Search Results: South Platte Press from Arizona Hobbies LLC

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. The Nebraska-Kansas Railroad was owned and operated by the Ideal Cement Company at its plant near Superior, Nebraska. This small industrial railway, about four miles long at maximum length, crossed the state line from the cement plant in Nebraska to the company's rock quarry in Kansas. Hauls of the N-K Railroad were almost exclusively limestone rock for use in the manufacture of cement at the Superior plant. The line achieved national fame when Ripley's 'Believe It or Not' cited it as being the shortest interstate railroad in the U.S. The N-K, which at various times used electric, steam and diesel power, operated until the end of cement production at the Superior plant in 1986. This book includes 95 B&W illustrations. Contents: Acknowledgements, Introduction, pp. 4-7, Map of the Nebraska-Kansas Railroad, pg. 8, Map of the Ideal Cement Plant at Superior, Nebraska, pg. 9, Why Build a Cement Plant at Superior, Nebraska?, pp 10-12, A Brief Corporate History, pg. 13,… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. South Platte Press, softcover, 120 pages, 60 B&W illustrations. Many stories about the Union Pacific Railroad have centered around its construction as part of the nation's first transcontinental rail line. One of the more famous stories concern the Plum Creek Raid, in which three UP employees were killed and a UP freight train was derailed by the Northern Cheyenne on August 7, 1867, near Plum Creek (now Lexington), Nebraska. It is the best-known instance in which Native Americans successfully wrecked the ""iron horse"" during their struggle against the encroachment of the railroad on their tribal lands. The incident includes the unusual tale of UP employee William Thompson and his scalp. Noted railroad historian Thornton Waite looks at the many conflicting versions of events related to the incident, and how it has been been portrayed in the media over the past 150-plus years. Contents: Foreword, Introduction, pp. 5-12, Building the Union Pacific in Nebraska, pp.… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. The Wymore Story is a classic account of Burlington Route Railroad operations in the southeast Nebraska region. Focusing on what was once the Wymore Division, headquartered at Wymore, Nebraska, it's a story of vintage steam locomotives, Zephyr passenger trains, and branch line motor cars. Each operating subdivision is covered with details about passenger and freight traffic, motive power and facilities. However, this new edition also features a total revision of the text and layout. More historic photographs have been added, plus additional material which updates the story through both the Burlington Northern and BNSF eras. Contents: Introduction, pp. 3-6, Subdivisions of the Wymore Division, pp. 7-30, Officers, Facilities and Motive Power, pp. 31-50, The Wonderful Days of the Wymore Division, pp. 51-66, Burlington Northern 1970-1995, pp. 67-78, Branch Line Finale, pp. 79-82, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, pp. 83-88, Epilogue, pp. 89-91, Wymore Division Statistics,… Read More

South Platte Press, 2024. Softcover. New. Softcover, 88 pages, 120 Color illustrations. The merger that created Burlington Northern in 1970 and Amtrak's assumption of intercity passenger service in 1971 brought significant change to BN's roster of E-units. This culminated in 1972 with the sale of 21 E-units to the West Suburban Mass Transit District for use in Chicago-Aurora suburban service. Following a rebuilding program, these units provided almost 20 years of reliable service on the Chicago ""race track."" Authored by noted Chicago commuter rail historian Bruce Nelson, this is the story of the last large E-unit fleet in regular service in America.

