Page 8 - March April 2009

Book Review 1
SP AC class Cab-Forward 4-8-8-2 Pictorial AC10 #4205 to AC12# 4294
Vol 13 (revised)
Details:
Soft cover, A4 portrait type book 74 pages. All photos are black and white.
Monte Vista publishing
Compiled by Jeff Ainsworth
Cost $24.95
Good points:
For SP steam fans, especially of the AC Cab-forward class, this book has some really nice photos taken during a timescale of January 1945 to June 1956.
Not all (90) locomotives are featured, but the ones that are, are in really good poses.
Some are work weary and some are exceptionally clean. The final two photos taken in February 1946 and January 1950 depict the only cab-forward (4294) out of all the classes from AC3 to AC12 to escape the cutter's torch. This is the one that is preserved in the California State Railroad Muuseum in Old Sacramento.
Bad points:
Not a lot really.
Some of the locations are not readily identified; and the use of (?) is quite frequent.
As to the town of Likely in California, there is such a place and it is on the Modoc line.
More "rivet counter" details could have been added such as water and oil capacity, tractive effort, builder's numbers, on and off the roster etc to "pad out" the pages, would be nice.
A brief history of the reasons for the creation of the cab-forward in the first instance would be of interest to various steam-era SP fans.
To sum up:
A nice collection of photos in a reasonably priced, soft cover book ($24.95) and a must for SP fans, although more info could be added.
Having not seen the original Vol 13 I assume this is an improve- ment.
Book Review 2
Details:
Southern Pacific Historic Diesels Vol 14: SD45T-2 Author: Joseph A Strapac
Publisher: Shacle Tree books
Cost $32.95
Brief details:
Soft cover (cover printed in colour) Locomotive covered: SD45T-2 Pages: 128
All photos are in black and white.
Good points:
The book/class is broken into various eras from the introduction of the class in 1972 to gradual phasing out of the class over the last few years, with many of the units moving on to pastures (and owners) new in the form of leasing companies.
Lots of good photographs in all locations ranging from the Pacific shores to the flatlands of Illinois and all points in between.
Most of the photos are accompanied by very informative text about the loco, the location and the train type/movement.
Bad points:
None if you are an SP fan!
But there are a few, which are my personal views.
There could have been more colour photos, but this would have greatly increased the cover price.
The paper used in printing was a matt type that detracts from the detail of the pictures: gloss paper would have allowed you to see those details.
The photos are good, but because of the "medium" used they appear "grey"; but hey, that's SP!
To sum up:
Lots of photos to help the SP modeller.
The book can be found discounted at various specialist US bookshops.
Lots of credit is given to all photographers and contributors in this publication.
A book worth adding to your collection.
Bang for your buck on this one, again 7 out of 10.
Bang for your buck: 7 out of 10
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8 ROUNDHOUSE
Lindsay Beare