Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive


Book Description

The diesel locomotive sent shock waves through rigid corporate cultures and staid government regulators. For some, the new technology promised to be a source of enormous profits; for others, the railroad industry seemed a threat to their very livelihoods. Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive introduces the reader to the important technological advances that gave rise to diesel engines, examining not only their impact on locomotive design, but also their impact on the economic and social landscapes. J. Parker Lamb describes the development of these technologies, allowing the reader to fully understand how they were integrated and formed a commercially successful locomotive. Like its companion volume, Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive (IUP, 2003), this book emphasizes the role of the leading engineers whose innovations paved the way for critical breakthroughs. Rail fans will appreciate this authoritative work.




The American Diesel Locomotive


Book Description

Introduced in the 1930s, efficient and adaptable diesel locomotives had all but displaced steam locomotives by 1960. This colorful photographic history examines the development, implementation, and operation of diesel locomotives from the gleaming pioneer Zephyrs of the '30s through today's 8000-horsepower beasts. In the course of examining the dawn and preeminence of diesel power, the author offers a glimpse of America's major railways -- both freight and passenger -- in stunning modern and period color photography. Manufacturers like EMD, Alco and GE are included. The final chapter describes the operation and maintenance of modern diesel locomotives, and an appendix lists where rail fans can see restored examples of early diesels today.




The Model Railroader's Guide to Diesel Locomotives


Book Description

Learn the history, spotting features, characteristics, and operation of diesel locomotives, plus how to determine appropriate eras, and details and features.




Vintage & Modern Diesel Locomotives


Book Description

Learn all about the companies that built diesel locomotives and the American railway system through Stanley W. Trzoniec's breathtaking photography and thorough research. Over eight decades after their invention, diesel locomotives are still the backbone of the American railroad system. Five principal companies have built diesel locomotives--EMD, General Electric, Alco, Baldwin, and Fairbanks Morse--and the most popular vintage and modern types of all five are covered in painstaking detail in Vintage & Modern Diesel Locomotives. From General Electric 44-Tonners to Alco RS5s, all of the most important models are included. Stanley W. Trzoniec's stunning photography gives these behemoths of the modern age their due in beautiful full-color images. Enthusiasts of diesel locomotives will not want to be without Vintage & Modern Diesel Locomotives in their collection.




British Diesel Locomotives of the 1950s and ‘60s


Book Description

After the Second World War, the drive for the modernisation of Britain's railways ushered in a new breed of locomotive: the Diesel. Diesel-powered trains had been around for some time, but faced with a coal crisis and the Clean Air Act in the 1950s, it was seen as a part of the solution for British Rail. This beautifully illustrated book, written by an expert on rail history, charts the rise and decline of Britain's diesel-powered locomotives. It covers a period of great change and experimentation, where the iconic steam engines that had dominated for a century were replaced by a series of modern diesels including the ill-fated 'Westerns' and the more successful 'Deltics'.




Locomotives


Book Description

"This new oversize, full color book is the 'Diesel Spotter's Guide' on steroids. ... After you get Locomotives, you'll WANT to go out and see what's new!" --Railfan and Railroad "This is a field guide that is also elegant, so my advice is this: Buy two copies, and toss one in your car, and put the other one on your coffee table." --Trains Locomotives is the definitive photographic reference for the North American rail fan. It covers all mainline locomotive models built for North American railroads from the mid-1970s onward. This revised and expanded edition includes data on all the new locomotive models built from 2007 to January 2015, including the latest electrics from Siemens and Tier 4 locomotives from General Electrics. Containing 32 new pages, and over 300 photographs of more than 120 models, this remarkable large-format reference covers every locomotive manufacturer. Greg McDonnell provides concise yet comprehensive information on each model, along with easy-to-read tables of production totals, build dates and mechanical specifications.




American Diesel Locomotives


Book Description

Introduced in the 1930s, efficient and adaptable diesel locomotives had all but displaced steam locomotives by 1960. This colorful photographic history examines the development, implementation, and operation of diesel locomotives from the gleaming pioneer Zephyrs of the '30s through today's 8000-horsepower beasts. In the course of examining the dawn and preeminence of diesel power, the author offers a glimpse of America's major railways -- both freight and passenger -- in stunning modern and period color photography. Manufacturers like EMD, Alco and GE are included. The final chapter describes the operation and maintenance of modern diesel locomotives, and an appendix lists where rail fans can see restored examples of early diesels today.




Detailing Diesel Locomotives


Book Description

In this companion to Detailing Freight Cars, author Jeff Wilson shows you how to improve the appearance and realism of your diesel locomotives.




The Clayton Type 1: Bo-Bo Diesel-Electric Locomotives—British Railways Class 17


Book Description

This informative, illustrated guide to the British Railways locomotive series covers its full production lifespan, from 1962–1965. In the early 1960s, the Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive known as The Clayton was conceived as the new standard for British Railways, superseding other Type 1 classes. While the early classes suffered from poor driver visibility, the Claytons were highly successful and popular with operating crews. However, the largely untested high-speed, flat Paxman engines proved to be highly problematic. As a result, the Claytons were eventually withdrawn from BR service by December 1971. Anthony Sayer draws on considerable amounts of archive material to tell the full story of these ‘Standard Type 1’ locomotives and the issues surrounding their rise and fall. Further sources provide insights into the effort and money expended on the Claytons in a desperate attempt to improve their reliability. Supported by over 280 photographs and diagrams, dramatic new insights into this troubled class have been assembled for both historians and modelers alike.




Nickel Plate Road Diesel Locomotives


Book Description

Although Nickel Plate Road was widely known and respected for its great steam locomotives, its diesel roster was equally interesting. Keven Holland tells the complete story of Nickel Plate Road's dieselization and traces the history of all its diesel locomotives down to and after the N&W merger. Filled with official Nickel Plate Road photographs plus a variety of photos from railfan photographers. The last word on the diesel fleet of Nickel Plate Road diesel locomotives!