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. This is a study of the last years of operation by the former Burlington Northern Railroad of its once-extensive agrarian branch line rail system across the prairie regions of southeast Nebraska. The authors explain how these branch lines were operated during the late 1950 era by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and again during the Burlington Northern era of the 1970s-1980s. Included are co-author Hedgpeth's first-person account of working on these branch lines as a CB&Q brakeman. Some 95 rare and large format images, most in color, illustrate how the BN continued to provide freight service to many small town shippers just prior to abandonment of many of the lines depicted. Also included is a detailed map of past and remaining branch lines in the area. Contents: Acknowledgements, Introduction, pp. 2-6, Nebraska's BN Branch Line Era, pp. 7-9, CB&Q Branch Epitome, pp. 10-14, BN Branch Transition, pp. 15-20, Competitor With Branch Lines, pp. 21-22,… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. A History of the Presidential F-Units by Bruce C. Nelson. This book details the story of five Chicago & North Western Railway F7 diesel units that saw a wide variety of uses over 40 years of service. Purchased as freight units intended primarily to replace steam power, they were ultimately selected for the prestigious assignment of pulling the C&NW's business cars. Supporters soon nicknamed the units 'Presidential Fs' in recognition of their lofty status. Another name bestowed on them was 'the 400 Club,' stemming from their renumbering to the 400 series in honor of the historic C&NW streamliner known as the '400.' Author Bruce Nelson takes a chronological look at the history of these units, including mechanical details, operational assignments, stories from C&NW employees, and the units' ultimate disposition following retirement in 1989. Contents: Acknowledgements, Prologue, Introduction, pp. 4-10, F Units for Freight Service, pp. 11-14, Passenger Service, pp.… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. By 1985, many of the larger U.S. and Canadian railroads began hiring outside contractors to transport train crews to their rest terminals following the end of their legally limited 12 hours of work, and to otherwise assist them in their work duties. The author of this book, Darrell Wendt, was employed eight years (2000-2008) as a crew van driver with one of these contractors, Renzenberger, Inc. He worked out of the firm's Council Bluffs Region, which covered about a 280-mile radius of Omaha, Neb., and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Writing about a little-known part of modern railroading, Darrell uses sincerity and humor to describe what it was like to be a train crew hauler for the Union Pacific and other rail companies. The book is illustrated with more than 75 B&W photographs taken by the author. South Platte Press, softcover, 104 pages, smaller portrait format, B&W photographs.

South Platte Press, 2022. Softcover. New. Softcover, 88 pages, 8.5 x 11 in, 30 B&W illustrations. In June 1905, two-year-old Paul Ussary was playing on the railroad tracks of the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railway near Powell, Nebraska. Tragedy seemed certain when a freight train suddenly rounded the curve. However, the locomotive's fireman, George Poell, suddenly leaps into action. Little Paul is saved, but George is maimed for life. Hailed a national hero, George becomes the first recipient of a new Congressional medal for railroad valor. It's a long-forgotten story of hero worship, political scandal and bonds of eternal gratitude between two men. It's also a historic account of what is now the A-B-C line of the Union Pacific Railroad in Nebraska. Contents: Preface, Introduction, pp. 5-10, Grand Island and Hanover, pp. 11-14, The St. Joseph & Grand Island Railroad, 15-20, The A-B-C Railroad, pp. 21-23, A Town Called Powell, pp. 24-26, Just Another Day at Work, pp. 27-31, To Save a Child, pp. 32-36,… Read More

