwaukee Road, Volume 1."

80 mins colour Narration
Regular price £20.00
NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 18th July 2008 - £19.00 (free UK & European p&p)

Key System Scrapbook Part 1
by Charles Smiley Presents

See the Key System as never before. All the lines, A through H, and the streetcar lines are represented. Ride the Key ferry boats and interurban units from the beginning in 1903 to the end in 1958. There are countless visual gems in this feature that bring back a ‘vintage’ Eastbay lifestyle.
FEATURING THE WWII RICHMOND SHIPYARD RY.
A special section is on the Richmond Shipyard Railway during WWII. The construction, refurbishment of the elderly, ancient IRT cars, and the operation of the war-trains to the Kaiser Shipyard are covered.
A BAY AREA SPECIAL PRESENTATION
See the wonderful Key System Ferry Boats and a pleasant way to cross the San Francisco Bay for millions of commuters every year.

Take yourself back to the first years of the electric interurban line built by the genius of “Borax Smith” and his partner, Frank C. Havens, in the effort to develop the Eastbay Area.

We also bring cameo appearances of the Southern Pacific’s electric IER Lines, SP and Santa Fe steam trains, and San Francisco Muni streetcars that gave the greater Bay Area a fine and complete transportation system.

The looming war, the US Navy and the 1939 Treasure Island World’s Fair bring some new nostalgic views and a profound perspective on the eve of World War II.

Don’t miss the coming Key System Bridge Train units and the building of the Bay Bridge that defined how the San Francisco and Eastbay communities cemented their linkage to become a ‘seamless’ and prosperous region. We also bring accurate, ‘synchronized’ sound to these historic rail treasures...

62 mins colour Narration
Regular price £20.00
NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 18th July 2008 - £19.00 (free UK & European p&p)

Along The Animas River
by Highball Productions

Exciting narrow gauge steam action in the spectacular scenery of Colorado’s Animas River Canyon. A fall Durango & Silverton photographers special provides both sunny and moody, atmospheric weather, and a winter special has glorious sunshine with deep snow. K-28 2-8-2 #478 is the power for the specials, and K-36 2-8-2’s are in charge of the regular passenger trains. Don’t miss the action!.

WIDESCREEN ONLY
90 mins colour Features narration on/off
Regular price £21.00
NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 18th July 2008 - £20.00 (free UK & European p&p)

Steam to Los Angeles

50th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal
It’s now known as one of the most dramatically exciting side-by-side steam locomotives scenes ever staged – UP 8444 and SP 4449 running on the parallel tracks leading up Cajon Pass. The two mighty locomotives were leaving the 50th Anniversary Celebration at Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal in 1989 and Pentrex camera crews were trackside and onboard to capture incredible footage of this once-in-a-lifetime event!
We begin with UP 8444’s journey from Cheyenne, Wyoming in April 1989 and follow the powerful 4-8-4 across Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada, to California. With its matched set of 14 Armour yellow passenger cars, the train also included UP’s vintage E-9 diesel number 951 and its new SD60M number 6085 which would also be on display during the festivities. Steaming across the Western landscapes and through scenic canyons, the 8444 looks fantastic.
Then, as both the SP 4999 and UP 8444 parade side-by-side into the LAUPT station, our camera catches the Grand Entry from the middle of the two tracks— it’s a classic shot! We spend some time seeing the displays at the celebration, especially the photographers’ special 3-across line up of Southern Pacific’s and Union Pacific’s E-9s and Santa Fe’s F-7 vintage diesels.
The highlight of the show is side-by-side departure of SP 4449 and UP 8444 from San Bernardino over Cajon Pass, with UP running on the lower Santa Fe tracks and SP 4449 is on the upper SP line. You’ll see amazing coverage all the way to Sullivan’s Curve and beyond! Our DVD release of Steam to Los Angeles is one railroading adventure every railfan will want to own!

