Customer Reviews

The Model Railroader's Guide to Industries Along the Tracks (Model Railroader Books)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best railroad books I own. It covers several of the most used railroad industries and no only explains how to use them in a model railroad, but explains how each work and what type of cars to use (and for what era). I thought the book would be good for information on industries for a model railroad, but found it to be a very interesting and educational book about how each industry works. I goes over meat packing and livestock shipping, explains how crude oil is refined into various produts, types and uses for coal, just to name a few. Even if you are not planning a model, this book is a great aid for those who are interested is what those industries along the railroad really do. I would class this book as a must have.

Very informative book that I have found very helpful I am starting my very first model railroad and this book has helped me to understand exactly what and how these industries worked and what type of boxcars,tankcars,auto carriers etc. started and the improvments made over time I found this book to be very in depth on these industries without boring me.
I also found this to be a great read

Railroad modelers get involved in because they like trains. They try to make their layouts as realistic as possible in terms of appearance and operation. They generally do a fair job on the "train" end of things but the scheme can often fall apart when it comes to the industries served by the trains. Many of us don't have a clue as to how these industries operate or how those operations are dependent upon rail service. This book addresses that big problem and does so very well.

The book consists of several chapters, each devoted to a particular industry. Within those chapters, the industry is explained in terms of getting the raw materials and shipping the finished products. This helps to design realistic layouts. Each chapter has a bit of space devoted to the types of rolling stock used by each industry and further explains the changes that occurred over historical time.

The Chapter are organized thus:

Grain: Grain elevators, flour and feed mills, rail operations.
Petroleum: Modeling oil refineries and fuel dealers
Coal Mining: shaft mines, open pit mines and railroad coal operations
Automotive: Manufacturing plants, transloading centers and auto parts traffic
Produce: Packing houses, produce markets and refrigerator car traffic
Livestock: Modeling stockyards, packing companies and branch houses

Each of these chapters is well written and organized. I am very happy to learn that another volume is on its way.

This book is an excellent reference for anyone planning to add trackside industries to his or her model railroad. The book presents information about typical industries that can found near railroads. Details of the operations, procedures, buildings and other structures used by these industries are included. Even though this book is a very good source of information about trackside industries, it does not contain information on how models of these industries can actually be constructed. So, if you intend to add industries to your model railroad, you may find that a book on constructing models of industrial type buildings will also be very helpful.

Originally purchased to build a grainary, I have read and reread many sections on fuel, etc. and am thinking of a whole new layout to add much more. This is a priceless reference to have on you bench when not only designing and planning a layout, but to detail what you've got. I recommend highly.

I work in the video game industry and am working on a game that has a railroad level in it. These model railroad books are the perfect reference! The whole book is filled with great ideas and each idea is supported with real photographs. A+ One of the best
"reference" books I've ever purchased!

This is a useful book as it provides some good information about several industries around railroads. Specifically, it covers grain, petroleum, coal mining, automotive, produce and livestock.

However, I feel it's a bit overrated and am actually a bit disappointed with the book. Specifically, I was surprised that it does not cover container shipping, mining for iron and other metals, smelting and casting, quarries, or lumber business. These are pretty essential and won't do without a railroad.

Furthermore, the coverage of industries is more a coverage of historical development than specific ideas and ins and outs from modeler's point of view. The pictures are nice, but where are the typical dimensions and proportions (or at least suggested ranges) of various industrial structures? I realize that silos come in various sizes and shapes, but I expected at least some discussion of dimensions of typical structures.

I would have like a more thorough analysis of each of the facilities with functional descriptions and designs than the history. This isn't a thorough guide, but if you've never been around railroads and the industries covered in this book than it may be useful to you. Otherwise, it's probably not detailed enough.

I am very pleased with the book. It has added to the other books in the series that I have bought. Now, to find the time to use it!!

I really love this series. I bought vol. 1, 3, & 4 then went back and got vol. 2 to round out the set.

What is great is that you learn about the industries, what kind of railcars they use, and how to model them in different eras.

The author does a great job of "simplifying" operations down to a level that outsiders can understand. It gives you enough detail without overwhelming you with details. Like he says, "There are books written about each of these industries".

Try out one of the volumes, then go back like I did and get the rest. Well worth the price.