Book Store

Design, Install & Maintain your Large Scale Track

Civil Engineering for Outdoor Railroads vol. 1

The hobbyists, amusement park & tourist railroad managers guide. Learn super elevation, vertical curves, drainage and maintenance of 3.5-42" ga. railroads. Plus 2 chapters on "Surveying Basics".

regular price $25.49 Special $23.00

A set of measured drawings to produce the
Multi-Purpose Car
by Tom and Steve Waterfall
Only $15. Includes 6 pages of drawings.
Click here to download your copy now!

The "Next Step" when they're too old for Thomas!
Peter's Railway

The delightful adventures of a boy and his grandpa as they plan, build and learn to operate a 1/8 scale steam railway. Ages 6-12. First in the series.

Hardcover, 96 pages of text and illustrations.

price $19.95

Second in the series

Peter's Railway and the Moonlight Express

As Peter and Grandpa advance in live steaming so does this follow up book to Peter's Railway. Peter learns to drive the steam engine. Also the two expand the railroad with more track, a turntable and loop. Lots more kid friendly "how it works" explanations and illustrations.

Hardcover, 96 pages of text and illustrations.

price $19.95

Third in the series
Peter's Railway and
the Forgotten Engine

More about Peter and Grandpa and the railway they built together. They build an extension line to their Village with a banked track so they can run trains faster. Peter and Grampa discover a long forgotten engine which they put back in service. To celebrate the opening of the new line, The "Great Train Race" is organized with lots of visiting locomotives. Who will win?

price $19.95

How (not) to paint a locomotive

Written by the 2004 Model Engineer Exhibition Gold Metal Winner; Christopher Vine. Chris made a lot of mistakes along the way and found there was almost nothing written which was of use to model engineers. The book covers equipment, making a spray booth, paint, preparation, spray painting, hand painting, lining, transfers and much more.

price $39.95 OUT OF STOCK

Start Building Tonight

Download these easy-to-follow
Gondola Plans

Build your own "riding scales" railroad car in 1/8 (1-1/2") scale using these easy-to-follow plans. As built, this car is 6' long, 16-1/2" wide. With the addition of seats, 2 average sized adults can ride comfortably on your favorite 7-1/4 or 7-1/2" gauge railroad.

Step by step photos and drawings are especially designed for modelers who are not equipped to do welding

regular price $10.00 Special $8.00

Read a review of this important CD in
The Home Railway Journal

1/8 scale drawings for Live Steam/ Diesel Model Makers vol.1

New for 2008 Over 35 highly detailed "blue prints" to build rail cars, track side buildings, switch stands and much more. Available on CD disk only.

Was $49.99 Now $39.99

For a limited time
Free Economy Domestic Shipping
for orders of $50 or more
select "free shipping" when you check out

1/8 scale drawings for Live Steam/ Diesel Model Makers vol.2

New for 2008 This all new book on CD offers 39 new drawings, highly detailed "blue prints" to build rail cars, track side buildings, and much more. Available on CD disk only.

Was $49.99 Now $39.99

First Edition

Rudy's Model Steam Tractor

Rudy's Case-style traction engine project that was originally published in Popular Mechanics magazine. The drawings in this book were hand drawn by Rudy himself, and have been only gently enhanced using a modern CAD program, allowing them to retain their original craftsman's touch. 80 pages spiral bound. By Rudy Kouhoupt

regular price $24.95 Special $24.00

NEW
Falk No. 1 Locomotive

Build your own steam locomotive. At about 65 pounds, the Falk Logging Locomotive is a small, simple engine that's easy to lift and transport.

by Wm. M. Harris.

regular price $15.95 Special $15.00

A Real Classic Locomotive

Building the Climax
Do you dream about building your own working steam locomotive? Here's an exciting locomotive to build & operate.
by Kozo Hiraoka.

regular price $50.00 Special $48.00

One of our best sellers

Building the New Shay

The 1920s geared locomotive

Step by step "How To" build a 1920s prototype locomotive engineered in 3/4" scale with instructions for scaling up to 1-1/2" scale. This is the fifth in a fabulous series.
Order this Brand New Book Today.

regular price $50.00 Special $48.00

For a limited time
Free Economy Domestic Shipping
for orders of $50 or more
select "free shipping" when you check out

Great First Project

The Pennsylvania A3 Switcher
How can a beginner build a steam locomotive? Kozo will show you how. His simple step by step approach is great for the beginning or amateur machinist. The Penn Switcher is a simple "Rod" engine, perfect as a first locomotive.
by Kozo Hiraoka.

regular price $50.00 Special $48.00

Most Popular Book on the subject

So You Want to Build a Live Steam Locomotive?
The "Must Have" for all live steam railroaders. Thinking about steam locomotives or building from scratch or a kit? You will find yourself referring to this book at every turn.
by Joseph F. Nelson.

regular price $42.00 Special $39.00

Everyone Loves the Shay

Building the Shay
Shays can out pull most all locos, even on rough track. The shay is a real favorite. by Kozo Hiraoka.

regular price $50.00 Special $48.00

The Workhorse of Logging and Mining

Building the Heisler
For a geared locomotive, this design is basic enough for the beginning machinist.. by Kozo Hiraoka.

regular price $50.00 Special $48.00

A "Must-Have" in the Machine Shop

Machine Shop Essentials: Questions & Answers (second edition)
Do you wish you had an expert guide you with your live steam locomotive project? Learn the ins and outs of lathes, milling machines & lots more. Don't power up your lathe or mill without this newly revised reference guide.
by Frank M. Marlow, PE.

$44.95

Civil Engineering for Outdoor Railroads vol. 2 - Bridges

Sorry, OUT OF STOCK

by Douglas van Veelen.

An engineering guide for the most important element of a riding scale railroad: The Bridge. Several bridge types are mentioned but the most common railroad bridge, the truss style, is analyzed in great detail. The theory and math for calculating construction is covered at length. It's not a "How To Build" book as much as an "in depth" treatment of how to calculate the load bearing abilities of a bridge structure. 202 pages. 11" x 8.5" spiral bound.

CD included with each book. $42.49