Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

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Benjamin Maggi
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Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

I saw one recently sell on EBay for over $100. I have read it several times as our live steam library owns a copy. I want my own but not for the crazy amount of money they are selling for. I remember at a live steam meet a few years ago a couple of people discussing that a reprint was in the works.

Does anybody know if that is still true, or the status of it?

Thanks.
Ben
Last edited by Benjamin Maggi on Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
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makinsmoke
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Locomotive Builder book

Post by makinsmoke »

I too would like a copy, but hold no hope after Steve's passing earlier this year.


Excellent first book for large scale and live steam enthusiasts.
Steven E. Kuhn
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Locomotive Builder book

Post by Steven E. Kuhn »

I think you mean Master Railroad Builder. I don't blame you. There are some outstanding books out there that I already have paid $85 and $100 for. Locomotive 315 which was a steal at $85. A huge amount of information packed into that book. Modern Locomotive Construction is another one along with The American Railroad Freight Car. I'm glad I have MRB but I wouldn't pay $100 for it. It seems like I paid $30 for it. I remember that it seemed to go of print pretty quick so I imagine it has to do with supply rather content.

I was unaware Steve Booth had passed away. I'm sorry to hear that. How old was he?

Steve Kuhn
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Locomotive Builder book

Post by Steven E. Kuhn »

Excellent first book for large scale and live steam enthusiasts.


I agree. I wish I could have had it 22 years ago when I first joined ILS. At that time somebody recommended I read Modeltec magazine. Yup ok. Another said get So You Want To Build A Live Steam Locomotive. That was my first book. I wasn't impressed. It's my least read book and not a good first book for someone getting into this hobby.

Steve Kuhn
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Locomotive Builder book

Post by Steven E. Kuhn »

makinsmoke wrote:

Excellent first book for large scale and live steam enthusiasts.
Sorry meant to acknowledge his quote.
765nkp
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by 765nkp »

I have seen them sell on ebay for several hundred dollars years ago.
I would like to have one too, but not gonna pay crazy money.

Tim
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Harlock
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by Harlock »

Don't feel too bad. A good copy of "Shay: Titan of the Timber" by Michael Koch is worth about $500. I have one sitting on my shelf that I got for free. one of those "once in a lifetime" type things.

-M
Last edited by Harlock on Tue Nov 06, 2012 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Loco112
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by Loco112 »

Paragon Productions
8100 Midnight Pass Rd.
Sarasota, Florida 34242
888-883-7100

It can't hurt to ask.

If somone does call, ask them how many volumes they printed, when it was printed.
ccvstmr
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by ccvstmr »

...another excellent source of info if you plan on building your own locomotive or rolling stock is the Simons-Boardman Loco and/or Car Builders Encylcopedia(s). I managed to acquire a small collection over the years starting with the 1940 Car Builders and the 1941 Loco Builders volumes. Think I paid something like $75 each (but that was 30 years ago). I've seen these go for as much as $150 each. Also have the 1925 Locomotive Cyclopedia (had to have that book recovered. It was in sad shape. But I worked for a printing company at the time and had them rebind the book). Have a later version, the 1974 Car Builder and Loco Cyclopedia. Picked this up in the late 70's when I was working for Amtrak. These were published every few years as railroad equipment was modernized.

In 1960, Model Railroader (Kalmbach Publ) came out with their Steam Locomotive Cyclopedia Vol. 1 in 1960. I don't know if there was ever a Vol 2. Kalmbach also published several versions of the diesel spotters guides.

And if you're still looking for more info, there's the Train Shed Cyclopedia volumes (36+?) by Newton Gregg. As previously noted, if you belong to a club, perhaps the club library has a collection of these volumes that can be examined or checked out (these are small booklets).

Lots of great information. It's there if you're willing to take some time and do some research. Sometimes the journey is as much fun as the destination! Carl B.
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jcbrock
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by jcbrock »

Great book, I'm on page 255! In spite of that, it is a very high quality book, Steve had very high standards, and really not crazy at $100 compared to some of what you get for that today.

Crazy is the late Terry Martin's first DHR book - Halfway to Heaven. There are two used on Amazon - $900 and $7200. I figure the $7200 is a typo but you never know...
John Brock
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Benjamin Maggi
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

Loco112 wrote:Paragon Productions
8100 Midnight Pass Rd.
Sarasota, Florida 34242
888-883-7100

It can't hurt to ask.

If somone does call, ask them how many volumes they printed, when it was printed.
I called that number, and it doesn't work. Perhaps regular mail will.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
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Loco112
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Re: Any upcoming reprint of Master Railroad Builder book

Post by Loco112 »

phone changed, try this one;

(941) 925-3547
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