Customer Reviews

Model Railroader Cyclopedia, Vol. 1: Steam Locomotives

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Maybe I looked at a different book than the previous reviewer. This is dynamite. It's obviously great for model makers, but I like it just for the reference info and the photographs. Couple this with Drury's Guide to North American Steam Locomotives and it's a great reference set.

The book all model railroader must have. Blueprints are perfect to check dimensions of models and there is also the models' histories.

I've been searching for this book for years and finally I have one. A must for model locomotive builders and detailer or anyone interested in the workings and operation of steam locomotives!! The information in this volume is outstanding and the illustration are perfect for understanding the placement and operation of the many appliances that made a locomotive operate. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in steam locomotives modeling or prototype locomotives.

Were someone to come up to me and ask for a single book that would be the most informative to introduce them to steam locomotives, I would not hesitate to recommend this one. It has a very informative section that discusses basic steam locomotive theory and the systems, controls and devices on a steam locomotive and what each does. There is a wonderful cut-away drawing of a typical steam locomotive that shows these components in their relationship to others.

The remainder of the book explains the various locomotive classifications and provides numerous examples of each classification, along with hundreds of pictures that illustrate them very well.

Highly recommended.

If you are looking for a first class reference on both vintage and modern North American steam locomotives, you need not look any further than this book. The drawings are crisp and accurate, and the photos and illustrations include essential information on the various fittings present on all steam locomotives. The late Linn Westcott did hobbyists proud with this work, and despite its' age it is still fresh. The introductory chapter gives all the pertinent information required to understand how steam locomotives work, and the descriptive texts for each drawing, while short, give the reader enough information on the locomotive type. The index and bibliographic references give good information to those readers who wish to dig deeper into the subject. The best part is that you can copy or scan the drawings for personal use without excessive restriction, which is a great help for model railroaders who kitbash or build their own locomotives. If you are into virtual railroading and build your own 3D models for the various rail simulators using 3D modelling software, the drawings with their dimensions make excellent backdrops when building 3D models. I recommend this book to any railroad modeller who contemplates detailing, kitbashing, or scratchbuilding his own model steam locomotives.

I purchased this book in the early 1960's and have enjoyed it ever since. I am glad to see it in print again so that another generation can enjoy it also. It contains many illustrations and scale drawings (HO) and I have made several models from it.

This is the ultimate if you are a railroad nut like me. Simply the best reference out there. Nuff said!

This is a great refernce tool for any train buff or model railroader because it tells you everything and I mean everything you ever questioned or wondered about with regard to steam locamotive engines. Great value for the price

This is a good overview of mostly standard guage steam engines. There are some good drawings that could be used to create or enhance an engine model. There is very little information on narrow guage and none on two foot guage engines.