Re: [CBQ] New FW&D book!

["Louis Zadnichek via groups.io" <LZadnichek=aol.com@groups.io>]

December 24, 2021

 

Gerald - I couldn't agree more!  I purchased this book for a Christmas present to myself. It's a beauty and worth every penny.  The book answered so many questions I've had over the years concerning the FW&D and, in particular, its passenger trains. Steven Goen's beautifully illustrated and detail packed book is a "must" for any Burlington Route fan, modeler and historian's library - Louis

 

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL   

In a message dated 12/24/2021 1:34:23 PM Central Standard Time, gvlc6@hotmail.com writes:

 

To date, very little has been published for Ft Worth & Denver fans aka the southwest portion of the Burlington.  We have the 1953 (& a 2015 reprint) in-depth corporate history, "Gulf to the Rockies" (C&S/FtW&D) by Richard Overton & Steve Goen's 1996 pictorial from 4 Ways West.   That has now changed!  Continuing a series on Texas rail passenger service, Steve has done "Passenger Trains of Texas - Burlington Route".  

 

   I judge my 1,100+ railroad books by two criteria: how many sources were used by the author (Overton setting the standard) and how well the book is organized.  Steve has done very well in both respects.  Nearly 50 sources were used for the 165+ b/w &  50+ color photos and 50+ illustrations.  Sources include museums, universities and well-known Burlington figures such as Spoor, Holck, Wagoner & Danniel.  

 

  The book is a standard 8&3/4" x 11&1/2" hardbound with 184 pages of glossy stock.  A unique feature is use of the end sheets to share color views of 12 timetable covers from 1906-67 and 8 menu covers from 1941-58.   The many illustrations thruout the book include specific tables from vintage TT's, annual passes and brochures/advertisements.

 

  The truly unique feature, unlike other books focused on a railroad's passenger service, is that it is organized by routes/lines i.e. ranging from 36 & 82 mile long branches with mixed trains to the 'main' with the Texas & Sam Houston Zephyrs & the Zephyr-Rocket.   Thus each of the 11 chapters includes a color line drawing of the route, a timetable excerpt and history from inception to cessation.  For the era conscious modeler, the effects on service & equipment from the Depression, WWII, major wrecks & other benchmarks are covered.

 

   For the freight enthusiast there are quite a few vintage depot photos and a calendar quality pic of a 1932 mixed with a 4-4-0, two different Q outside braced boxcars & a combine.  As the FW&D was so far from Chicago management, it had an advantage & a disadvantage.  The plus was a bit more independence, the minus was a lower budget priority thus the use of hand-me-downs & older locos.  There was also a disproportionate use of doodlebugs, mixeds & shared trackage.

 

   Note: unique to ALL Burlington books, an entire page is devoted to the "Menk's a Fink!" turning point in BR history.

 

  All in all, this book, as a result, is a treat for ANY Burlington, fan, modeler and/or historian.  Published by Steve's "Texas Zephyr Publishing".

_._,_._,_

---

   Groups.io Links:

You receive all messages sent to this group.

View/Reply Online (#62935) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic
Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [archives@nauer.org]

_._,_._,_