Looking for a good book about the history of trains in Europe

husafreak Apr 16, 2019

  1. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    I'm a newcomer to the world of trains and interested (initially) in European models sold by Marklin. Can anyone recommend a comprehensive book on the history of European trains to the present day? There are many books and some highly specialized but I just want to read about the history of real trains, particularly engine development, in an entertaining way. It doesn't have to do with models. Thanks
     
  2. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    Man, I'd love to find that too! European railroads tend to stay within a nation, and with the patriotic aspect and the different languages, all the books I've seen are terribly limited. Either they only cover one country, or they cover only one international system like Wagons-Lits (the Orient Express) or TEE.

    I hope somebody knows something I don't. Failing that, maybe someone here will be inspired to write one.
     
  3. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    About european trains, one has to know that indeed they are related to nations. German brands are not the same than italian, that are not the same than austrian, that are not the same than french, that are not the same than swiss, etc.

    And about Marklin, 85% of their stuff is german, 7% is swiss, 5% is american (mostly freelanced) and the 3% remaining share themselves among a very few belgian, a very few austrian, and that's nearly all.

    Dom
     
    acptulsa likes this.
  4. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    THat's it in a "nutshell" then ;) I'll ask then or look for a book on the history of German trains to learn more about my Marklin's.
     
  5. Rio Grande

    Rio Grande TrainBoard Member

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    To put almost 200 years of railroading in a book menas to scratch the surface. It would make sense if you look for certain epoches, like Bundesbahn 3 and 4 (1949-1989) i.e.
    Mattias
     
  6. minesweeper

    minesweeper TrainBoard Member

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    The VGB editorial group has plenty, unfortunately as long as i know all of them are in german language.
    They are the German equivalent of kalmbach, and also have an app on the apple store from which you can download books saving the huge expenses of shipping.
    You may wish to check the UK market for some english language magazines or books on german railways.
    Do NOT rely on UK information or actual practice since UK was an isolated system in europe until the channel tunnel opened, and starting from the loading gauge everything is different.

    Inviato dal mio BLN-L21 utilizzando Tapatalk
     
  7. minesweeper

    minesweeper TrainBoard Member

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  8. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    Wow. Lots of specialized books!
     
  9. konrad.malkowski

    konrad.malkowski TrainBoard Member

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    Yup. They also have books with car designs so if you are inclined that way you can try to scratch build :)
     
  10. southernnscale

    southernnscale TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm always looking for information on trains and Specification. But most information is hard to fine I enjoy Drawing and 3D printing a lot of different trains not always proto type because of the information and photo I fine to help! Since they can print different types of metal that makes it even more fun!
     
  11. minesweeper

    minesweeper TrainBoard Member

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    This is not a book, but has a lot of peculiar and different infos on european railways history
    https://retours.eu/en/
     
    husafreak and Rip Track like this.
  12. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    OMG that is awesome! I love the posters and pictures. A modern art form. Maybe because of my architectural background the link to this site https://retours.eu/en/ was very entertaining, thank you.
    Today I purchased two books on trains, Train: Riding the rails that created the modern world... and The complete book of North American Railroading, for my Kindle. I'll let you know how I like them.
     
  13. husafreak

    husafreak TrainBoard Member

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    I found the perfect book for me recently. Although it is about North American trains it is very informative and ended up being exactly what I was hoping for. The books I see about European railroading are mostly in other languages but the development of trains must be very similar here and there.
    I got the Kindle edition of "The Complete Book Of North American Railroading", multiple authors. So far I have only read chapters 4-6 which deal with Steam, Electric, and Diesel-Electric locomotives. I now have a pretty good understanding of the development of locomotives and their power systems. It has cleared up a lot of "why is it this or that way" for me. Plus the book is heavily illustrated with color pictures which show up nicely on my iPad. Highly recommended for any newbie to the great world of trains.
     

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