Railroad Books are Going Up in Value. What’s up with this?

Asking that price and getting it are two different things.  One thing IS for sure though is that railroad books tend to be very niche market items, and just like limited interest magazine, they are priced accordingly.  I can get about four years of Hot Rod which has a big circulation for what a year of Trains costs me.  After these books go out of print and if they are especially good, the prices go upward.  Look to see what an old copy Of Sulzer's Ghost Railroads of Indiana goes for.  Copies of Parker & Simon's Railroads of Indiana often sell on ebay for more than I paid for my copy from a bookstore when it first came out a good twenty years ago.  The market for people that would pay $175.00 for a DT&I book (and doesn't already have it) probably could be counted on one hand.

I would never pay that kind of money for a railroad book. Not even a Nickel Plate book! 

My experience is that you can't give even excellent railroad books away.  The guys like me who really enjoy books already have large libraries.  Many of us older folks are trying to sell off our collections.  The younger folks prefer to get all of their railroad information from the internet.

I have tried to sell excellent books that cost $50 to $80 new for $10 at train shows without takers.

NH Joe

Well, I have never seen $50-$60 Morning Sun Books for $10. Believe me I would have bought a bunch of them. The best I ever did was get two of them (NYC) for $20 each on eBay plus shipping which wasn't a whole lot.

I also paid almost double ($70) for "Rails up the Raritan" (the story of the Raritan River RR) but I had to. It's the only book on that railroad and it was long out of print. I kept hearing rumors of a 2nd printing but after a few years I gave up waiting. Unfortunately, the 2nd printing did eventually come out and it was an expanded edition with extra pictures and could be had brand new for $39.95. 

Recently, I got "CNJ steam in color" from my LHS for $32. A good book with a lot of good color shots. I felt it was a fair deal as it is in like new condition and brand new retails over $50. I believe it was some sort of consignment sale. At a local train show I got a hard cover book on C&O coal operations for $8. I don't know what it cost new but for $8 I didn't think I could go wrong. 

When someone sells those books real cheap on this forum they seem to sell fast. At least when I notice the post anything I am interested in is gone. OTOH, someone trying to get close to retail the books will stay there a long time it seems. 

Your mileage may vary. This has been my experience. 

Not just prototypes. Check the current prices for John Allen Gorre&Daphetid, or Lionel Display Layouts books.  

This is the same as what you see on places like Ebay. Do a search for a certain train car and you will find a whole range of prices.

Doing a search for a certain book, you can come up a number of book sellers all with a range of prices from very reasonable to stratospheric. Use different sources such as Amazon, Abebooks or Alibris and you can more often than not find what you are looking for at a price you can afford. Book condition will be a factor in price as will how rare the book might be and how much the seller thinks they can skin you for.

One reason that I don't like buying "sight unseen" is that the book (or any item for that matter) might not come up to your expectations. I have bought many a book like that and thankfully have been able to resell them without a loss. Be careful, some of those books, many by well known authors, that you think you need are nothing more than fluff jobs!!!

Some railroad books become very popular and the prices soar, others you can't give away. Here are a few of the more expensive books.

The Shay Locomotive: Titan of the Timber: This book is typically for sale any where from $250. to $800.

The Trail of the Blue Comet: This one usually runs between $100. and $200.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting: There were two volumes of this book, one on lanterns and one on lamps.The typically run over $100. a piece.

Gary, maybe the just saw you coming..   On the serious side. I think it depends on where your looking.

I have the Trail of the Blue Comet. The book is worth every penny.

The books cost as much as some engines. I'll stick with the engines.

I have some rr books that I too can't give away. yeah good luck with the $175.00 value on those!

I buy books in which I have interest, when announced. RR books are short print runs (5-10,000?) and once they are gone, they might be hard to obtain in the future. The $174 for a DT&I book is Amazon hype. Amazon's first price is reasonable, the next quotes are from LaLa Land.

whoever prices a morning sun book at$174 is in la-la-land.....i have about 40 and never paid more than $30 for most of them. just got one of the new conrail  and N.S. heritage units books on ebay for $25 each/free shipping... also the ac&y book when it came out...$51 shipped

Try your local library using I.L.L. or MelCAT (for participating MI libraries).

