Transportation Books

I was looking for a reference guide for the signals at the tracks near my house. This book gave me a basic idea (I guess there are too many configurations/railroad) but most of the book covered the early history of signaling. Interesting, but I wanted more of a recent 'field guide' type book. I have 7 signals to look at within a mile bike ride of my house and I still cant figure out 5 of them!

I purchased the book in my capacity primarily as a railroad union officer (BLE&T), and secondarily as an amateur rail historian (former Vice-President, Pacific Region, NRHS). I was hoping to find the book to provide a bit more technical detail than what it contains. Having been involved in several signal related accident investigations, I have found my techicnal expertise to be somewhat lacking when the time comes to interview those railroad employees whose responsibility it is to maintain and repair railroad signalling systems. I don't know that Brian Solomon's book will go a long way towards helping me increase that knowledge; but it does provide a comprehensive bibliography which I am sure I can put to use in reaching my goals in that regard. From a historical perspective, the book is a helpful primer to those who wish to understand the basics of train control methods.

This is a basic overview of all types of railroad signals. It covers the history and development of visual and electrical signaling systems. To get an understanding of how signals work this is an excellent book. Unfortunately no book could cover all signals that you may encounter trackside. Because each railroad has its own signal system, you will have to refer to their timetable to decode local signal aspects and indications.

An easy read with excellent graphics, "Railroad Signaling" is a must for anyone interested in railroads and the technology that goes with them.

I worked as the BN Roadmaster's Clerk at Northtown for five years and had an excellent working relationship with the Signal Department. By reading this book, I now understand the complexity of signal installations.

This book is written in a way that a lay person can appreciate how the different types of signals operate in relationship to each other. Brian Soloman speaks about the signal systems in various part of the country work (and are different from the BN's) and has pictures of same.

This book is a must for railfans.

Ed Burns of Anoka, Minnesota

Brian Solomon's Railroad Signaling book is one that has been missing from the ranks of books about railroads for many years. There has not been a general publication about the sometimes perplexing and interesting world of railroad signaling aside from GRS's book of many years ago and an article in Trains magazine from 1957. Anyone who really wanted to understand these things, had to either befriend a railroad signaling engineer or maintainer, or become one!

So, while the need was great, and this book could have been a welcome addition to a serious railfan's or modeler's library, there are enough troubling points about this book that make me want to caution you about it.

Mr. Solomon decided to take a historical approach to the development of the art and science of signaling. While that is as good an approach as any, the unfortunate result was that about two thirds of the book discusses things that are seen only occasionaly in museums. Also, he is obviously fascinated by the old semaphore signals as the vast majority of the pictures in the book are of those rather than the newer types that are in use today. He also spends a lot of time developing the history from the 1870's to the 1970's and then has a very brief chapter about the advances that the computer age has brought to bear since then. The is one small subsection on such an important topic as PTC and none on CBTC which are the two main technological deployment of the early 21st century.

Another irritating problem is the frequency of typos throughout the book. At one point I was totally confused as to whether the signal protecting a grade crossing of old was called a wigwaG or wigwaM since both appeared interchangeably in the same paragraph.

The layout of the text was also rather confusing with some concepts being given after descriptions of how they were used. I had to look in advance of my reading for the technical diagrams to try and figure out what he was writing about. Unfortunately, some of his diagrams are incorrect as well.

On the good side, he does cover both American and British practices which therefore explain over 90% of what is used around the world today. Being an American author it is no surprise that he focuses most of his attention on American practice. It would have been nice though, to have more of an explanation of the differnces in, for instance, the use of divergent routes vs American speed routes.

The author does provide many of the rules that are in use in various locations and points out that these are examples as each railroad and transit property essentially following their own preferences.

So my conclusion is that while this was an excellent first effort, it needs to be thoroughly revised and recast to be the premier book explaining the arcane art of railroad signaling.

This is a modern reprint of a celebrated classic. Frederik Henrik Chapman was the first analytical ship designer, in that he took a skill that was previously the domain of master shipwrights and formalised it in a rational scientific way that formed the basis of all Naval Architecture ever since.

While the text may be a bit heavy going for anyone but the dedicated enthusiast, the book is overwhelmingly worth it for the wonderful illustrations that make up 75% of the book: the lines plans and the virtuoso perspective drawings that have not been surpassed since.

It is a fascinating insight into the state of the art of ship design in the 17th century, and a beautiful book as well.

I didn't realize that this is just a collection of ships schematics. There are no detail drawings. There is no other information in this book. The preview of this book shows the only page with an actual drawing of a ship. Unless you have a fascination for waterline drawings of ships find another book.

The description needs to be rewritten to clarify that this is simply a compilation of schematics with little other information.