South Platte Press, 2023. Softcover. New. Softcover, 122 pages, 9 x 6 in., B&W illustrations. Richard Harvey (William's father) emigrated to the United States from England in 1907. His social status improved with employment by the Union Pacific Railroad as an engineer. William, called Tom, followed his father's footsteps and also went into engine service with the UP hiring out as a fireman at the age of 17. Thanks to a rough-draft manuscript and oral recordings from the 1980s, this book was able to be written. This book is a true story about the men who climbed into the cabs of huge steam locomotives and operated them during the age of steam-powered train travel along the Union Pacific Railroad. The author allows the reader to peer into both the engine cab and household residence of a UP employee and his family living in Wyoming during the 1929-1960 era. A second-generation UP railroader, the author joined the company in 1941 as a 17-year-old fireman in freight service between Rawlins and Green… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. First published in 1986, this is a greatly revised and updated edition of this popular book concerning the former McCook Division of the Burlington Railroad. Covering the years 1878 to 2009, THE HIGH PLAINS ROUTE recounts the story of the original CB&Q (later BN and now BNSF) main line from Hastings, Nebraska to Denver, Colorado, as well as branch lines, once operated under the division. It is profusely illustrated with 250 B&W photographs, many of them new to this edition. Updated material includes photographs and information regarding former McCook Division territory in the BNSF era. Author Richard Kistler is a well-known Burlington Route historian with other credits that include his book on the Burlington's Wymore Division, THE WYMORE STORY. Contents: Introduction, CB&Q System Map, McCook Division Map, pp. 7-11, Mainline Construction and Operation, pp. 12-22, McCook Division Branch Lines, pp. 23-36, The Sterling-Wymore Divisions, pp. 37-44, Passenger Service,… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. Kansas Central Narrow Gauge: Slim Rails Across the Midlands by I. E. Quastler The Kansas Central Railway was one of America's pioneer narrow gauge railroads which started in 1871 and extended westward from the Missouri River at Leavenworth, Kansas. This slim princess' of the prairies operated as both an independent carrier and, ultimately, as a branch of the Union Pacific Railroad. Kansas Central Narrow Gauge skillfully recounts the story of the bold dreams and economic folly which brought slim gauge railroading to the plains of northeast Kansas. Contents: Preface and Acknowledgements, pp. 5-6, Narrow Gauge Comes to Leavenworth, pp. 7-18, Construction Begins, pp. 19-36, The Depression Years of the 1870s, pp. 37-48, The Kansas Central Railroad, pp. 49-64, Narrow Gauge Woes, pp. 65-78, Conversion to Standard Gauge, pp. 79-82, Locomotive Roster, 1871-1890, pp. 83-86, Equipment Roster, 1885-1894, pp. 87-90, Data on Operations, 1883-1890, pp. 91-92, Endnotes, pp.… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. Robert Olmsted, well-known railroad photographer and prolific Publisher//of railroad books, has teamed up with South Platte Press to publish a pictorial about Don Ball Curve, located in Roberts hometown of Lawrence, Kansas. Informally named for another master of railroad photography and book publishing, the curve is located along the Kansas City-Denver main line of the Union Pacific. Using Robert's own excellent black & white photography, the book is devoted to the Union Pacific and Rock Island trains (the latter using trackage rights) that have rolled through Don Ball Curve between 1948 and 2007. It can also serve as a guide for railfans interested in visiting Lawrence and the Curve with its current high Volume of train traffic. Most photographs are from the 1950s and 60s. There is as much Rock Island as Union Pacific subjects in the selection of photographs-especially a number of RI 4-8-4s. Plus see Wabash Es on The City of St. Louis, detouring Burlington Es,… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. This is a mostly-color pictorial of the last seven years of the railroad town of Wymore, Nebraska, once an important division point on the Burlington Railroad. The final decline of rail service to Wymore is documented from the viewpoint of a local freight that operated from Lincoln to Wymore, and those BNSF employees who operated the trains. This book serves as a sequel to Burlington Route: The Wymore Story, published by South Platte Press, which told of Wymore's rich Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail history. Last Train to Wymore is an informative account of the end of a railroad town and a poignant look at the demise of the once-common local freight train. Contents: Introduction, pg. 5, The Wymore Local, pp. 6-8, Route of the Wymore Local, pp. 9-17, Motive Power of the Wymore Local, pp. 18-27, Union Pacific Bids Farewell, pp. 28-38, Last Train Out, pp. 39-45, A New Day, pp. 46-51, Motive Power on the Beatrice Subdivision Today, pp. 52-54, Beatrice Area Railroad… Read More

South Platte Press, 2023. Softcover. New. Softcover, 64 pages, 8.5 x 11 in., 84 Color photographs and illustrations. All photos are in Color including two photos of UP light steam and early diesels. The Nebraska Central Railroad Company is a vital artery to the central and eastern Nebraska economy. NCRC began operations in 1993 after leasing five Union Pacific branch lines in the Cornhusker State that total about 250 miles. This regional railroad serves both ag-related and manufacturing industries in the Norfolk, Columbus and Grand Island regions. Focusing on both the historical and modern eras of the company, the book is a visitor's guide to NCRC operations. Included are maps, rail traffic details and a current locomotive roster. The author, a former NCRC employee, took most of the photographs that illustrate this informative guide. Contents: Introduction, pp. 5-6, Nebraska Central Railroad History, pp. 7-9, Union Pacific Heritage Gallery, pp. 10-13, Albion Sub, pp. 14-21, Cedar Sub, pp. 22-25,… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. This new edition features a new cover and a new foreword detailing recent events regarding the Canteen. Just 10 days after Pearl Harbor, the residents of North Platte, Neb., learned that their own Company D, Nebraska National Guard, which had been training in Arkansas, was going to pass through the city en route to the West Coast. About 500 family members and friends hurried to the Union Pacific Railroad station with cookies, candy, cakes and cigarettes. After a long wait, a troop train rumbled into the station - with a unit from the Kansas National Guard. The residents were disappointed until someone in the crowd said, Well, what are we waiting for ""Welcome to our city, sons, and here's a little something for you."" They then passed out to these boys the gifts they had arranged for their own. This was the beginning of the North Platte Canteen. Every day, from 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers, sailors and marines visited the North Platte Canteen in the Union Pacific… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. Otto Perry and the Union Pacific Nebraska Division by Michael M. Bartels and James J. Reisdorff. This book features the best photo work of the late and well-known railroad photographer, Otto C. Perry from Denver, as they relate to Perry's travels over a 30-year period along the former Nebraska Division of the Union Pacific Railroad. This main line division extended from Council Bluffs, Iowa, across portions of Nebraska and Colorado, to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ninety-two B&W illustrations from the years 1925-1958 include the last of steam, early diesels and classic streamliners along the Overland Route. This title, published in cooperation with the Great Plains Chapter of the National Railway HS, also seeks to help promote the construction of a railroad viewing platform at Grand Island, Nebraska. South Platte Press, softcover, 80 pages, 10 x 8.5 x .25 in., B&W photographs printed on high-quality coated paper.