Here's a link showing that 4 libraries in MI have this title:

http://search.mel.org/iii/enco...suite=gold#locations

It's not just railroad books. Almost any out of print book on Amazon gets a crazy price tag.

The Michael Koch Shay book was in the 250+ range several decades back as I recall.

Can I say "Bubble"?

http://morningsunbooks.com/collections/the-midwest

I am not going to pay the big bucks, I did go to my Public Library, the Branch Manager is also a model railroader, HO Scale.  He did find a digital copy but not a hard copy, searching all Michigan's Public Libraries.  He is going to search all the Univeristy Libraries and get back to me. 

Questions

1.  -  Where could I take this Digital /ebook to get printed?

2.  -  Has anyone done this and what company did you use? 

Thanks for everyones input..............

I just bought six books.

Four Morning Sun (Steel Railroads) at $60 each plus freight and Aust dollar exchange won't tell you the final cost you would be horrified.

Also bought South Buffalo Railroad (great story some good photos) really interesting, liked that book, and The Railroad Switching Terminal at Maybrook New York that wasn't what I thought it was but interesting for me learn a bit more about American railroads. I won't buy Digital books I hate them rather have the book in my hands so I can refer to it all the time straight off the bookshelf and I do that a lot being an Australian make that West Australian, I'd rather pay the extra I figure it's money well spent for me anyway for research, I read the print off the pages. If your modelling Railroads you are better off referring to the real thing not other person's modelling that way you might get it right yes look at ways other modellers do things by all means but you can't beat the prototype.

Like bushwalking (hiking) the golden rule, never follow another person's footprints they might be lost, use your map and compass and time and distance.

I get something out of every book I read.

Roo.

There are a few excellent books which are actually worth a higher price, at least to some of us. A friend on the Forum (Bob/CNJ 3676) recommended Pemperton and Hightstown: A Chronicle of Railroading through the Farm Belt of New Jersey by John Brinkmann. I never even heard of it until he recommended it. I paid $150 for an autographed edition. I wouldn't trade it for $2000. It is now my favorite railroad book (out of many that I have) which led me to write an article for the PRRT&HS. Also, all of the PRR related Triumph series books are pretty pricey. I told myself I would never get any of them. Instead, getting one led me to get the next in the series until I got them all.  Show me another book/series that matches them in research and detail...just like some pay high prices for their locomotives, some of us like a good book every now and then. 

Tom 

South Buffalo Book is great ! I purchased it the year it came out for my Father in Law who worked on the SB since 1956.

He loved it ! Sad news is he is getting Alzheimer's. But he reminisces of his days work on the Erie too where he started at 17 as a fireman.  HAppy Fathers to all you Dads out there.

Prices for items online are often determined automatically by computer algorithms, and sometimes they become outrageous.  A couple of weeks ago, I was looking at a book which normally sells for +/- $20.  Next day, I went back and the price had jumped to almost $2000.  Next day, it was back to $20.  I also had an item on Amazon go up $1.50 while it was in my cart.  

Don't put too much stock in these fluctuations, and don't overpay.

All hail our computer overlords! 

I got one other story. As I mentioned before my LHS takes in estate sales and consignments so I never know what they are going to have. One time I went there and had a book by David Doyle called Lionel Train Sets 1945-1969. I was interested in this because I have what I believe are two or three sets from this era. The book was in very good condition and the price was $29.95. So I took it up to the register and the owner said that the book was a consignment sale. She said she had to look up the price and get back to me next time I stop by. She put the book aside for me. When I got there the following week she said the book was $100. This was not her price but the price of the person who was selling it. I told her that that was more than I was willing to spend. As soon as I got home I researched the book on the Internet and I found that Amazon had in price ranges from $27 (fair condition) $38 (very good condition) $60 (like new condition) and $80 (brand new condition). I sent her an email explaining what I found out and I told her I would offer to pay $40 for the book. She said she would relay my offer to the seller. I thought to myself that no way is the guy going to come down $60 but the guy did and I got it for $40. 