Fredric Henric af Chapman (September 9, 1721 in Gothenburg - August 19, 1808) was a Swedish naval ship architect, promoted to vice admiral in 1791, manager of the shipyard at Karlskrona between 1782-1793. Fredric Henric af Chapman might be the greatest naval architect of the eighteenth century.

At the age of 10, he already designed his first ship. At the age of 15, Chapman moved to Stockholm to learn the art of shipbuilding, during a visit to England in 1741 he was arrested when visiting a shipyard. Upon release, he was offered English service, which he declined. In 1744 he and another person established a shipyard in Gothenburg. Between 1752-56 he studied abroad. In 1757 he was commissioned as a junior shipwright by the Royal Swedish Navy and tasked with designing a couple of shallow draft vessels for the Finnish archipelago or coastal fleet. 1764 he was promoted to senior shipwright.

Chapman's great interest in the theoretical aspects of naval architecture and his desire to transform shipbuilding from a trade into a science led him to produce a large number of treatises and other publications, of which the best known internationally is Architectura Navalis Mercatoria. First published in 1768, Architectura Navalis Mercatoria eye-opening collection of sophisticated line drawings is a fascinating look at the maritime world of the 18th century, documenting merchant and naval ships from various countries. When first published, this work only included the line drawings. Later, Chapman added the additional sections related to the scientific design of ships.

Dover's edition of this work presents sophisticated lines drawings of over 70 ships. Other drawings and the companion text discusses tank testing of submerged bodies of various shapes, and the accompanying mathematics the author is using to explain some of his studies reach into calculus. The 70 different illustrations chart vessel dimensions, crew size, storage capabilities, and rigging. Additional drawing include line drawings of ships boats, three different methods for launching ships, and sail plans for various ship types.

As someone who has spent a lot of time lately studying Age of Sail ships, the Architectura Navalis Mercatoria contains the finest set of line drawings of ships of the 18th Century. You will find line drawings of galleys, merchant ships, privateers, and warships. Some of the drawings simply lay out a basic design for a type of ship (Katt, Hekboat, Frigate, etc...). Some of the plans are draughts of actual ships like the privateer Neptunas.

Although these plans can be found on the internet, this book will be an indispensable treatise for model builders, naval historians, and maritime enthusiasts. Anyone with a strong interest in shipbuilding in the 18th Century will love this book. I've often found myself spending hours looking over the various plans. I was worried about the size of this book when I orginally heard that Dover planned to publish.

Dover Books was kind enough to respond to my question with the following:

"Thank you for your patience. I have confirmed with our reprint editor that our edition of "Architectura Navalis Mercatoria: The Classic of Eighteenth-Century Naval Architecture" will be sized 9 3/8" x 12 1/4". He also indicated that the page size we're using is the largest size we can do with the printing equipment we normally use--beyond that size it not only gets much more expensive but becomes a problem as most bookstores don't have shelves bigger than that (some don't have shelves that size) and they won't order it if they can't store it. Also, we have a good source for the plates and they will be readable."

A great companion book to go with this book would be:

F.H. Chapman: The First Naval Architect and His Work

I like this version much better than the original. The biggest reason is that the text matches up better with the pictures. In the original, sentences ran from one page to the next, making it hard to read aloud. In addition, the vocabulary used is simpler for young children (my daughter is currently two years old and has been enjoying this book for many months now.)

Really, I wish I would have bought the original. Strangely enough we had the original version borrowed from the library in the house when this book arrived. Even my 2 1/2 year old daughter prefers the original. It is so much better. The details are more vivid. The language more interesting. This version isn't bad; it just isn't AS good.

All I can say is that I love this book. As a child my mother read me this book over and over. Its message is as inspiring to me now as it was then. I can't say enough how much I love this book. It's a wonderful addition to anyones collection, young and old. Brings me to tears when I read it and think back on my childhood. I don't think I could have gotten through some of those early years without it.

Just buy the REAL Little Engine That Could with its beautiful poetic lines. Skip the easy-to-read version. Little kids have a greater appreciation for real books than some people give them credit for.

This book has a fine combination of beautiful photos and well written text about an American niche. There are stories and examples from all over America that give a glimpse of the joy of seeing the world from a home away from home.

An architect and a photographer co-authored this classic mix of pix and text that rolls us down the American back roads in high style. From the early almost-train cars manufactured for the wealthy, to the poor man's alternative --- "Sleep in Your Car," one ad suggests --- we are drawn along by the fantasy of life fully lived away from home, a fantasy that could only have taken root in America, where roads and cars grew up together in serendipitous symbiosis.

Before the metal bodies and custom interiors, there had been the Conestoga wagons and, before that, the wooden gypsy vardos of old Europe. Sheepherders had "arks" made for crawling across the lonesome prairie, precursors to "tin can tourism" that attracted freedom-loving Americans almost as soon as they discovered the practicality of the auto itself.