75 mins colour Narration
SPECIAL PRICE £10.00 (free UK & European p&p)

TRACKS AHEAD SERIES 6

Season 6 is on a three disk set, with added features, and 5.1 surround sound audio
Disk 1
Program #601 Alco PA1
Go into the hills of West Virginia on a three line railroad, ride a historic steam train that has been lovingly restored, and meet a man who recreates Hollywood magic every day. Spencer Christian again hosts this 13-part series on railroading.
Program #602 Wisconsin & Southern Railroad
Experience the birth of the Wisconsin & Southern. Visit a man who has combined his interest in model railroading with computer control.
Program #603 Digital Command Control
See how a revolution in model railroad control is allowing multiple train operation on the same track, experience the “up north” feeling visiting an outdoor railroad in the woods of Northern Michigan, and visit the Utah Belt Railroad in a basement in Missouri.
Program #604 Ireland Steam Tour
Experience the beauty of the Irish countryside on a steam trip through the Suir Valley, go to Iowa to see how a couple has turned their front yard into a wonderful garden railroad display, visit the Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana, and talk with Shirley Burman, the expert on the role that women have played in railroading.
DVD Extra - China Rail Trip, Music Video
Disk 2
Program #605 Amusement Park Trains
Takes a look at the history of amusement park trains, which are still in use today. Travel to California, and find an operating steam railroad that brings back the look and feel of a hundred years ago, take a nostalgic trip back to the days when Lionel catalogues were Christmas wish lists, and go the Montana state fair.
Program #606 The White Creek Railroad
Ride the White Creek Railroad, located on one hundred acres in western Michigan. Visit a railroad themed Arizona B&B, see what a retired NASA engineer does for relaxation, and visit an exhibit that is billed as the most comprehensive display of toy trains in America.
Program #607 Grand Canyon Hotels
Take a look at a number of historic and opulent old railroad hotels near the Grand Canyon, discover the sights of Pennsylvania come to life in miniature, take a five minute railroad trip between Tacoma and the Stampede Pass, and head to eastern Oregon where a dedicated group of volunteers is preserving the steam heritage of the gold fields.
Program #608 Holiday in Cincinnati
Visit several fantastic holiday-themed layouts in Cincinnati. See how to own a museum quality model railroad, ride along on a holiday excursion as the Grand Canyon Railroad brings the Polar Express to life, and visit a garden railroad whose owner has moved tons of rock.
Program #609 Carpathian Logging Railroad
Experience one of the last steam logging railroads in the world, located in a deep mountain valley in Romania. Tracks Ahead visits one of the oldest zoos west of the Mississippi, meets a Lionel collector who is as interested in the stories of the people behind the items, and visit a trolley museum in southeastern Wisconsin.
Disk 3
Program #610 Miniature Wonderland
Tracks Ahead visits Hamburg, Germany to see the largest HO layout in the world. Visit an O gauge layout which models the three areas of the Grand Canyon state, visit with a man who is a living repository for the history of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and head into the hills of Colorado for a most unusual tourist attraction.
Program #611 The Great Train Story
Take a trip to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry to see the all new, Great Train Story. Go back in time for a visit to one day in 1938 West Virginia, ride both a historic steam train and a riverboat in Connecticut.
Program #612 Rügen Island Railway
Join the Tracks Ahead crew as they explore the Rügenish Kleinbahn on an island in the Baltic Sea. Ride a restored portion of the old Sacramento Northern Railroad in central California, visit with a Colorado artist whose passions for photography and painting are carried over into his layout, and visit one of the largest home model railroad layouts around.
Program #613 Empire Builder
Tracks Ahead talks with a man whose passion for model trains and the outdoors, has allowed him to combine both into a successful business. Look in on a garden railroad which has continued to discover gold, experience some of the last, scheduled steam railroad operations in the world, and visit Malcolm Furlow, a man who is artist, cowboy, and designer with a passion for trains.
Program #614 G Gauge in Mesa
Visit an award winning chef whose passion for garden railroading has resulted in a football field of trains. Go into the Carpathian Mountains in western Romania to rediscover a narrow gauge line that is undergoing a rebirth, visit with an artist and modeler whose books have become a model railroader mainstay, visit a Florida company that can build the display of your dreams.

3 Disc Set colour Narration on/off
Regular price £22
NEW RELEASE OFFER UNTIL 18th July 2008 - £21.00 (free UK & European p&p)