Magazines - Reviews by WPLives

Magazines - Reviews by WPLives

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Member	Item		Review/Comment
WPLives 16th Jul 2021		Magazine More Trains Of The 1940s (2020)	Review More Trains of the 1940s—book review Looking back, it was a special time on American rails in the 1940s— thousands of handsome, well-kept steam locomotives were the backbone of the nation, along with bustling freight and passenger business. Railroads were kept especially busy with moving goods and troops on trains during America's war years 1941-1945. As we look back today on this period in railroading, we remember everything from the stylish 2,000-horsepower DL109s on the New Haven, the Burlington Route's sleek and highly-polished silver Nebraska Zephyr, the Pennsylvania’s mammoth 4-8-2 M-1 steam locomotives, and even the rare Akron, Canton & Youngstown RR mixed freight-passenger trains. These and many more remembrances flood back as you experience this 106-page treasury of black and white photos and well-written, classic articles from this time period. The lead article features GE designer Raymond Paten known for his design of the popular Alco PA and FA (freight) locomotives, along with several pages of color photos of these well-received diesels. An absorbing 10-page article follows with illustrations detailing the Milwaukee Railroad shops, engine terminal and car-building facilities located in Milwaukee. Philadelphia’s three major railroads are also featured—the Pennsylvania, Reading and B&O—the article re-printed from a 1948 Trains magazine story. A cab and caboose ride on the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, New York Central’s Boston & Albany tortuous mountain operating problems, and Southern Pacific’s War-Baby 4460-series steamers are also featured, along with a 2,500-mile no-reservations-required railfan trip during the war years over 14 various U.S. rail lines. A 1940’s In Photos section, an ACF’s postwar streamliners feature describing the Georgian and Hummingbird from a 1947 Trains magazine article—and an engrossing story about the meandering St. Johnsbury & Lake Champlain RR in Vermont help round out the bill of fare. This publication transports readers back in time during an important period on our nation’s rails. —Don Heimburger, Heimburger House Publishing Co. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
WPLives 10th Jul 2021		Magazine Pullman: America's Hotel On Wheels	Review In 1945, the legendary Pullman Company, one of the most successful enterprises in America, was operating more than 5,500 cars nationwide. Incorporated in 1867, Pullman’s business ballooned as the nation’s railroad network swelled from 39,000 route miles to 229,000 miles. As rail routes became longer, the Pullman Company provided what was considered an essential element of rail travel, with passengers often journeying overnight to reach their destination. By 1899 already Pullman was a virtual monopoly on the rails, handling 90% of the railroad sleeping-car business. Pullman, America’s Hotel on Wheels is a 9×11” comprehensive glossy, color-cover, 106-page compilation of this iconic company and its many achievements. One advantage the company had was shifting its railroad cars between railroads in different parts of the country, depending upon demand, either because of the seasons, or because of large conventions in certain cities. And during WWII Pullman was essential in moving as many as 125 million passengers and troops. All of the inviting articles—there are 14 of them—are laden with facts, large black and white or color photos, and even humor in some cases. Some of the articles include “I’ve Been Riding the Pullmans," where a traveler looks back on 35 years of overnight train rides; a feature on Santa Fe's Chief, an all-Pullman extra-fare streamliner that ran between Chicago and California; a story on Pennsylvania’s 1902-1903 Special between New York and Chicago; and details of B&O’s roundabout Capitol Limited route to Chicago. There’s even a picture gallery of passenger trains entitled “Pullman in Pictures,” highlighting such roads as the Pennsy, L&N, FEC, ACL, Wabash and the Milwaukee Road. In all, this is a keepsake publication, loaded with stories and facts, that deserves space on your bookshelf. —Don Heimburger, Heimburger House Publishing Co. ✔︎ Helpful Review?
WPLives 31st Mar 2021		Magazine Trains Go To War (2019)	Review The past is back in Classic Trains, the quarterly magazine celebrating the historic "golden years" of North American railroading. In Classic Trains, you'll take a trip back and rediscover the railroads, trains, and people who worked the rails from the 1920s to the '70s. You'll relive the days of powerful steam locomotives, vintage diesels, flashy streamliners and more. 3 people found this review helpful. ✔︎ Helpful Review?