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. South Platte Press, softcover, 64 pages, standard portrait book 8 x 10 in., B&W photographs, DUS Timeline, bibliography. Passenger Trains of Denver: The Decade Before Amtrak 1960-1970 by John D. Mummert. This book provides an informative review of passenger train service to Colorado's Mile High City in the last full decade before the start of Amtrak in 1971. Synopsis histories are provided for Denver Union Station and for every passenger train from six major railroads (AT&SF, CB&Q, CRI&P, D&RGW, MP and UP) that operated into Denver during this era. A brief overall operational history is provided for each train, plus sample equipment consists from different years-illustrating the rise and fall of some of the most famous passenger trains to operate across the western United States. Also included is a timeline showing the gradual demise of train service to Union Station, plus an example of why Passenger Service to Denver became a matter of nostalgia versus… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. In the opinion of many who were witness to the epoch of the streamlined passenger train, the precursor that presented a beautiful first impression of the conveyance in its tow was either the E8 or E9 diesel-electric locomotive. These high-speed machines were constructed by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Ill., between 1949 and 1964. Customers included the Union Pacific Railroad, which acquired cab-equipped A units and cabless booster B units of both models. All E8/E9 units have since been retired from regular revenue passenger service. However, Union Pacific has been in the forefront of corporate history preservation by retaining an active trio of E9s as part of its steam and diesel heritage fleet. The E's now appear across the expanse of the UP system while heading up passenger specials that recreate the company's Road of the Streamliners image. This book is a pictorial celebration of the Union Pacific E8 and E9 diesel locomotive and a… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. The map of Nebraska and South Dakota shows many abandoned railroad lines. But in both length and elapsed time of construction, the 208 miles of the Chicago & North Western Railway branch line from Norfolk, Nebraska, to Wood, South Dakota, stands out. The first part was built only six years after gold was discovered in the Black Hills, when South Dakota was still part of Dakota Territory. The final push beyond Winner, South Dakota, one of the last agricultural branch lines built, came on the eve of the Great Depression. In between it traversed country rich in scenery and history. The line played a vital role in bringing in trainloads of land seekers to the opening of the Rosebud Indian Reservation to white settlement in the early 1900s, and the story of this both dramatic and tragic period in American history is told in detail. Contents: Acknowledgements and Introduction, pp. 4-9, Beginnings in Northeast Nebraska, pp. 9-13, On to South Dakota, pp. 9-13, Rivalry:… Read More

South Platte Press. Softcover. New. Rock Island Town Fairbury, Nebraska: Western Division by Michael M. Bartels Fairbury, Nebraska was once the headquarters of the Rock Island's Western Division spanning hundreds of miles of territory from the Missouri River to Colorado Rockies. At its peak the Rock Island employed 600 men and women there. Fairbury had a large combination depot with division offices, a large roundhouse and was a crew-change point on the Rocky Mountain Rocket route between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Phillipsburg, Kansas. The depot has been restored and is now a museum. The history of the Rock Island in Fairbury is presented with many B&W photographs, maps and diagrams. Contents: Acknowledgements, pp. 3-4, Window on the World, pp. 5-6, Trails to Rails, pp. 7-16, The Fairbury Depot, pp. 17-24, Train Time, pp. 25-32, Community Ties, pp. 33-42, Rockets and Rebirth, pp. 43-50, Diesels and Decline, pp. 51-62, Death of a Railroad, pp. 63-72, Landmark Reborn, pp. 73-78, Bibliography, pp.… Read More