An awful lot of we who build models are also closet rail enthusiasts. I dare say that there are not many of my generation who did not have a train set when they were kids. Probably more for Dad to play with than us, but we got our time at the throttle as well.

If your Dad bought you a set for some special occasion, and it was a US train set, the odds are excellent that the locomotive would have been one of the EMD F-units that are the subject of this premiere book in Specialty Press' 'Traintech' series.

These were the first really successful diesel locomotives, first produced just before WWII and, thanks to the War Production Board, the only diesels allowed to be built prior to the end of the war. They were all 'car body' designs in that they were streamlined and fully enclosed. They were also a great deal more powerful than most steam locomotives and unlike steam, one design was able to do all the different tasks of several steam engines. Anything from passengers to freight on long or short haul rail lines could be done with a single locomotive type. In fact, thanks to the continual upgrading done by EMD on these engines, they were the most popular type on any rail line up throughout their production run, which ended in the late 1950s. Even then, older locomotives were converted into cab forward types, snow blowers and a number of other functions.

The author takes us through the development and the use of these fascinating machines. Each sub-type is fully described and special attention is given to the rather unique diesel-electric locomotives of the New Haven line. Even today, there are F-unit locomotives pulling freight and taking railfans on scenic tours throughout North America.

300 color and black & white photos will carry you on your journey through the pages of this fascinating book. If you are into rail or just have an interest in the subject, then this is a book that you really must have.

Review book courtesy of , where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books.

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