rgathright's Full Review: Greg McDonnell - Locomotives: The Modern Diesel & ...
Locomotives a Field Spotter's Guide by Greg McDonnell is an excellent update to modern diesel locomotives that now covers electrics as well with hundreds of color photos.
To speed up your investigation the book has colored tabs on the end of every page representing each of the covered manufacturers. I must admit that I am only starting to learn about this subject. However, as you read this review, my motives for reading this fascinating book will shine through.
The book covers seven different locomotive brands within its 240 pages of authoritative coverage as follows: General Electric Transportation, Electro-Motive Diesel Inc., Motive Power Inc. Wabtec, National Railway Equipment Co., Railpower Technologies Corp., Alstom, Electric Passenger Locomotives. Railpower Technologies Corp. is why I bought this book. The company has turned the rail industry's eyes in its direction with an innovative Green Goat locomotive that uses 600VDC of battery power to reduce emissions while in a switcher role. Remarkably, their products are rebuilt from frames made as far back as 1957! Their eco-friendly customer base includes Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern and Amtrak. If you enjoy reading about new technologies this section of the book more than pays for itself with its complete coverage of the subject of hybrid locomotives.
Photography A majority of the photos in this book were taken by the author, Greg McDonnell. A conservative estimate by me places the photo count at over 375 color prints. Aside from the stunning profile shots of nearly every model covered in book, you can expect to find photos of locomotive components as follows: engines, builder's plates, alternators, locomotive trucks and cab assemblies. The opening chapter on GE includes several photos of the assembly of engines at GE's plant. The photos gave me a good idea of how big these machines really are!
Technical Coverage The book covers the assembly and remanufacturing of locomotives in addition to highlighting visual aspects the make them different. Each engine discussed in the book is treated with a presentation of its horsepower and even the bore x stroke if available at the time of printing. The more notable work horses of the engine world are also photographed for reader's pleasure.
Exceptions Unfortunately, not all North American trains are covered in this book. Industrial locomotives and rebuilds are outside the coverage because they only appear in small rail yards. Yet the EMD BL-20-2's, GE Super 7 and Morrison Knudsen/Boise locomotives which represent rebuilds are included.
A large-format photographic reference to 120 North American railway locomotives, covering all mainline models from the mid-1970s to today: 300 photogr...More at Buy.com
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