Book Reviews

[lateagain]

As only one person replied to this idea, and they were enthusiastic, they sugested I repost this on some other Forums.

My Original Post was on the Site Admin Forum
[quote]Just An Idea, and correct me if it already exists, how about setting up a forum, or even just database, for members reviews of books.

I'm talking of Rail related books of course. Possibly extending this to Rail related Video's and DVD's.

There are some real gems out there at reasonable prices that would be of great help to modellers, route builders and re-skin artists. There’s also a wealth of reminiscence stuff of interest to any rail fan.

Might even encourage younger fan’s to realise that we all managed to communicate before the Internet! (Not just being a GOG here.) I do find that the sheer wealth of knowledge out there today leads youngsters to overlook more traditional media.

You could even “scoreâ€

[rwaceyw]

So why is it in every other forum?!? Most forum members don't think highly of spam posters, just ask what happened to 1Train

David

[lateagain]

It's in the Forums that I refer to in the item on the Site Admin Forum under Book Review.

This if you'd bothered to read my input correctly is where I asked you to post this reply.

It's not Spam.

Read the original Thread and maybe you'll have something more constructive to say?

Geoff

[rwaceyw]

Read the original Thread and maybe you'll have something more constructive to say?

I have, and what relevence does the topic have here, and in the Route Building Forum?

David

[lateagain]

From the title of this Forum

Do you want some help or advice? Trying to find that elusive scale drawing? Seeking some photo's or engine specifications? Hang out here!
Moderator NeutronIC

Did you read that?

If you need further explanation, I'm afraid I've misubderstood your point!

[TrainSimminNick]

Its Loco Modeling, it refers to help in that feild this should be ONLY in 'General Dissusion'

[rwaceyw]

Did you read that?

If you need further explanation, I'm afraid I've misubderstood your point!

Yes I did. So how do book reviews relate to modelling? If there is a point i've forgotten, or don't know, feel free to correct me . But I can't see one.

Its Loco Modeling, it refers to help in that feild this should be ONLY in 'General Dissusion'

I agree, but no need to put it that harshly . Most peeps visit General Discussion anyway, so it would have been fine on its own

While i'm here, I think Book Reviewings a great idea, but marred byt the fact different people ahve different interests, leading to clash of interests/opinion, which, although unlikely, could lead to arguement.

David

[lateagain]

David,

Truce?

My original point in the thread on the Admin Forum (where incidentally I posted it because I thought that it ought to be a seperate Forum?) was that on looking through the book I mentioned there, I was struck by just how useful the pictures would be for anyone researching a route, some rolling stock or a specific Loco to say nothing of great shots of old station buildings signal gantries etc.

The reviews would be on Railway Books.

There's doubtless dozens of Forums discussing other types of books out there on the web.

I stressed that I have no commercial interest. I just like buying books. I'm also a huge Train Sim fan. You guess right, I've been spending quite a bit of dough recently on Rail Books to find out more about the whole aspect of railways.

My idea was that anyone else, and there must be dozens of you, judging by the uploads who is involved in trying to build anything might be able to check out the usefullness of certain books by reading other forum members reviews of them.

Unlike Amazon, where the reviews are nearly always "pro" a title these reviews could be scored as to amount/usefulness of content to model builders and activity writers.

My idea was that anyone who had a book that they thought had valuable reference could write a "review" aimed specifically at Sim fans.

Requests for pictures, plans timetables etc. could be posted here to? People who have books, but alas no time or talent for building stuff, could "contribute" to the efforts of those who can. Many of us will have scanners, most of us can attach a photo, plan or copy of a timetable to an e-mail to help out.

I specifically didn't want to clog up this forum with this stuff.

As I said I think if there's enough enthusiasm for sharing such material it deserves a forum of it's own.

I merely posted in the forums that I thought would be most responsive to the idea and asked that they respond on the Admin forum.

I respect the idea that this is not the place for the info and if you look at my last post on the Admin Forum / Book Review I think you'll see why.

Pax?

Geoff

[rwaceyw]

Ah, I get you now. Truce it is .

David

[alisterbetts]

Well, I'll do some reviews.........

[lateagain]

Thanks Guys

Guess I didn't make myself clear enough first time.

I appreciate that people who've been modelling for some time might find little of use in some of the reviews as they'll know the titles already, but newbies may find some basic reference material pointers helpful?

Obviously Matt might be a little cautious if it starts to look like we're running free ads for publishers?

I'm also aware that there are copywrite implications in copying shed loads out of a book. I'm sure that the odd old photo won't get us "banged up"? especially if enthusiastic train simmers start buying books.

I'll give it a few day's to see what feedback the idea gets and then Mail Matt to see if he yhinks the idea warrants a seperate forum?

It also occurs to me that whilst some treasured out of publication books have become collectors items, there's a wealth of new ones being published.

Forum members could post questions like this, and by the way this is a genuine question if anyone knows the answer...

"Iv'e got an old 1955 Observers book of Railway Locomotives. It's interesting as it has a picture of each class, a technical spec, number series and historical notes. Does anyone know of a recent title with the same info that covers all steam on all post grouping regions?"

Anyway perhaps this would be better transferred to the original thread?

Cheers

Geoff

[CaptainBazza]

I agree with Geoff, it's an idea with great merit. I have a passion for book collecting anyway, and most of my recent purchases (new and used) have been used as resource material for my MSTS modelling projects. It's a win-win situation for the TS community and remember "R"esearch comes before "D"evelopment.

As an example: one of my most valued general railway/road reference books is:
The Concise Encyclopaedia of World Railway Locomotives, ed. Patrick Ransome-Wallis, pub, Hutchinson, London, 1959. Everything archane about world railways, steam, diesel, electrics, lots of tech specs, tech articles, plenty of tables, photos, etc. If you can track this book down, you wont regret it for one moment.

[lateagain]

Thanks Bazza,

In case any of you guys missed it Matt has put forward (Site Admin / Book Reviews) a tentative idea about where to include these reviews on the site if the idea proves popular enough. It would be good to keep the reviews seperate from the feedback. The feedback could come through the forum or by direct e-mails and the reviews would be easily accessible like the software reviews.

Geoff

[jjules]

Hi!

I've finally found this thread. You already know my opinions, as I posted in the thread in the Site Admin forum first.

Admittedly, this forum is probably one of the least useful places to put the thread. However, as you explained...No, I've forgotton my point. Never mind...

I look forward to seeing this idea implemented soon!