From the 1930s onward, the question was not if they would buy it but what shape they would purchase, as independent companies vied for a market share, assembling campers shaped like teardrops, bread loaves and fantastical avian forms lifted from the burgeoning airplane industry.

Today's RVers owe much to Wally Byam, a true fanatic whose conception of a trailer accessible to the average middle-class family resulted in the Airstream, arguably the finest development of the pull-along format. With wood paneled mod cons within and an aerodynamic metal bullet exterior, the Airstream divorced trailering from the Oakie image and spawned many imitators. While confections like the Curtiss Aerocar and Pierce Arrow's faux railcar sought the aristocratic end of the market, and utilitarian itsy-bitsy tent-trailer combos attracted the low budget traveler, Airstream sat doggedly in the middle, offering class, ease of hauling and fine workmanship at an affordable price. "Today, more than four decades after his death in 1962, Byam's basic Airstream design continues to roll off the Jackson Center production lines, still widely regarded as the Rolls-Royce of trailers, and still inspiring imitations."

For nearly fifty years in the heyday of over-the-road vacationing, there was a Very Large Array of metal boxes on wheels, with names like Comet, Gypsy Wagon, Spartanette and Airfloat, and some more durable brands like Shasta. Because these ephemeral blips on the trailering screen were often handcrafted and built, remarkably, to last, many are still rolling or at least set up on blocks in mint condition, alluringly photogenic.

Gellner and Keister sought them out and tastefully snapped their innards and their outer skins, along with the cars that pull them. Where the snowbirds flock, these metal bubbles proliferate, often hauled by cars of equal interest to collectors. Now there's a new craze, and why are we not surprised --- that of building "vintage" campers, look-alikes to the old timey road runners of the early 20th century. Is this true "camp" or what?

Peering inside these metal marvels, via the camera's eye, we get a feeling for what was considered essential to the traveler in times past: parquet flooring, lounge chairs, recessed doors and plastic laminate kitchen counters, the latest thing. Beginning as a simple imitation of home interior design, trailer construction soon became a playground for experimentation in the technology of the tiny, the art of making things work smoothly in cramped quarters without skinning knuckles or having to sleep in a ball.

Like millions of Americans, I've followed the camper craze, the boondoggling and midnight interstate rest area getaways. I've moved with the carnival where homes on wheels have to be durable for the weekly hops. Maybe when I retire I'll look for a campsite at Slab City in California or Quartzite, Arizona.

If you love this book, then you're the guy for me. You and I could hit the high spots --- starting at Braden's Castle in Reno (that's where we'll get married), then on to Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona, where overnight guests can stay in vintage trailers. We'll honeymoon there in the Spartan Royal Mansion.

--- Reviewed by Barbara Bamberger Scott

This is an incredible wealth of information for anyone interested in architecture, travel trailers, and Americana in general. Lovely photography is augmented by nicely coordinated text. Some redundancy is my only criticism.

Bob

I have a weakness for books on architecture and interior decorating anyway. But this is the one I turn to again and again. For those of us with Champaign tastes and beer budgets, a vintage trailer is ulimately doable. Own your own piece of modernist archeture, albeit on wheels, even though you could never touch a Mies or Wright. When ever I try to figure out what to do with my 1957 Sportcraft (a classic silver-clad "canned ham"), I flip through these pages. I always find something inspiring.

Ready to Roll: A celebration of the Classic American Travel Trailer
Although I am admittedly a bit biased because of Tin Can Tourists' association with Dough Keister and this project, I found the book to be top notch. The blend of Arrol Gellner's text with Doug's pictures provides the reader with much more than a typical "coffee table" book.
I believe it deserves a place with Galloping Bungalows and Wheel Estate as a must for those that require a fuller understanding of the RV evolution from the Tin Can Tourists to Airstream Founder, Wally Byam.

Having previously owned 4 Corvettes, I have always loved the car and I really liked my new car, but I wasn't really aware of all the refinements that went into this new version. it is truly one of a kind....and a terrific "bargain" for the money when compared to other more expensive vehicles. This book spells it all out!

For those that are new to C6, this book gives a behind the scene look in the development of a C6. I bought this book after I took delivery of the C6.5 I ordered, and it made me appreciate the car so much more. It is very nice to see Dave's design philosophy and testing at the Autobahns and Nurburgring come together to create the final product. GM should include a copy with every new C6.5

"Corvette C6" is a decent follow-up to the fantastic C5-generation biography, "All Corvettes Are Red" by James Schefter. This book is not really a biography of the C6, as it reads more like a hardbound Corvette magazine.
Some nice pictures throughout the book and the text flows nicely.
Definitely read the C5 book first (as I did). It will make this one more enjoyable.

This is a must have book if you own a C6 vette or are thinking of getting one like me. It's full of pictures and information about the design and testing of the C6. Buy this book! You won't be disappointed.