To be honest I don't know if I would pay more than a $100 for any railroad book but if it was that rare and a really good book and I really, really wanted it I might. 

seems I paid $125 for "Waycars of the CB&Q"  and  like $135 for "Steam Locomotives of the Great Northern Ry".    Worth every penny in both cases. Beat going to the gambling boat and blowing it !!

mark s posted:

seems I paid $125 for "Waycars of the CB&Q"  and  like $135 for "Steam Locomotives of the Great Northern Ry".    Worth every penny in both cases. Beat going to the gambling boat and blowing it !!

Wow.  I paid the princely sum of $9.95 for "Waycars" when it first came out.   Got my "Steam Locomotives of the Burlington Route" as a Christmas present from my parents a loooooooooong time ago.  I remember paying $50.00 for the reprint of "Iron Horses of the Santa Fe Trail" when it came out.  Coulda bought an AHM HO Big Boy instead...  Glad I didn't.

It seems we've entered the age where many poo-poo books because of their cost and the hallowed internet.  Well, The books I own have enhanced the model railroading hobby for me and the internet doesn't know everything.

Rusty

It's funny how several people mentioned the South Buffalo book. Purely by coincidence, I just purchased a copy at my local train store today. The book is every bit as good as indicated in the posts above. 

Bob

Book prices are all over the place. I purchase what I want, and typically at "fair enuf" prices. Some of my books have supposedly increased in value, some have supposedly decreased. I don't really care. I didn't purchase them for an "investment".

I get a LOT of mileage from a good book. Decades worth. Neat thing about books, is they can be read/enjoyed, then go to the shelf for ?? years, only to be retrieved at a much later date and enjoyed all over again.  Plus, they are fantastic for "throne time reading".    Also they are invaluable for research/etc. I have books covering all different types of regions, era's, railroads, etc. Love 'em!

Bottom line: It's up to each individual to decide whether a particular desired book is worth what one gives.

Andre

Last book I bought was the recent one on Vinegar and Pickles in the Midwest -- tons of good information regarding that industry and how that related to the specialized RR cars that were used. 

Pricing - had not noticed increases actually - small runs and limited audiences tends to put these books at a bit of a premium.  These are information resources generally -- then again, look at what a large hardback fiction book retails at.....  

Might want to peruse Ron's for RR books - usually has a pretty large inventory and does a lot of shows and meets.

http://www.ronsbooks.com/

 Everything can't cost a 5 cents, Lucy.....

When our house burned I lost most of my books which broke my heart. Not many RR books but  were military history oriented. Over the years I have built up a large collection of RR books including  ones on the PRR, B&LE, EBT, the Colorado narrow gauges,  the logging and mining trains plus others. I look at train shows and antique shops mostly. Can't afford most new ones. I have bought a bunch of books put out by Wayne Cole that cover a lot of the old small local RRs of western Pa. and eastern Ohio. Plus he has covered the old street car lines of the area. We had two interurbans go through Butler Co. and I have read about them and tried to follow what is left of their ROWS. To me, books are priceless especially since I don't watch TV  very much, if at all. I don't dwell on the price, they are to be enjoyed.

Kelly Anderson posted:

Abebooks.com shows a pretty good spread for "One Man's Locomotives".

I would just like to recommend this book to any Forumite who has any interest in the inside stories of railroad locomotive ownership, design, or construction.  Vernon Smith worked for an Iron Range railroad as a Fireman, and later was a Sales Engineer for Fanklin (poppet valve gear for steam locomotives), worked in the Santa Fe Mechanical Department (including riding on the first trip of an Alco PA-1 passenger diesel), and was the head of the Mechanical Department of the Belt Railway of Chicago.

This book is a good read.

mwb posted:

 

 Everything can't cost a 5 cents, Lucy.....

Exactly!

Rusty

One of my favorite books regarding railroads is: Set Up Running: The Life of a Pennsylvania Railroad Engineman, 1904-1949. It is written by John Orr who was the son of a PRR engineman Oscar Orr and chronicles his father's journeys across the PRR system operating various locomotives and detailing movements. It gives a really insightful look at how much work had to be put in to become successful as Oscar was as an employee of the PRR. In fact he mentions a fantastic story how his father had to start a 16 car passenger train with a lone D16sb that was out of sand! The D16sb was used since the original locomotive, a K4, went down with a mechanical problem.

