Building a Lima Locomotive: The Steam Locomotive Construction Process of Lima during 1924.

Here is an extraordinary window into what smokestack America was all about. The author takes you on a tour of a heavy manufacturing plant that built steam railroad locomotives in the year of 1924. He uses maps, large photographs and illustrations to help one to understand the lost art of commercial railroad locomotive manufacturing at the Lima Locomotive Works.

Cam-Tech Publishing, soft cover, 88 pages, 11 x 8.5 x .25 in., 18 illustrations; 53 b&w photographs. ct054 
Price: 19.95 USD

Lima, Ohio's, inspiring story of hundreds of dedicated volunteers who fed over four million soldiers and sailors at Lima's railroad stations during WW II, Korea and Viet Nam Wars. This was the longest operating railroad canteen in the United States.

This is a moving portrayal of devoted and selfless giving. Soldiers derived a powerful sense of purpose when greeted with friendly smiles and words of encouragement. Volunteers greeted thousands of troops daily. They served at track side, overcoming significant difficulties. Supported by donations from eleven counties, they did not allow the supply of scarce items to fail.

The text is laced with stirring letters from appreciative service men and women. Lima's dedicated track side ambassadors of kindness waved good-byes to those headed to battle and offered thanks to veterans who stood in defense of freedom and liberty from 1942 until 1970. It was Lima's finest hour!

Cam-Tech Publishing, soft cover, 130 pages, 11 x 8.5 x .25, b&w photographs. ct511 
Price: 19.95 USD

The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton: Henry Ford's Railroad.

The roots of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad go way back to March of 1849, when the Iron Railroad was chartered to bring coal, iron and limestone into the iron furnaces of the Ohio River town of Ironton, Ohio. This short railroad was the first part of the DT&I to operate, in 1852, but was eclipsed by the narrow gauge Springfield, Jackson and Pomeroy Railroad, which completed a line in 1878 from Springfield to Jackson, Ohio, to haul coal from southern Ohio into the industrial area around Springfield, Ohio. These predecessors of the DT&I continued to grow and in 1905 these lines reorganized as the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railway reaching from Delray Station in Detroit to Ironton Ohio-378 miles.

The DT&I struggled along barely maintaining its identity until it was purchased by the genius at marketing and manufacturing-Henry Ford. Fords fascinating regime on the DT&I is told in detail by the author. Ford did many things to, and with, the DT&I, some beneficial, some naive, but the net effect assured the financial future of the DT&I.

Scott Trostel, much to his credit, has approached the writing of the DT&I story in an unusual manner for modern historians. He has personally talked to practically all former employees of the DT&I management he could locate, and has explored their recollections, thoughts and stories at great length. Using judgment to balance out all of these interviews, some of which were no doubt conflicting, he has ended up with a valuable account of this most unique traffic-oriented railroad.

Contents:
Introduction, Foreword, pp. 10-12;
Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy Railroad, pp. 13-20;
The Ohio Southern Railroad Company, pp. 21-35;
Life and Times of the Early Railroad Men, pp. 36-42;
The Lima Northern Connection, pp. 43-54;
The Detroit Southern Company, pp. 55-65;
Formation of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton, pp. 66-78;
Reorganization of the DT&I, pp. 79-84;
Jackson-Wellston Coal Operations, pp. 85-89;
Summit HIll, pp. 90-96;
The Ford Years, pp. 97-154;
The Pennroad Purchase, pp. 155-185;
Transition Years, pp. 186-204;
The Springfield Suburban Railroad, pp. 205-208;
Pictorial Portrayal of Mixed Trains 1 and 2, pp. 209-219;
The Challenging 1960s, pp. 220-240;
The Winds of Reorganization, pp. 241-248;
The Final Years, pp. 249-264;
Locomotive and Equipment Rosters, pp. 265-312.

Cam-Tech Publishing, hard cover with jacket, 312 pages, 8.5 x 11 x 1 in., extensive text supplemented with over 400 b&w photographs; maps and illustrations; rosters. ct023 
Price: 50.95 USD

The Lincoln Funeral Train: The Final Journey and National Funeral for Abraham Lincoln.

Acclaimed as an extraordinary historic narrative recounting the thirteen-day National Funeral Journey for Abraham Lincoln.

This is the story of the nation's first national funeral, retracing the Lincoln Funeral Train from Washington, DC. to Springfield, Illinois, 1,700 miles. Millions of mourners gathered along the margins of the railroad tracks. In raw, cold, chilly winds, and rain, in the dark of night, millions of people witnessed the Lincoln Funeral Train.

With 143 photographs, maps and illustrations, this is a revealing story of the funeral cortege passing through endless miles of mourners, making unplanned stops for brief memorials. Citizens placed wreaths on the coffin, sung dirges, hymns, decorated memorial arches and made other public gestures of sorrow. An overwhelming manifestation of public grief showed popular appreciation for the President.

Each chapter covers one day of the journey and proceedings at each of the eleven planned memorial services conducted en route. Elaborate preparations and massive processional displays were conducted at the principal cities of Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Chicago and burial at Springfield, Illinois. Citizens seeking a glimpse of the slain president came in throngs and filled miles of city streets. Near riots ensued at some locations in the effort to honor the remains.

The overwhelming response of a nation during the sorrowful journey stands among extraordinary observances of the death of a Statesman. These momentous events form one of the most intensely impressive chapters of American history.

This book is one of the first to cover new and unexplored history of Abraham Lincoln. It is a fascinating recounting of the 1,700 mile journey and national funeral for Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Conducted over the railroads, this text details preparations, the eleven national funerals en route, and many trackside ceremonies. The logistics included passage over 22 railroads and two street railways involving 42 locomotives, approximately 80 pieces of passenger equipment and ferry moves.

Cam-Tech Publishing, soft cover, 224 pages, 11 x 8.5 x .75 in., 25 maps; photographs and illustrations; bibliography and index. ct214 
Price: 29.95 USD

This book gives a glimpse of the inventions associated with the railroad industry, thus only one or two images are used per patent.

Included in this book are famous and not-so-famous patents. From the Pennsylvania Railroad's 6-8-6 Turbine to the locomotive bodies for EMD F-units and ALCo PAs, contained herein are of the some genius and innovative flair of the railroad equipment designers.

Cam-Tech Publishing, soft cover, 150 pages, 11 x 8.5 x .25 in., b&w illustrations and text. ct245 
Price: 27.95 USD