PRRT&HS Pennslyvania Railroad Cabin Cars book

[reinhardtjh]

The Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society has a new reference book on PRR Cabin cars from 1860 to 1988.

The first runs in softcover are in stock at the printer, but due to the printer being bought out, shipping is delayed to the end of July.

The book is 224 pages 336 photos, about half in color with 61 drawings.

Non-Member price is $60 plus shipping and handling
Member price is $50 plus shipping and handling

Members also have the option of a hardcover version for $75, limit one per member.  The first 100 hardbound orders are shipping next week.

https://www.prrths.org/content.aspx?page_id=586&club_id=171391&item_id=13159

Pennsylvania Railroad Cabin Cars - Revenue and Work Equipment, 1860-1988

By Robert L. Johnson, 2021

This book provides an in-depth look at PRR cabin car development, from the earliest beginnings in 1860. Their use in revenue freight, passenger express, and work equipment service are all explained. The book concludes with their gradual disappearance during the Penn-Central and Conrail years.

[Altoona]

I wonder what the hold was.

Judd Barton

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Does anyone have a copy? How's the coverage of pre-WWI stuff?

I've seen it mentioned, but it always seems rather perfunctory in other books (because it's generally much harder) and sometimes is just the same 5 photos over and over.

[reinhardtjh]

I wonder what the hold was.

Judd Barton

There were emails on the PRRTHS IO Groups list.  The printer for the softcover version was bought by another printing company just as the books arrived.  So now they have to be moved to the new company's distribution center to be shipped.    This has delayed shipping a couple weeks, they are now due to be shipped next week or the last week of July.

Does anyone have a copy?

It's not shipped to general members yet.  AFAIK only the author and reviewers have seen it.

How's the coverage of pre-WWI stuff?
I've seen it mentioned, but it always seems rather perfunctory in other books (because it's generally much harder) and sometimes is just the same 5 photos over and over.

Hopefully, with 224 pages and 336 photos they have covered all the eras well.  But I don't know how many photos are available from pre-WWI.  Being a PRRT&HS book, hopefully the author had access to all the archived photos of the society.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Hopefully, with 224 pages and 336 photos they have covered all the eras well.  But I don't know how many photos are available from pre-WWI.  Being a PRRT&HS book, hopefully the author had access to all the archived photos of the society.

One would hope, but pre-1920s PRR stuff is tough because many of the official records were burned up in the Broad Street Station Fire.

[reinhardtjh]

One would hope, but pre-1920s PRR stuff is tough because many of the official records were burned up in the Broad Street Station Fire.

My copies arrived today. I did a quick glance and there appear to be quite a number of photos from 1906, 1913, 1916 and the 1920's.  The pictures seem to be attributed to non PRRT&HS sources - perhaps members.  I did a second look.  There are pictures going back to the 1860's.  Want to see the Curve in 1863?  Or 1874?  The first 130 pages cover the 1860's up to about 1919 with lots of pictures.  Not all are dated pre-1920 since some are of equipment still existing or existing at a later date.

In addition to drawings in the book text, there is a packet of 3 large sized drawings attached to the inside cover.  These drawings are approximately 19" x 13" unfolded, double sided.  One is of a class NE cabin dated 1904.  The other two are Lines West cabins, no class indicated but look like a N6b to me.  They are dated 1914 and 1916.

The hard back copies are sold out, though only members could order them.  The soft covers are still available if people are interested.  It's not cheap but so far looks to be a good source.  Way more detailed than the NJ International book (I have a copy of that too).

https://www.prrths.org/content.aspx?page_id=586&club_id=171391&item_id=13159

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh that's great to hear!

I just spent way too much on DCC components over the past 24 hours, but I think I'll be getting a copy now.