To me it is incumbent upon the individual to search out best possible prices through several sources. I haven't paid full retail price for any books I have purchased in several years. Check the various online auction sites. Check several retailer sites and also go to a local train show, usually there is someone there selling books at very reasonable prices. Unless a book is very old and especially desirable, take your time and do some research.

Happy searching.!

You cannot use Amazon or Ebay as your basis for values of books. In either case, you'll have some sellers 'fishing' with a crazy value to see if someone who didn't do their homework bites. And it pays off enough to keep that going.

I am seeing values dropping sharply in RR books. There's a Milwaukee Road book that until a couple of years ago would sell for way over $100, but I've been routinely seeing them for a fraction of that price in the past year or so. I got mine for $30 not long ago.

Having sales tables at model RR shows in the last few years, I've watched railroad book values drop off sharply in the secondary market, even for newer ones. I got a few good Morning Son published books for about $20 each at a recent show and they retail for around 60. And even in that case, the seller had dozens of them at that price and nobody was stampeding to buy the others.

645 posted:

mark s posted:

I buy books in which I have interest, when announced. RR books are short print runs (5-10,000?) and once they are gone, they might be hard to obtain in the future.

Very few railroad books get a second (or more) printing nowadays. The days of multiple printing runs are long gone as was done with Staufer's 'Pennsy Power' and other popular railroad titles years ago.

The typical Morning Sun title has a press run of 3,000 books. For a very popular railroad like the PRR it may be 3,300 to 3,500 copies. This is information from a friend who personally knows Bob Yanosey who is the publisher/owner of Morning Sun Books.

Morning Sun only does one press run of each title and once sold out eventually a digital reprint is made available. The only exception to this is 'Penn Central Power' which Morning Sun did a second printing of 25 years after the first print run.

I've found deals on railroad books on Amazon and eBay - just need to be patient and know what the prices are so one can snap up a deal if it gets listed.

PENN CENTRAL POWER?   Guess people like worms!

p51 posted:

You cannot use Amazon or Ebay as your basis for values of books. In either case, you'll have some sellers 'fishing' with a crazy value to see if someone who didn't do their homework bites. And it pays off enough to keep that going.

I am seeing values dropping sharply in RR books. There's a Milwaukee Road book that until a couple of years ago would sell for way over $100, but I've been routinely seeing them for a fraction of that price in the past year or so. I got mine for $30 not long ago.

Ditto that.

One local  measure...Evening of the Diesel, a tome on final GTW steam power...has been declining steadily for a couple/few years now.  And, most recently an estate horde of this book in brand new condition (final stock purchase from long ago, apparently) has been released to the market, driving the book value even lower.

As mentioned above, books on Colorado railroads, once in short supply and steep secondary market prices, have been steadily in price decline.

The DT&I example??   What you seek and what you reap are often two different numbers on book prices.  It certainly is worthwhile to keep your eyes peeled for the out-of-print items you seek, but patience in the book market pays dividends.  So, how desperate with your own mortality and bucket list of books are you?......really?

Just MHO, of course.....

KD

A note to the original poster:

If you want the DT&I book, try The Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway, NJ at 732-968-5696. The store is one of Morning Sun's principal dealers and often still has titles which have sold at the publisher. I have met with success on a number of occasions in this manner. Even if Morning Sun has sold out, The Model Railroad still doesn't attempt to charge a premium like some others might. They mail order regularly so shipping the book to you won't be a problem for them.

Good luck,

Bob

For years I wanted a hardcover copy of Speedway to Sunshine : The Story of the Florida East Coast Railway by Seth H. Bramson, but most copies were over $100.

Last year I found a newer edition on Amazon for $20 including shipping. I guess it paid to wait.

Sean

"The Detroit, Toledo, and Ironton Railroad"  (Henry Ford's Railroad), by Scott Trostel, can be bought, there autographed, from him at midwest train shows, for a LOT less than that fantasy land figure above.  He also has written a number of other books, including one on the Lincoln Funeral train.  As for low quantities, I think Scott's books are self-published.  That book, mentioned above, "Waycars of the CB&Q" is the one on my list, wanted to add to the fantastic one on MoPac cabooses....these prairie roads had an interesting wide variety of cabooses.  Good to know that prices may be coming down on it.  I am always amazed at the minor, obscure, and unheard of railroads books exist for, that I spot just walking through a show.  Like old O scale kits, I'd like a comprehensive list, but by railroad for which there is a book.

