NEW Alco RS-27 book coming out this spring

Today, November 3rd, I went to the CNY Train show and met Richard Steinbrenner there who is co-authoring a book with Chris MacDermot on the DL640.
This book will be about the story about Chris MacDermot experiences as a ALCO Service Engineer who traveled all over the country to assist railroads in placing the RS-27's in service.
The book is going to be 90% color with about 150 photos.
It will have the history of all the DL-640's.
It will cover the PRR,LV, CNW, GB&W, Devco,PNC, and Peabody Coal as well as some Alco factory photos.
About 170 pages
Price is expected to be around $ 60-70 dollar range-Not final yet.
Hardcover in landscape format.
Expected to be done by March.

I have seen a proof and it will be well worth the wait.

Just an update: If you are able to attend the Great Train Extravaganza on December 2, 2007 in Albany NY (See Events listings) Pre-Publication orders will be taken at my table with a $10 discount. There also will be a sneak-preview of the book contents.
John

Have you been up to see Minnesota Commercial yet? They have the last operating RS27s. Both were ex C&NW ex GB&W locomotives. They are still operating and are an amazing site to see still in action! The Minnesota Commercial is out of St. Paul MN and is a switching line. The engine shop that they own is always full of old Alcos andd GE locomotives, so if you get see the Minnesota Commercial you need to stop thier. They run seven days a week, but mostly on week days. They use RS27s, an RS32U, an M420, C424s, an M636, C26-7s, B23-7s, and even a GE locomotive, imported from Australia!

BOOK UPDATE:

ALCO'S DL-640 LOCOMOTIVE
A Year of Demonstrators and 1/2 Centrury Of Service



The book will be 176 pages in full color and is expected to be available in September 2008.
First printing will be only1,000 copies.
Full Color Ads will be in TRAINS Magazine in August and September. The ON-TRACK website will be updated soon.http://www.ontrackpublishers.com

It is suggested that you reserve a copy by contacting ON TRACK via the website.

UPDATE:

A YEAR OF DEMONSTRATIONS
A HALF CENTURY OF SERVICE
ALCO’s DL-640 Locomotive
By Christopher MacDermot
And Richard Steinbrenner
Beginning with the 1960 demonstration tours, our book looks back on
almost a half-century history of this often underestimated locomotive
design that managed to sell only 26 units, but:
 Led to several of ALCO’s most successful designs in the Century Series.
 Despite a nomadic existence, has achieved a remarkable longevity, led
by 2 units that remain in operation today.
The Authors
 Chris MacDermot chronicles with great insight and rare wit his year
riding and technically supporting the demonstrator units.
 Dick Steinbrenner documents the migrations of each of the individual
units during the course of their lifetimes.
 The authors – and railroaders engaged in operation and maintenance of
the DL-640s – provide a technical analysis of those factors that
contributed to their longevity.
Illustrated by
Color and b&w Photos – 150 in Color
Publicity Releases, Maps, Plans, Technical Reports
178 Pages List Price $64.95

UPDATE: OCTOBER 19,2008

The book will be out in the next 2 weeks-(Oct 20-27). There will be a slide program on November 15th along with a book signing by the 2 authors at the Schenectady Historical Society. Details to follow.

In addition, the book will be sold at the GREAT TRAIN EXTRAVAGANZA in Albany, NY on December 7th by yours truly.