GE and EMD Locomotives: The Illustrated History

Of course, this book covers and pictures the important GE, EMD, Alco, etc more modern diesel locomotives. A significant amount of time is spent on the relationship between the diesel and drive mechanism. This is obviously important to understand how they work. Older manufacturers are not ignored either. There is some discussion of the considerations involving engine size and output, car length, weight, and other issues. I purchased the Kindle edition. In a number of places, the photos were on the next page and not necessarily near the text. Of course this is not an insuperable problem, hence the five stars.

Combining Brian Solomon's excellent GE and EMD reference works into one softcover title, railroad enthusiasts can have an outstanding history of both of the major remaining North American locomotive manufacturers (in fact, the world). Combining solid historical research, insight from the research, beautiful archival and current photographs, this combined volume is a must have for both the casual enthusiast and the serious railroad historian.As is the nature of the ever-changing locomotive manufacture industry, there are recent changes to the field which are not covered in this volume. These include recently developed and released Tier-4 emissions standard compliant locomotives from both manufacturers, as well as extensive recycling and rebuilding activities on the EMD side (likewise, the impact of EMD's purchase by ProgressRail/Caterpillar from General Motors is ripe for additions in future editions of this book). I hope that Solomon can revisit and update these volumes to reflect recent changes in these areas.Likewise, there is room to consider the extensive reuse and remanufacturing trend among the Class-1 railroads (especially Norfolk Southern's extensive rebuilding programs of motive power from the last 20 years, such as the SD9043 to SD70ACu and the "Dash-8.5" and DC-to-AC programs).It's written at a level that it entertaining for fans and deeply researched enough to serve as a proper educational reference. But the photography alone is well worth the price.

Typical Brian Solomon work, wonderfully researched and collated, with beautiful photographs taken by the Author as well as by others. The Author has taken great pains to ensure that the developments in Diesel Locomotive and Electric Loco technology are easily understood even by folks not in the field. If one has even a passing interest in Railroading, it will serve as a highly enjoyable book, prior knowledge of Railroading only adds to the pleasure. Not too technical, not light on the contents either; with an excellent mixture of technical and general facts, the author has provided a visual history of the Diesel and Electric Locos in NA by GE and EMD which would do well to serve as an ornament in every Railfan's book shelf

Brain Solomon does an excellent job in this updated copy of his book of not only discussing the history of locomotives in general, but also detailing the rivalry and history of GE and EMD locomotives.I found the early section discussing Electric Locomotives and how GE and Westinghouse had both begun experimenting with AC power/traction almost 100 years ago, yet it would not be until the late 90's that AC-traction really took off. This part, I found especially interesting, as it does a good job of laying a foundation for the new section of Brains book on AC-traction. (The main reason I bought the book).This is a great (condensed) read for anyone interested in the details and history of GE/EMD locomotives, without delving too deeply into the minutia of the actual components.

This book was generally informative, but too many of the photos were "artistic" with nice effects such as sunsets but locomotives with darkened profiles so that details were invisible. I would have preferred photos that displayed the details of the different locomotives. Almost a third of the text was repetitive listing of horsepower, tractive forces, and other specifications of locomotives that could better have been represented in tables that would be easy to look up, take little space, and leave more room for the history of the locomotive, manufacturer, or railroad that owned or operated the locomotive. I was a bit surprised by the typos and missing verbs here and there.

Books arrived on date specified in condition stated. Photography and copy is wonderful in both books. Brian Solomon is an excellent train historian.

In the days of the internet its less common to find books with info that you can't just find in a quick internet search. This is one of those books and is extremely thorough in the history and development of GE and EMD locos. For a railfan and gearhead like me it was a great read and has beautiful pictures as well.

Just what one would expect from Brian Solomon. My library is bursting with Mr.Solomon's works and, no doubt, will finally succumb as this prolific writer continues to enhance the subject matter he knows so well. I had the opportunity to operate many, many of the locomotives described in the book, and viewing the magnificent pictures was enough to bring back the smell of diesel fuel, creosote and warm brake shoes. Anyone interested in railroading cannot do better than Brian Solomon. On a personal note, the General Electric U28B was hard to beat...even from the cab of a Rock Island unit!

Superb value and quality publication. Originally two tiles (GE and EMD Loco's) this paperback version is excellent. If you're interested in North American Railroads this covers just about every version of the companies output. It also covers their export models. At less than the price of two paperbacks printed in BW on recycled paper you get 352 pages of superb photographs printed on good quality gloss paper. Brian Solomon's text is as always interesting and informative and each picture has very detailed captions explaining why it's included and what you're looking at.It may be for Hard Core Rail Fans principally but it's history of the development of each companies product may have wider appeal?For Rail fans this has some of the best coverage of North American Electric Locomotion I've seen.

Perfect Item - As Usual With - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!! A+++++

A great book for anyone interested in the American Railroad System. It covers the range of Electric and Diesel Electric Locomotives, through the ages, accompanied by some excellent black and white, and colour photographs. Highly recommended.

Exelent

Excellent publication. Does as it claims ans tells the whole history of GE & EMD locos.