Railjourner, I'm assuming you were at the show Sunday and got to see the book firsthand. I value and respect your opinion, the good thing being you didn't spend your money on something you didn't like. I'm not familiar with the Bednar Books, I'm sure they are excellent quality being that they've been mentioned 2x already. My heart is with the LHR thus far, and I'll look into those books in the next few weeks. Don't know if we actually met and shook hands there, met a lot of fine folks. Thought it was a great show.If you have any suggestions for future works, please share.
I'll clear up some other issues a few gents are having, and I apologize for any confusion.
Let me start by saying that this project was nothing but fun for 2 1/2 years. My goal and dream was to document what's left of the LHR in NJ and try to preserve it as a rails to trails. It then turned into a research project involving former/existing structures. As I mentioned in previous posts, the Boyd/Antz books, as well as the Crist and Pennisi books have done a wonderful job of documenting the engines, history, and some of the buildings. My goal was to "complete the series" and fill in some of the gaps.
The second thing I wanted to accomplish was to share my research/pictures/ knowledge with friends, LHR veterans, and people like yourselves. The cost of the book is purely for material, believe me when I tell you I've taken a financial hit producing it, but my goal was never to profit from the sale. I would need to sell an incredible amount of books to just break even. Ink, paper, and buying some of the historical pictures contained in the book costs money, the fact that I'm printing small batches probably doesn't help. I wasn't sure how many books would be sold, rather than ordering 1,000 copies off the bat, I chose to run by demand. I've tried to keep the cost the same for everyone, and it's been $75 in person, shipping and handling adds additional costs depending on where you live. With gas prices going up, everyone is raising their prices for supplies, so I can't predict what the next runs will be. If you bought the Boyd/Antz book new as I did, you were paying about 40 cents a page. My cost is about 29 cents a page. I personally felt the Boyd /Antz book was a sensational bargain by the way. I didn't include money spent on archiving, travel, tolls, hand deliveries/gas costs because that my intention was not to profit but to share info.
Without embarassing myself too much I really don't know how to post a picture of the book on this site, which is why I haven't done so yet. Not sure what you guys would get out of just seeing the cover page but I'd be happy to do so with some help.
I'm not lying when I say I've had 99% (100% before Railjourner
) satisfaction from the people who have already purchased the book. This includes historians, LHR veterans, people who grew up along the ROW, locals, and LHR diehards. The book isn't like much others put out there, and it won't please everyone. I've basically been hand delivering to NJ /Warwick folks, and they've had the opportunity to view it prior to purchasing, and it's been selling remarkably well. Unfortunately there's no way to do that by mail.I always love sitting down and meeting folks who are interested, that's half the fun. I posted Larry's e-mail not to brag but to give an unbiased opinion. The book has been reviewed in a Vernon local newspaper as well but I'm unable to find a link, I can certainly e-mail the scan of it to would be buyers.
I was trying my hardest not to take up too much space on the threads, for those who really want it, they have already purchased via e-mail or phone and I've gotten some really great responses.
I'll elaborate some more on the picture content-every station in NJ-25 or was it 26? of them; customers-Kramer Ashphalt, NJ Zinc, creameries, Aplhano Muckworks. Bridges, construction of Atlas spur. I'd say 99% never been published before. Mile markers, signal posts, crossings. a few of the shots have steam/RS-3s, of few of real old engines MOW but mainly structural content. Siding diagrams,track diagrams from original blueprints-great for modelers from what ive been told. This is my first project. Color shots of what is left as well. Spiral bound only for now-hardbound would have cost my customers an additional $15-$20. Professionally printed.
If you're a die-hard LHR fan I'm pretty confident you will enjoy.
The only other thing I'll say here is that many people helped me with information in the book, as well as many donated pictures. This was all for fans like yourselves, not a money making venture for anyone, me included. The praise goes to everyone, the criticism comes solely to me, since I basically constructed the book and its contents alone. Many people worked very hard here in finding pictures, and offering accurate information about the LHR, please keep that in mind.
Again for those who have already purchased, thanks for your support in keeping the LHR alive and well; and for all the kind words.Rather than waste additional space with ordering info, my e-mail and phone remain open for orders. I can elaborate more on the phone since I'm a better talker than typer!
I apologize for the initial limited information, it wasnt meant to turn people off or away, I'm new at this, and hopefully I've cleared up some of the issues. I think this is a great forum with a bunch of educated members, criticism is always welcome, as long as it's justified and written in a professional manner.
BTW- the title is "Tracking Down the Lehigh and Hudson/Phillipsburg to Vernon....the N.J. Right of Way."
