For several years now, the Society has talked about doing books on ACL and SAL rolling stock. The format would be B&W pictures, the diagram, and general information, geared to the modeller. We have debated a regular bound book versus loose leaf sheets. I'd like to hear from the membership as to what type of book (bound vs. loose leaf) is preferred, and how much you are willing to pay (bound vs. loose leaf).

-- Paul Faulk (faulkl@basf-corp.com), May 10, 1999

Answers

I'll go with the loose leaf but will buy whatever version is made. Any dates yet on when we're going to do it?

-- Merrill D. Crissey, Sr. (mdcrissey@juno.com), July 31, 1999.

Loose-leaf is clearly the way to go......you have som much more flexability.

I envision a notebook style reference with each page depicting a single class or series of rolling stock. Each sheet whould include series #, photographs, and other data, including possibly a line drawing from the data book. We could print it on 80-100 lb glossy paper....

With the Loose-Leaf format additions could me made on a regular basis and if an erronous sheet were to find its way into the book, it could be corrected and replaced. In addition, we could issue a few sheets from ACL, SAL, SCL, and affiliates in each package, so there would always be a little something for everyone in each group of sheets.

We could also do a custom silk-screened notebook to sell sep., to store these most valuable reference sheets....

Cost: this won't be cheap...with each package costing around $1 per card/sheet. Good reference material never is......

Ted

-- Ted Strickland (Tstrickland@pol.net), May 13, 1999.

I would prefer a loose leaf type. Makes it easy to add pages as new information becomes available. The NEB&W series of loose leaf books and updates that John Nehrich at RPI does are nice. I would be willing to pay more for better quality pictures than John was able to get in his books.

-- Craig Strickland (ccstrick@esn.net), May 13, 1999.

Why not wire spiral bound, so that an opened book will lay flat?

-- Jack wyatt (cjwyatt@wavegate.com), May 12, 1999.

I think that Pauls ACL rolling stock book from Morning Sun should be out later this year. What he is talking about leans more toward a handy workbench book that you can use to build or decal by. Do you want a loose leaf book that you can take the sheets with you OR a bound book? BTW Glad to see that Steve Manuel is still with us.

-- Joseph Oates (jlosal@gte.net), May 12, 1999.

We need a good ACL rolling stock book yesterday! Over the years there seems to be SAL books rolling out at a rate of 10 to 1 over ACL...This has held some companies back from producing more ACL models...At least that is what I am told...Would may a little more for a ACL book...Badly needed... Thanks

-- Steve Manuel (wwjb@innet.com), May 10, 1999.

I would like an ACL book simular to your Seaboard Air Line Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment. Would pay the same price. If only B&W would still like a regular bound book @ $25-30. I would still prefer the first but would get both. Jim

-- Jim Capers (capers@granis.net), May 10, 1999.