[CBQ] Burt Mall's new steam book

[<gvlc6@hotmail.com>]

BRHS mbrs rcvd a flyer concerning this new book with the most recent Zephyr 
mailing.  Burt also had a table at the Spring meet where you could buy directly 
& save a few $$$.  I've known Burt for years so knew it would be a good book as 
a) he actually worked fro CB&Q and b) is a nice guy who is as honest as the day 
is long.  Thus the flyer was very accurate.  Actually 31+ % of the books photos 
are CB&Q and many of the C&NW/IC are in Q territory.  What I especially liked 
was that being a Q employee in various roles for 5 yrs gave Burt access to 
locations and info that most railfans did not have.  Thus you get a great book 
for these reasons: 1) being self-published he got the book done the way he 
wanted (larger than normal format); 2) his commentary is excellent; 3) photos 
include 75 of the Q and 14 of C&S including at least 6 Q wheel arrangements 
inc. a rare view of a shop 0-6-0; 4) incidental views of freight cars & 
waycars, MoW, early diesels, servicing facilities, employees, etc & 5) only 5 
pics in the entire book have ever been published!   The rare pic to my mind 
though was not one of the behind the scenes Q steam loco pics but a color view 
of a 50' Central of Georgia box car behind an IC steam loco with the big oval 
'football' herald.  Although I have an HO model (early AHM) I'd never seen a 
color photo of the 50' proto.  (I know, you have to love freight cars to care!)
 Great job Burt!   (& if copies remain by Sept, I hope you have a table @ Rock 
Island!)                    Gerald
 PS - althouhg 4960 is on the cover, only 2 or 3 of the Q pics are of steam in 
fan service; note #4000 is shown being serviced for a revenue freight run very 
late in its career!  This is a book of work-a-day steam.