Rehor, John A., The Nickel Plate Story. Milwaukee, Wis: Kalmbach Books, 1965.
A few nights ago, my friend and fellow railroad enthusiast Tony Pellegrino was over at my apartment. We began to discuss the “classic” railroad books. Most of the books we discussed were originally published from about 1960 to 1980, with a few exceptions. A majority of the books were originally published by Kalmbach, though Howell-North, Golden West, and Interurban Press books came up. We also discussed the “annuals” such as CERA Bulletins, some of the Interurban Press books, ERHS Bulletins, and Colorado Rail Annuals. There have been a lot of great railroad books published in the last 50 or so years. The goal of this feature is to cover, and review for the younger generation, some of the “classic” railroad books. I personally have been building a railroad library for about the past 15 years (much to the detriment of my savings account and wallet). It is my goal that these mini-reviews provide a guide for those wishing to build up their own railroad libraries, so that you may include the “classics.”
Our first installment is a real classic: John A. Rehor’s The Nickel Plate Story. Kalmbach first published this book in 1965, and it went through several printings. My own personal copy is a late 1980s reprint. The book is a real monster, 484 pages, 527 black and white photos, 15 illustrations, and a dust jacket that contains a painting by Gil Reid of NKP 765.
The book is a well-written corporate history of the New York, Chicago, & St. Louis Railroad, known as “The Nickel Plate Road.” Chapters also cover some of the railroad’s predecessor companies, such as the Lake Erie and Western, the Clover Leaf Route, and the Wheeling and Lake Erie. The book was originally published just after the Norfolk & Western acquired the Nickel Plate in 1964, so the coverage is thorough. The back of the book contains a very good locomotive roster of NKP steam, including disposition information.
Besides the technical, Rehor was a great writer. The text is engaging and interesting, or at least as interesting as a railroad corporate history can be. The research appears to be superb as well. The book covers how the railroad, originally somewhat ill conceived as the third route between New York and Chicago became a fast freight forwarder, and strong competition for the New York Central and Erie railroads. An early embrace of Super Power 2-8-4s from Alco and Lima helped the railroad compete and carve out a niche by promising fast delivery of freight from the western railroads to the east. Unlike its competitors, the NKP was a single track railroad with passing sidings, which still managed to give its larger competitors a run for their money.
A few nights ago, my friend and fellow railroad enthusiast Tony Pellegrino was over at my apartment. We began to discuss the “classic” railroad books. Most of the books we discussed were originally published from about 1960 to 1980, with a few exceptions. A majority of the books were originally published by Kalmbach, though Howell-North, Golden West, and Interurban Press books came up. We also discussed the “annuals” such as CERA Bulletins, some of the Interurban Press books, ERHS Bulletins, and Colorado Rail Annuals. There have been a lot of great railroad books published in the last 50 or so years. The goal of this feature is to cover, and review for the younger generation, some of the “classic” railroad books. I personally have been building a railroad library for about the past 15 years (much to the detriment of my savings account and wallet). It is my goal that these mini-reviews provide a guide for those wishing to build up their own railroad libraries, so that you may include the “classics.”
Our first installment is a real classic: John A. Rehor’s The Nickel Plate Story. Kalmbach first published this book in 1965, and it went through several printings. My own personal copy is a late 1980s reprint. The book is a real monster, 484 pages, 527 black and white photos, 15 illustrations, and a dust jacket that contains a painting by Gil Reid of NKP 765.
The book is a well-written corporate history of the New York, Chicago, & St. Louis Railroad, known as “The Nickel Plate Road.” Chapters also cover some of the railroad’s predecessor companies, such as the Lake Erie and Western, the Clover Leaf Route, and the Wheeling and Lake Erie. The book was originally published just after the Norfolk & Western acquired the Nickel Plate in 1964, so the coverage is thorough. The back of the book contains a very good locomotive roster of NKP steam, including disposition information.
Besides the technical, Rehor was a great writer. The text is engaging and interesting, or at least as interesting as a railroad corporate history can be. The research appears to be superb as well. The book covers how the railroad, originally somewhat ill conceived as the third route between New York and Chicago became a fast freight forwarder, and strong competition for the New York Central and Erie railroads. An early embrace of Super Power 2-8-4s from Alco and Lima helped the railroad compete and carve out a niche by promising fast delivery of freight from the western railroads to the east. Unlike its competitors, the NKP was a single track railroad with passing sidings, which still managed to give its larger competitors a run for their money.
There are a lot of used copies of this book out there. While you can try those internet sources, I always see a copy or two in the IRM used book store for purchase. Get your copy today!
Our next mini-review will be of Frederick Westing's Apex of the Atlantics
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