Book Reviews

The Complete Atlas Wiring Book by The Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc., 2007, 55 pages

This is the new version of the Atlas wiring book, advertised as updated for 2008. It is very comprehensive and includes sections on turnouts, switches, crossings, cab control, reversing loops, snap-relays, turntables, and everything else you might want to provide power to – on your 2 rail DC current layout. There is absolutely nothing in this book addressing 3 rail layouts. While this fact is stated in the introduction of the book and again later on in Chapter 1, it is not made clear in the advertising materials put out by Atlas. In addition, while this book addresses 3 rail track very briefly as track for older O Gauge locomotives, 3 rail track is a product that Atlas still sells.

 

I purchased this book in hopes it would help me solve a wiring problem I was having with my 3 rail Atlas track. Unfortunately, I was not able to use the information in this book to solve my problem. This book is a very easy read and does have lots of diagrams. It does appear to be a helpful guide for anyone wishing to complete electrical work on a 2 rail layout. At this time, however, it is hard to recommend this book if you are working on a 3 rail layout, as it does not address 3 rail track.

Complete Atlas Wiring Book ATL12

Warman’s Lionel Train Field Guide, 1945-1969 by David Doyle, 2006, Krause Publications, 510 pages

 

This little guide is one of our favorite books to keep in the car when traveling to auctions or estate sales. Packed with color pictures, this book gives the reader a comprehensive listing of Lionel rolling stock, accessories and sets manufactured between 1945 and 1969. Each item listed includes a stock number, description, and values in varying states of condition. Descriptions of condition and rarity, dating trains, Lionel boxes, and a brief history of the Lionel company are included. While this book does not include pictures of every piece listed, many examples are included and we have found the pictures very helpful when identifying Lionel stock, even if the pieces are not pictured or were manufactured slightly after 1969. This is a must have book if you are a Lionel collector or are even thinking about starting a vintage Lionel collection.

Warman's Lionel Train Field Guide: Values And Identification (Warman's Field Guides Lionel Train 1945-1969: Values & Identificatio)

Easy Model Railroad Wiring, Second Edition by Andy Sperandeo, 1999, Kalmbach Publishing Co.,  128 pages

This book is written so well that, if you know nothing about electronics or model train components, you will still understand it. The beginning chapters are perfect for the novice who needs to know about the electrical components of model railroading, while the later chapters help the person who is ready to expand a basic train set into a more complex, permanent layout. Being that this book was written in 1999, the one topic that is not covered in this book is the use of the newer types of snap together track, such as Lionel’s FasTrack, and how that type of track affects wiring. Aside from that, this book is a great resource and very easy to understand.

Easy Model Railroad Wiring, Second Edition (Model Railroader)