Way back when (1997, I believe), I bought the book, “The Toy Train Department: Electric Train Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears Christmas Wishbooks of the 1950's and 1960's” edited by Thomas W. Holland.  

What I didn’t realize was that subsequently (August 1998), a sequel was published:  “The Toy Train Department - Volume 2: Electric Train Pages from the Great Montgomery Wards Christmas Catalogs of the 1950's and 1960's.”  Very few copies must have been printed – the current price on Amazon for a used copy of this paperback is $446.99! 

 https://www.amazon.com/Toy-Tra...istmas/dp/1887790063

 I’d love to get a copy but not at that price.

PGentieu posted:

Way back when (1997, I believe), I bought the book, “The Toy Train Department: Electric Train Catalog Pages from the Legendary Sears Christmas Wishbooks of the 1950's and 1960's” edited by Thomas W. Holland.  

What I didn’t realize was that subsequently (August 1998), a sequel was published:  “The Toy Train Department - Volume 2: Electric Train Pages from the Great Montgomery Wards Christmas Catalogs of the 1950's and 1960's.”  Very few copies must have been printed – the current price on Amazon for a used copy of this paperback is $446.99! 

 https://www.amazon.com/Toy-Tra...istmas/dp/1887790063

 I’d love to get a copy but not at that price.

AbeBooks has it for $165.75.

Thanks, Arthur.  That's a big improvement but still way too rich for my blood.

I also just realized this thread is on the "real trains" forum so I shouldn't have posted this title here anyhow.

My one stop shopping for hunting for books is Bookfinder.com.  As near as I can tell it is linked to every book purchasing site I've seen - Alibris, Abebooks, Amazon, Biblio.com, An Independent Bookseller, IOBA, etc.  I've had great success using this site to find out-of-print books in just about every venue you can imagine.

CNJ 3676 posted:

A note to the original poster:

If you want the DT&I book, try The Model Railroad Shop in Piscataway, NJ at 732-968-5696. The store is one of Morning Sun's principal dealers and often still has titles which have sold at the publisher. I have met with success on a number of occasions in this manner. Even if Morning Sun has sold out, The Model Railroad still doesn't attempt to charge a premium like some others might. They mail order regularly so shipping the book to you won't be a problem for them.

Good luck,

Bob

Hi Bob - Thanks for a great tip. They have a first class web page, Yes: Books for model railroading is a big part of their business.

Late memory...

I know it's not a 'book', per se, but for a while a copy of the premier edition of Classic Toy Trains magazine, featuring Richard Kughn's portrait photo on the cover, floated at tens of dollars...depending on condition, of course...on the secondary market.  A friend commented that he sure would like to have a copy, but shied away from such prices.  (My copy had been purchased when it first came out.)

Welllll,.....   Not long after that exchange we were both at a local train show/sale.  As I wandered the aisles, glancing under the tables at the 'less' saleable (?) items folks brought to peddle, I spied a box of magazines marked 'All magazines, 50 cents each!'.   Sitting on top of the pile was....you guessed it!...THAT premier issue...in very, very good condition.  My buddy was only a couple tables further down the aisle (he was selling, somewhat occupied, of course), but he wasted no time in making the purchase.....50 cents!!! 

That's what I'm talking about.....a little patience, a huge success!! 

KD

Why is it that the RR books I always want are big $$$ and they don't go down?  Could it be my choice of RR lines (Midwestern and transcontinental?) or are just the east coast roads falling off in interest?  I never see these "cheap books" that are talked about here, anywhere!

In the farm tractor book world (which I know ALLOT about, since I write them) we've done 10K print runs and sold them thru.  The reprints are 2500 or less depending on backorders.  The ones I help create a $50 books and there are special serial number editions that are $500 (only 100 made) and they sell thru fast!!

In todays gotta have it-know-it-all-now, e-world, eBooks may be the thing of the future.

The book that started this thread, was "SOLD" and not to train-room-gary. "WOW"

Click to enlarge, screenshot.

Gary

I'd pay US$150 plus shipping to West Australia for Steel Railroads Volume one,  if anyone out there has a spare copy.

Roo.

