Will be posting a brief review of the latest Rio Grande book I have: Rio Grande - Crest of The Rockies by Chuck Conway Picked up my signed copy from one of my NSLHS, where he was signing copies of his book! Will be there through 4PM today only. Heavy paper stock and ALL color! Sale priced at $74.95 today only. With a retail of $79.95. But, from what I've seen so far, looking through book, on ride home, well worth the price! Have a photo of Chuck and I, since Mom decided she HAD to get one! Had a nice chat as well, about book, a Monarch Branch trip I had wanted to take, and general stuff as well. Real nice guy! Despite a damaged Miniscus tendon in left knee, I HAD to get out of the house for a bit, to keep from going crazy! This was a perfect excuse! Gonna lay down and read book a bit later, so I'll see IF I can get a brief review posted later. IF you can afford it, this books is a definite MUST for the Rio Grande fan! :thumbs_up:
Finally feel good enough to do something! Contents: 1. Introduction A brief explaination to where the Rio Grande ran. Followed by a discussion with Dale Sanders, on the creation of another Rio Grande book. And what photos to use. Trying to avoid previously published color photos. They try to keep photos in geological sequence, and adding historical information to chapter introductions ans captions., as circumstances allowed. Also explaining how trains seen generated revenue for the railroad. As well as much information on locations along the railroad. And now begins an all color look at the "Scenic Line of the World". 2. Mile High City Discusses the railroad in denver. And how the railroad fit into Denver during its very early years. Explains operations out of Denver, including freight and passenger operations. How freight operations began at Burnham Yard itself. As well as how freight operations took place. Even explain maintenance facilities for locomotives, mentioning both steam and diesel eras. Finally ending with a brief description of the changes brought about with the Southern Pacific era and later. Followed by a page of Denver Union Station and several pages of color photos from the maintenance facilties. Both views inside the various buildings as well as views from outside. 3. The Joint Line Starts by talking about Joint Line history. And the railroads involved in the building and operation of the joint line. Talks about the operating agreement between the C&S/ATSF/DRGW under the USRA starting in 1918. Explains dispatching the line, after the Santa Fe and Rio Grande lines were combined, and flyovers removed, and how track maintenance was carried out. Talks about the introduction of unit trains by the Santa Fe and followed by those of the Rio Grande. Bringing up the end, is the mention of helper units on the various grain/coal trains that climb Palmer Divide. Ends with a mention of the of the end of operations over the Joint Line, by moving trains to tracks way east of Denver. Something yet to be done, by who and at what cost? Follows up with almost 2 dozen pages of Joint Line photos. Diesel - GP7/9 to SD40T-2 -, and some steam - from 1500 to 3600 series.. Many places unrecognizable due to development. Although, most areas can be found if one looks close enough. To be continued......
Dale Sanders Scenic Line Of the World Keith, Thanks for posting what you have so far. I like what I have happened across this Dale Sanders SLOTW book before from my local library and I've been strongly, and I mean strongly tempted to report it as lost to the library so I could keep it. Obviously, I could never truly enjoy it with a clear conscience and I returned it. Late, by and large, but still returned it. Why was I so tempted to keep Sanders' book? Because it's the one book you can show to anyone, not a just a railfan and certainly not just a Grande fan. You can show it to them as the best example of rail photography as art. As far as I have seen, SLOTW is the best photography book of the Rio Grande in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Sorry if I'm stepping on toes here. It truly is that good. If I had to pick three books that sum up my love for Colorado and her railroad heritage, this book would likely be sitting at the top of the stack. If Conway's book is comparable, I'm going to have to start saving my nickels. $160 is a lot of nickels. :coins:One... :coins:twoooo... :coins:threeeee.... sigh :tb-sad: ... Steve
Now, Maybe I ought to get off my rear end and continue posting my previously started review! Might get this one done just in time for Vol 2 to arrive! Kinda hope that Chuck does a signing again, when Vols 2-3 are eventually released. Will make sure I get mine signed again! Oh well.......Such as it is.
Thanks for the review Keith. I have heard only good things about Crest of the Rockies - it sounds like a must have although I wouldn't mind having a chance to thrumb through a copy - which will likely only make me want it more! BTW, I agree about Dale Sanders book "Scenic Line of the World". I've had my copy for nearly 10 years and love the large color format picturers. IIRC, it covers the "pure Rio Grande" of the post SP/D&RGW merger days of mostly 1989-1992 (approx) and shows mostly pure D&RGW power consists. Anyone interested in pre-1988 photo's might enjoy Ron C Hill's CRRM Annual 28 "Rio Grande, The Final Years. It covers mid-1970's thru 1988, all color.
That was one of the best "features" of that book. Very few bloody-nosed locos. I just saw that there's a 50% off sale on all Colorado Railroad Museum Annuals (except 29 and 30). Visit the museum store, make your pick and then enter AnnualSale for the discount code. The Rio Grande annual is there. Here's the cover: Gee, I'm starting to like this TB upgrade.
So now your telling me I paid too much! Half price! Crikey! Now if I could just find Crest of the Rockies for half price - $79 crikey! We'll I'll have to wait and see.
Jim, I think, one way or another, you're gonna have to bite the bullet!! Know I have at times! And I'm sure I'll have to do it again one day. FWIW: Does anyone have an updated list of DRGW books available? I'm sure there's a few that are out there, that I know nothing about, or don't remember! Thanks.
