An excellent resource for Steam/Transiton era modelers

While looking for some information on Sand Houses, I came upon this item in Google Books. It is an old, out of print, and fortunately out of copyright book. Google books has it a a free (although fairly large) download. "Buildings and Structures of American Railroads: A Reference Book" It is over 500 pages long, but has some excellent diagrams and articles about the different designs and functions of the structures. It was published in 1893, but as a friend of mine used to say, "The Railroad, 100 years of experience unencumbered by progress". (he spent almost 40 years with the railroad, so he was allowed). From what I looked through, there is a lot of good info here that would hold true throughout the steam era.

Buildings and Structures of American ... - Google Book Search

It's worth a look.
Dan S.

 

Ok, I give up! Whats the real link to see that book?

Ben

 

waddya mean? it's Buildings and Structures of American ... - Google Book Search

 

What do I mean is that the preview button is non existent, meaning we can't view the book. I suspect being outside of the U.S would be the reason of this, like the Nova site from PBS.
What is weird is that I can preview other books, but not the one discuss here. It seems to still be copyrighted or something.

Ben

 

maybe try going to http:\\books.google.com and paste in "books?id=gIs5AAAAMAAJ" at the end of it in your browser. It's no longer under copyright. Maybe there is just an issue with the DNS. Sorry it's giving you trouble.
Dan S.

http:\\books.google.com/books?id=gIs5AAAAMAAJ

 

I have the same problem in UK also - there is no book to download, only links to buy or to find in the library
weird ...
Chris

 

Ben may be right. Google might be blocking non-US IPs. This is a quote from one of the Google Books disclaimers.

"Do not assume that just because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can’t offer guidance on whether any specific use of any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book’s appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe."

I don't know why some other books are visible and this one is not, but it is sort of unfortunate.
Dan S.

 

Well the Google site says Beta, so I can imagine there are still issues around.

I think I've click all available links to search for the book preview, I the beginning I thought it was a joke.

anyhow, thanks Dan for the info, and thanks Chris for saying something.

Ben

 

I downloaded it and did a quick scroll through. If anyone else wants and can't get it let me know and I'll e-mail it.

 

I downloaded it, too, but the file is 27 Meg. A bit large for most e-mail providers. I justfinished running it through Acrobat and reduced the file size, but it is still 15 Meg. So, I broke it into 6 pieces of 2-2.5 Meg. So, if you can't recieve 27 meg, but can receive 3 Meg at a time, Let me know, and I can send it out in pieces of about 100 pages each.

Dan S.

 

Didn't even think of file size, it downloaded like it was 50kb ; )

 

To bad those boosk are just for you US Guys, no change here in Switzerland for a download.

 

the problem remains everywhere outside US
I can't get these books either :-(
isn't there a way to overcome this problem? - there must be some computer whizzos here
so much for www being truly global...
Chris

 

Rob, you are my hero
I am downloading now!
Chris

later edit:
sounds like my joy was premature :-(
first download was corrupted (damaged file)

will keep trying...

 

If we supply the direct link here, can you download?

Here's the 1906 Dictionary link:

Car Builders' Cyclopedia of American ... - Google Book Search


If that doesn't work as it seems Trainboard does some sniffing, try a RIGHT CLICK on the link and copy the link location.

...don

 

thanks Don,
if it only was that simple
no, the links are fine
it is the IP code that allows Goggle to discriminate between US and non-US public
downloading via proxy servers seem to corrupt the file...
so for the moment I (and many others) are stuck
the easiest solution is , if some kind soul would up-load the books to some server where the rest of us could download them - but this is probably best discussed in private ;-)
Chris

 

Thank you Robert for the idea of using a proxy tool, it worked for me, and the pdf has no corruption in them. (plain luck I suppose)

Ben