ROO:

Try contacting The Model Railroad Shop in New Jersey as I mentioned to Gary above. I got my copy of Steel Railroads Volume 1 there after Morning Sun  sold through the press run. They may just still have it and they'd probably be willing to ship internationally. 

www.themodelrailroadshop.com

Good luck,

Bob

MARKS:  Your comment about the "Waycars of the CB&Q" reminded me I had been looking for a book on that subject, but a later one, published in 2012, similar title, "The Burlington Waycars"  vs. that one in 1978.  I did a search and came up with each, not cheap, and one in soft cover, but am following the advice above and waiting.  If you, or anybody reading this,  have  both, how do they compare?  I know from research I did on an article written pre-computer, vs. some articles others are writing with computer research, a lot more info may surface.  Or not.  Which book is best or do you need both?  They have different pairs of authors so I assume they are unrelated.  I was surprised there were two books on the subject. I would guess there are books on ATSF and UP cabooses....what other western roads?

CNJ 3676 posted:

ROO:

Try contacting The Model Railroad Shop in New Jersey as I mentioned to Gary above. I got my copy of Steel Railroads Volume 1 there after Morning Sun  sold through the press run. They may just still have it and they'd probably be willing to ship internationally. 

www.themodelrailroadshop.com

Good luck,

Bob

I send them an e-mail yesterday about the book that I am looking for, hope to get a reply on Friday.  The branch manager of my Public Library, did find a copy at a University in Missouri.         He said he has one more place to look.  I did give him the information about Morning Sun Books.  He may purchase some for the library.  He is a model railroader, HO Scale / Illinois Central Railroad.

http://www.icrrhistorical.org/

** I did purchase the "Madison Hardware Story" from Derek Thomas, Option 2 / Looking forward to delivery this fall. 

Gary 

Thanks, "645", but I restrict everything to 1940, so BN green has no place in my world.

Bob.

" try contacting The Model Railroad Shop in New Jersey"

I sent them an Email about the book thanks for your help much appreciated, even if they can't help it's a start.

Roo

Colorado  Hi Railer:  The new book on CB&Q/FW&D/C&S waycars is absolutely comprehensive and really incorporates the data in the prior, smaller softbound book.  The softbound book has a few late CB&Q era waycar photos that do not appear in the new tome, but that's it. The soft bound book represented the first pass at researching the topic and was well-done, for the time.  

The new book is 2"+ thick, has a full range of drawings, both by fans and railroad shop blue prints, interior photos and interior drawings, numerous in-service photos, and detailed truck drawings.  A must for the "Q" enthusiast. I sincerely doubt much more information will surface - - - or be required --- on Burlington waycars !!     I would be cautious about waiting for a firesale on the new book - it may just evaporate in the marketplace.    

I do own both.  

Thanks, "MARKS".  The new book, dated 2012, has been out a while, but I'd guess used ones are scarce...It doesn't sound like I "need" both of them, though.

Here's the most recent addition to my library which I picked up at the Red Caboose on 45th Street during a visit to Manhattan this past Saturday. Mr. Joe Strapac has been authoring a series on Southern Pacific diesels. I'm not an SP fan per se but, as a student of motive power, I've been purchasing titles covering some of the more unusual models. This particular volume discusses the SD45T-2.

The series is published by Shade Tree Books.

Bob

An e-mail just came across my desk. Indiana University Press is offering 40% off the list price of its railroad books through the end of July. IU releases titles which are informative and thoroughly researched. Authors who have written for IU include Herb Harwood and Bill Middleton, two of the pre-eminent historians of our time. There's a lot of good reading for a very reasonable cost here:

http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/

Click on the "Railroad Book Sale" link under the "Browse Books" section at the top left.

Happy hunting.

Bob

Roundhouses: Of Michigan's Railroads

Paperback – Published April 14, 2016 - A new RR book from Michigan

Railroad roundhouses, a thing of the past still in use today, are where locomotives are repaired, maintained and stored. The railroads' garage, so to speak. A practical and busy place where men work on these machines to keep them running. A sanctum sanctorum for the railfan interested in locomotives and what makes them tick. Explore dozens of Michigan roundhouses from 1975 to 2016 both inside and out, many no longer in use, in both color and black and white photographs taken by the author.