Shipping Planes on Trains
Book Reviews
Volume 4
A GREAT book, with a lot of valuable information for both railfans, aircraft fans, and modelers. The photos of the 757, 777, and C-17 are great, including showing how the sections and fabrications for each were handled in the railcars. And I do not believe a reader,
railroad fan, aircraft fan, or serious historian will ever be able to see all the Boeing photos which you've included anywhere else -- unless they are in the Boeing P.R department!
Mark D.
Wow. Another exceptional tome. The additional highly detailed coverage of the means of mounting, bracketing and securing the loads is fascinating and exceptionally useful for those modeling these trains. Kudos.
Richard P.
Paging through this volume, right away I noticed you did it again, the content flows logically, the layout is beautiful and the text I have read so far is brief, factual, and very interesting, and informative. Although I know the subject matter is for a niche market I would think all four of your Volumes would be big hit at Train and/or Aircraft modeling shows. They are really a unique historical reference that would have wide appeal to those folks interested in transportation history. Your research is second to none. Well-presented information and wonderful pictures make this, as with the others, a joy to sit and go through, page-by-page.
Mike L.
Volume 3
The book for me is BEYOND incredible. The author goes into great detail on the subject matter; shipping planes (and aircraft components) by train. He covers the major manufactures of aircraft and how they get their product to market by various railroads. Included are diagrams of the railroad cars along with VOLUMINOUS amounts of photographs of the subject matter. This one is going to take a reader a little while to digest because of the detail the author goes in to.
For me, the book is worth its weight IN GOLD because it covers high and wide loads moving over the rails. It covers one of my favorite freight cars: the DC-10 Wing Gon built by the Maxon Corporation to do haul wing components over my favorite railroad: Union Pacific. If you buy ONE BOOK this year. BUY this one. Not only is this book a winner, IT’S A KEEPER.
Mark T.
The author covers the subject by aircraft model, which results in a volume that is also roughly in chronological order, beginning with aircraft right after WW 2 through the present day. For those who would like more precision, there is a five page timeline in Appendix D of aircraft model production from Lockheed, Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas, North American, Convair and Fairchild aircraft companies as well as ORER entries of railcars used in aircraft transport.
There are many diagrams which, among other things, help differentiate the various 737 models. There are numerous photos and details about how various models and assemblies are fabricated and loaded. He has also included advertisements and numerous photos, not only of shipping aircraft and assemblies, but loading and assembly details. (I'm still amazed by the number of images the author has amassed.) There are also many freight car diagrams of cars used. I really can't do this volume justice with my words. Hopefully others will comment if they've seen the books.
Dan S.
I just got your book and the first word out of my mouth was WOW!!! Outstanding photos, as tons of documentation...what a fantastic reference, sir. I had no idea so many aircraft types had components shipped via rail until I started reading your book. Thanks so much for taking the time to produce it.
Paul E.
Wow, what a good book! About an inch thick or better, horizontal layout and the photographry and text are very well done. As I work in aviation, and of course love freight cars, it's all there for me! There are all kinds of photos taken for various transportation projects, such as the KC-97, B-47, Lockheed Tri-Star and of course Boeing 737 and 747, plus numerous other commercial planes.
Jim K.
