New Books Archives - Southern Pacific Railroad History Center

Snowplow Clearing Mountain Rails by Gerald M. Best W26

Chip Savoye — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:42:27 +0000

Fascinating history of the efforts of North American railroads to fight snow and avalanches. Covers not only the development of plows but also snow sheds. Starting with the notes and photos of David Joslyn, the author undertook independent research that discusses the operation, drawbacks and advantages of the Bucker, Rotary and Jull snowplows. With schematic diagrams, builder designs, and technical data as well as rosters and maps. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos and vintage drawings. 119 pages with index.

Hardcover some tears in cover jacket

W26

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Train Country An Illustrated Histort of Canadian National Railways W15A

Chip Savoye — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:04:30 +0000

By Donald Mackey and Lorne Perry

This giant book illustrates the history of the Canadian National Railway (“World’s Greatest Travel System”) created after World War I with a combination of resources from five financially troubled railroads. Canadian National played a central role in the population growth of the more remote northern areas of Canada, moved passengers between major cities in style, and was instrumental in the movement of goods both to market and to the country’s smaller towns. The story is told by engineers, porters, signalmen and others in this 192-page softcover volume. A truly beautiful book! Large format, 9½ x 11″, 181 black/white photographs.

W15 A

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Snowbound Streamliner Rescuing the 1952 City of San Francisco RL Church W1

Chip Savoye — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:34:18 +0000

This is a railroaders’ story. It is an accurate and detailed account developed from numerous interviews and reports from railroad personnel that describes an incident which now stands alone in the annals of railroad history.

During the first days of 1952, the Southern Pacific Railroad found itself battling a series of fierce winter snow storms that threatened all train operations. Eventually even the huge rotary snowplows could not keep ahead of the record snowfall. The railroad’s famed Sierra crossing at Donner Pass became blockaded and train movements were brought to a standstill.

On January 13 one of the lines was cleared and it was decided to run a few priority trains across the summit. One of these trains was the flagship of the Overland Route, the streamliner City of San Francisco.

As the engineer approached Yuba Pass, he hit an avalanche that had just occurred off the sheer granite escarpments of Smart Ridge.

This story includes the massive and heroic efforts to get to the snowbound train. It’s the story of crew that were actually manning the rotaries and of the officials directing the rescue. It provides an hour-by-hour detailed chronology of events and actions attempted from both Norden and Colfax. Also related are the experiences of those on the train.

The account covers a 17-day period, starting a few days prior to the stranding of the streamliner and the rescue efforts which disabled five rotary plows, one being swamped by an avalanche that killed an engineer. The narrative continues with the removal of the passengers, then the train itself, and finally all that was required to get both rail and communication lines back into service. It is a fascinating story of a Sierra winter at its worst and dedicated railroaders at their very best.

Excellent condition

W-1

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Gulf, Mobile & Ohio: Illustrated Historical Reference W-41

Chip Savoye — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:39:04 +0000

by David M Johnston. Color Laminated Hardcover, 8.5×11″, 192 glossy pages, 200 photos. 2019. “White River’s new GM&O book is three books in one. First, it’s a history book that covers the development of the postwar railroad through the mergers of Gulf, Mobile & Northern, Mobile & Ohio, and The Alton Railroad. Second, it’s a handy reference book, with maps and equipment rosters and descriptions of passenger and freight operations. And third, it’s a fine, entertaining trip over GM&O that you can sit back and savor, with pages of beautiful photographs and detailed descriptions.”

W-41

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When Southern Pacific Ruled Oregon’s Rails V-3 Portland to Dunsmuir

Chip Savoye — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 22:43:42 +0000

Printed in the U.S.A., there are 256 hard-bound pages of quality Southern Pacific photos from the ‘50s to 1996, guaranteed to bring back memories of the way it was. 99% color, the previously unpublished works of David Houston, Greg Brown and Todd Montgomery are proudly presented in large format, just as they were photographed. We cover Portland to Dunsmuir, branchlines, the Siskiyou, the Modoc and a chapter on the OC&E.

This is the first book produced by David Houston and Daylight Printing

Price is 79.95

Don’t miss out!

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Southern Pacific Los Angeles to Bakersfield from the 30’s to the 90’s by David Houston (DH)

Chip Savoye — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 22:38:51 +0000

The Story Behind the Picture, Volume 2 Edited and Expanded Second Printing by David Houston Our second photo journalism series captures the Tehachapis during the big steam and early diesel era. Over 52 of the all-time great railroad photographers are featured. Printed in the USA, this 192-page hard-bound book follows years of research. A BONUS SECTION features the never before published work of the author in black and white and color. Over 400 photos await as you thrill to color and black and white images of the epic battle fought by man and machine vs gravity. The Owenyo, Keeler and McKittrick Branches are covered as well.

This is a new book published by Daylight Printing at $79.95

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Southern Pacific 1960’s-1990’s Sacramento to Sparks V-1 Revised Edition (DH)

Chip Savoye — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 22:32:00 +0000

Printed in the U.S.A., this is an extensively edited second printing of the first book in the Story Behind The Picture series. Featured are 144 hard-bound pages of quality Southern Pacific and Amtrak photos from the ‘60s to the ‘90s, guaranteed to bring back memories of the way it was. 99% color, the previously unpublished works of David Houston are proudly presented in large format, justas they were photographed. Enjoy seeing Sacramento, Roseville and the mightySierras as they were. Beautiful snow photos plus rotaries, flangers and spreaders in action.

This is a new book from Daylight Printing priced at $69.95.

All Sales on this book are final.

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Sisters of the Iron Road by Shirley Burman (W 27)

Gene Harmon — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 21:56:17 +0000

Long anticipated and many years in the making, “Sisters of the Iron Road” is the first book that completely examines the women who have kept America’s railroads rolling for more than a century. There are personal stories and striking photography spanning more than a half century.

Author Shirley Burman has drawn upon more than four decades of studying and photographing women railroaders to present their unique story. She begins with women’s contributions to the early development of railroads, continuing through two world wars that gave women their first significant opportunities to handle traditional “man’s jobs” . . . and their slow but steady fight for equality in a challenging, dirty, but rewarding railroad environment.

Burman has uncovered fascinating stories of women who overcame the odds and endured overwhelming hardship, including sexism, but ultimately proved their resilience, strength and ingenuity. Burman never loses sight of their pride, their dignity, and above all, their colorful personalities. Her photographer’s eye has helped her assemble a rich collection of historic rail women portraits made both trackside and aboard trains, complete with her own dynamic pictures.

From engineers, brakemen, and conductors to clerks, machinists, and laborers from bridge tender operators and yard masters to administrative assistants and management, Shirley Burman tells their inspiring stories in this beautiful 289 page hardcover book.

New Book

Locator box 27

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A Legacy in Brick and Iron by Mary Helmich with Kevin Bunker (W 29)

Gene Harmon — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 21:49:23 +0000

Mary Helmich and Kevin Bunker have created a masterpiece. The Central Pacific and later Southern Pacific Sacramento Shops served for 125 years. The shops were a fully integrated industrial complex capable of designing and manufacturing virtually all the equipment needed to run a railroad. Surrounding the shops was a complete industrial community that housed and provided shops necessary for daily life.

This 335-page, softbound book, has been meticulously researched. It documents every aspect of the Sacramento Shops. With text, photos, drawings, maps, rosters, endnotes, an appendix, and a comprehensive index, the authors weave a commanding history of this vast and important part of the Southern Pacific. It is both fascinating and comprehensive.

The book is new.

Locator box 29

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