Customer Reviews

Rio Grande Railroad (Railroad Color History)

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

 

 

James (jim) Griffin has provided a desirable snapshot and synopsis of the D&RGW historical issues with a select compilation of other 'fans' photos as well as his own.

The book describes the time and scale, significant persons and financial history providing great context, expansion and demise of the integral operations and relationships between owners and operators, as well as the 'state and federal' legal issues that are unique to the United States.

James uses modern photography and earlier 20thC from unpublished private sources to highlight the country and 'real estate' that the D&RGW subsequently served.

As a coffee table book (not meant to be a death knell!) for the detailed pictures, a text reference to the operations and hardships encountered, and even better pictorial reference for modellers and enthusiasts showing great detail and variation in the 'living' equipment and trains that real people used. For a non-US train enthusiast I learnt a lot from the book and James has done an excellent job capturing the feel of the topic.

And it is a modellers precis and reference to be admired!

Although tinged with sentiment and a legacy to a disappearing era of corporate leadership, this helps the book personify the way RG employees appeared to enjoy their burdens and lament the loss of their independence. Highly Recommended!

For more information see the D&RGW Yahoo Group/ elist. Many technical experts and historians exists till researching the topic for whatever hobby purposes they desire!
cheers
dave

This book contains breathtaking photographs and easy to read and understand text. It is interesting to see the changes over the years and the information is well documented. I'm not a "train buff," but I enjoyed reading this book and looking at the photos. We keep it on our coffee table so others can view it as well. I'm sure it'd be a valuable addition to any library, especially those who are fans of the Rio Grande Railroad.

If you are familiar with the Railroad Color History series, then this book is pretty much the same as the others. I enjoyed the many shots of the Rio Grande tackling the Rocky Mountains. The history of the railroad is superbly written and the photos are very well done. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Rio Grande or railroads in general.

Good review of the history, would have liked to see better route maps.