Light on text, this book is a large scale hard-bound color sales brochure giving all the fun details of the sixth-generation Corvette's progress from drawing board to final production. After the design and test history, it steps through the car's features and provides a competitive analysis and magazine review roundup. Think of it as an extended sales brochure with lots of glorious color photos, graphics, and design details, and you'll be happy you bought it. Especially if you purchase the car as well.

My 2 year old LOVED this book the first time I read it to her, and it became the one she would pick for bedtime every night. Since it's a little longer than a typical bedtime story, and not exactly soothing for sleep, I brought it downstairs for daytime story times!! The sound words are great and the rhythm and repetition is perfect for toddlers. I highly recommend this book!

My daughter and I have read this book for years and we just love it. I started reading it to her when she was 2, she is now 5 and it is still a favorite. I highly recommend this book as a gift for any occasion, it is great to receive a book that you would normally not see displayed at the local B&N.

There are some books that we save to read before bedtime, special, sleepy books. This is not one of those. Its just too much fun! We save it to read in the morning, especially on those mornings when we have to get the boys up a little earlier than usual. Sitting between their beds and reading this book is a pretty fun way to wake them up. As soon as they are awake enough to hear it they pop over to see. Its a much better experience than the usual lamentation.

Now if we can only find someplace that will sell us a "Three speed, wind up, paddle-wheel boat" we'll be set!

The sing-song words are the best when read aloud. My 1st and 2nd grader love this book just as much as my preschooler does. Very fun!

My two-year-old and I first fell in love with this book at our local library. We decided we just had to have one of our own. We love, love, love this book. It is so much fun to read over and over again. I now buy it for all of my Mom friends as a fun but off the beaten path gift.

Grandma isn't the best garbage truck driver in the world, but she is well intentioned in this watercolor illustrated book. The illustrations are very engaging, with lots to look at. And the story is so silly. I read this with my 2 and a half year old son and he loved it. We made comparisons with his own grandma and being a huge fan of garbage trucks, this was a huge hit with my son in general.

In Grandma Drove The Garbage Truck by Katie Clark, Grannie isn't a rocking-chair woman: she is sick of all the trash piled up in town and she decides to do something about it before the big Fourth of July parade. Lovely drawings by Amy Huntington mark a lively story line in which Grannie takes charge when a sick garbage man threatens her favorite day.

In Grandma Drove The Garbage Truck by Katie Clark, Grannie isn't a rocking-chair woman: she is sick of all the trash piled up in town and she decides to do something about it before the big Fourth of July parade. Lovely drawings by Amy Huntington mark a lively story line in which Grannie takes charge when a sick garbage man threatens her favorite day.

I ordered this book for my son because of his love for garbage trucks. The story is adorable, attention captivating and the illustrations are great too. When Grammy came to visit, we read the story to her and she thoroughly enjoyed it too. I recommend this book for boys and girls and those who are especially interested in garbage, garbage trucks and recycling. Not to worry, my daughter isn't big on trucks but she really likes this book too.

This is exactly what a Motorcycle owner needs to know how to repair or maintain a motorcycle. Details the exact procedure of doing many basic things. It is a wonderful tool!

I recently inherited a 1987 Jeep Wrangler that some would say made a better yard ornament than a vehicle. I needed a resource to get me started on the restoration process and found the Haynes Jeep Wrangler 1987-2003 manual to be in invaluable source of information. This Haynes Manual has become my 'bible' for nearly every step of my new found endeavor. The manual is well written with detailed, clear, illustrations for each component of this vehicle. I would highly recommend this "must have" manual for the Jeep enthusiast.

Excellent guide to repairing my TJ. For instance, I had never thought twice about the admonition to disconnect ground wire to battery before working on front suspension - figured it was a safety precaution to prevent engine from starting. It's indeed a safety precaution, but not because of the motor turning over - it's to prevent the air bags on newer TJs from deploying! The front air bag sensor is in or near the steering box, and COULD deploy if struck by hammer, jack stand, etc. It's a timely AND cost savings warning - as anyone who has had to replace air bag packages can testify to!

I'f you're repairing / refurbishing your Wrangler.. All the details you need are in there.

There are too many years included in this book. There are hundreds of minor (and not so minor) differences in makes of jeeps over the years. Every year is different and the technology has changed. I could not even find some of the simplest things I needed to know when looking under the hood of my '02 Wrangler Sport. What an incredibly frustrating experience (you car fixers know what I mean!!!) What a waste of my time. What a waste of my money.

I am going to try to get my hands on a dealer/mechanics book.

Nothing new and exciting for this edition. In fact, most of the content wasn't even related to the '03 model (which I have and need a book on). I would recommend picking up a different book if you really need to know the newer technology on Wranglers.