Steam Locomotives: Whistling, Chugging, Smoking Iron Horses of the Past [Hardcover]

Karl Zimmermann (Author, Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. A noted train authority and photographer shares his love of smoking iron horses of the past, recalling his childhood fascination with steamers and describing the history of locomotives, beginning with Englishman George Stephenson's 1825 design of the Locomotion. Zimmermann also explains the Whyte Classification System for categorizing trains (which involves counting the number of wheels), as well as the names given to locomotives, the track gauges, and the inner workings of these complex machines. Crisp, clear photographs appear on nearly every page, adding interest and extending the text. Captions clearly indicate when the trains pictured are located in countries other than the U.S. Web sites noting American steam engines that operate for tourists and a glossary round out this informative photo-essay that will be popular with train enthusiasts everywhere. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590781651
• ISBN-13: 978-1590781654
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 11.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Trains

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SPLENDID ILLUSTRATIONS AND DIAGRAMS, April 5, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steam Locomotives: Whistling, Chugging, Smoking Iron Horses of the Past (Hardcover)

Once very much a part of America's landscape steam locomotives are now things of the past. Nonetheless, these huge iron horses continue to fascinate. With pictures and well researched text Karl Zimmerman introduces young readers to the trains that once were the backbone of our country's transportation. Their whistles called and their smoke left vaporous trails wherever they traveled.

Geared for young readers age 10 and up our text opens with the beginning of the age of steam. Prior to this the moving of goods was totally dependent upon what a horse, ox or mule could haul. Next we explore the growth of the engines from "Tom Thumbs" to the giant "Big Boy."

Readers learn how a steam locomotive works and then how steam gave way to diesel locomotives.

This was an eventful time in America's history and well worth revisiting or seeing for the first time. The illustrations and diagrams are splendid.

- Gail Cooke

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good book for children, but..., May 16, 2006

By 

H. N. Dohe (My Sanctum Sanctorium) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Steam Locomotives: Whistling, Chugging, Smoking Iron Horses of the Past (Hardcover)

Not one for adults, really. It's well illustrated, but the text is very basic. It's a good book for beginners. But if you're even an average railfan, you'll probably find this book dull. You won't find anything in the way of new information.

I was disappointed in this book. If you're looking for something with some meat in it, look elsewhere. The really sad part is that some of the best books written on steam locomotives in general and American Railroading in particular are now out of print.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steam Locomotives, January 14, 2010

By 

Elizabeth M. Mikesell - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Steam Locomotives: Whistling, Chugging, Smoking Iron Horses of the Past (Hardcover)

This book was absolutely wonderful. It was a very well written and extremely informative. The photos captured the true essence of a bygone era.