I'd like to say I have a new book, but my newest is "Last of the Breed" from Mike Danneman. A fantastic account of the D&RGW SD40T-2 ops at Helper Utah, and the last days of the Dirt Train.
Keith, I don't have a list, per se, but I can build one and put it on my site.:tb-nerd: If anyone has some "building blocks," I'd welcome them. :tb-smile: Steve
Lets see here is everything I can think of - I own all but the copies with asteriks: *Rio Grande: Rebel of the Rockies by Athearn Rio Grande: Ruler of the Rockies by RC Farewell B&W *Rio Grande: Secret Places Volume 1 by RC Farewell (Moffat Route etc) Rio Grande: Secret Places Volume 2 by RC Farewell (Ruby Canyon etc) mostly B&W Rio Grande West by Ron C Hill (b&w) Rio Grande: Memories of the Final Years by Ron C Hill (CRRM #28) all color Rio Grande in Color Vol 1 - Colorado by Ross Grenard 60's thru 80's Rio Grande in Color Vol 2 - Utah by James Sandrin 60's 70's and 80's Rio Grande in Color Vol 3 James Sandrin covers 40's thru early 70's *Rio Grande in Color Vol 4 *Rio Grande in Color Vol 5 (1980's) Rio Grande Railroad by James Griffin (color & b&w) Never on Wednesday by Loveman and Patrick (B&W) Twilight of the Rio Grande by Wesley Fox (B&W) last years of Rio Grande Zepyrs thru the Rockies, by Edmondson and Goodhart (all color) Rio Grande Diesels vol 1 by Joseph Strapac (b&w) 1st generation diesels Rio Grande Diesels vol 2 by Joseph Strapac (b&w) 2nd generation diesels Rio Grande Diesels vol 3 by Joseph Strapac (b&w) cabooses, passenger cars, late purchase & closing out the roster Colorful Colorado's Railroads of the 1960's by Ron C Hill Rio Grande Trackside with James Ozment, by James Sandrin (all color) 50's 60's and 70's Rio Grande Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment by Jim Eager *Crest of the Rockies by Chuck Conway *Last of a Breed by Mike Danneman
My favorite Trainboard advertiser/dealer had my copy autographed. Such a treat! I have actually operated on Mr. Danneman's layout, that was cool. He's a very personable guy. We just need to get him to become a member here!
Let me add a few to that list: The Moffat Road; Bollinger & Bauer (must have for D&SL/DNW&P fans) Scenic Line of the World; Dale Sanders (YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK. Thank me later! ) Portrait of a Silver Lady; MacGregor & Benson (WP, CB&Q as well as D&RGW) Mainline of the Rockies; Beebe & Clegg Superpower Railroad of the Rockies; LeMassena (all steam) A Century of Passenger Trains (and then some); Thode Rio Grande, Thru the Rockies; Danneman
Updated list this list (seems this forums won't let me edit my existing post?), don't know how I forget Scenic Line of the World since I own it too! *Rio Grande: Rebel of the Rockies by Athearn Rio Grande: Ruler of the Rockies by RC Farewell B&W *Rio Grande: Secret Places Volume 1 by RC Farewell (Moffat Route etc) Rio Grande: Secret Places Volume 2 by RC Farewell (Ruby Canyon etc) mostly B&W Rio Grande West by Ron C Hill (b&w) Rio Grande: Memories of the Final Years by Ron C Hill (CRRM #28) all color Rio Grande in Color Vol 1 - Colorado by Ross Grenard 60's thru 80's Rio Grande in Color Vol 2 - Utah by James Sandrin 60's 70's and 80's Rio Grande in Color Vol 3 James Sandrin covers 40's thru early 70's *Rio Grande in Color Vol 4 *Rio Grande in Color Vol 5 (1980's) Rio Grande Railroad by James Griffin (color & b&w) Never on Wednesday by Loveman and Patrick (B&W) Twilight of the Rio Grande by Wesley Fox (B&W) last years of Rio Grande Zepyrs thru the Rockies, by Edmondson and Goodhart (all color) Rio Grande Diesels vol 1 by Joseph Strapac (b&w) 1st generation diesels Rio Grande Diesels vol 2 by Joseph Strapac (b&w) 2nd generation diesels Rio Grande Diesels vol 3 by Joseph Strapac (b&w) cabooses, passenger cars, late purchase & closing out the roster Colorful Colorado's Railroads of the 1960's by Ron C Hill Rio Grande Trackside with James Ozment, by James Sandrin (all color) 50's 60's and 70's Rio Grande Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment by Jim Eager *Crest of the Rockies by Chuck Conway *Last of a Breed by Mike Danneman *The Moffat Road; Bollinger & Bauer (must have for D&SL/DNW&P fans) Scenic Line of the World; Dale Sanders (YOU MUST HAVE THIS BOOK. Thank me later! ) *Portrait of a Silver Lady; MacGregor & Benson (WP, CB&Q as well as D&RGW) *Mainline of the Rockies; Beebe & Clegg *Superpower Railroad of the Rockies; LeMassena (all steam) *A Century of Passenger Trains (and then some); Thode *Rio Grande, Thru the Rockies; Danneman
