Re: PC: Bi-Annual Vol. 1?

["Gerhard A. Stuebben" <stuebben@xxxxxxxxx>]

Evan and other readers,

This sounds like the "Penn Central System Bi-Annual" that was published
by Robert H. Reid / PC Railroader magazine around 1974.  Mr. Reid had
(as the book title implies) anticipated publishing an update every two
years.  As noted in the foreward by Bert Pennypacker:

"It is our sincere hope that the Penn Central's unfortunate bankruptcy
will not cause this work to become the one-and-only PC Bi-Annual, but in
any event, we have further departed from other motive power annual
practice by offering this one in a more permanent hard cover form."

Unfortunately, Conrail came into existence around the same time the
second edition would have been published.  To the best of my knowledge,
no update was ever done -- hence, no "Volume 2."  

The book is bound in PC Green cloth with a pair of freshly painted
U-boats (6556 and 6555) on the point of a train near Horseshoe Curve.
The same photo is printed on both the dust jacket and the cover. I
haven't seen one of these for sale in over 10 years, so you were lucky
to get it!

Although the roster photos were all from black & white negatives, it was
Mr. Reid's intent to include color action.  This was prevented by high
printing costs. Too bad, since on page 89, there is an action photo of
E-44 #4440 in the "Orange P / White C" scheme. For an example of what
might have been, the second photo inside the book is in color --
complete with orange PRR caboose, and end of a brown CNJ box car. To
make matters even worse, the color slides that were printed in b&w did
not reproduce well.   

By the way -- for others who have the book -- any idea what kind of car
PC 375402 (pictured on page 75) is?  Looks like a wagon top double door
box car that was converted (by cutting holes in the side) to shipping
live animals -- pigs? 

Gary Stuebben




Evan F. Ferrari - 4352050 wrote:
> 
> I got this book from a friend of my fathers who bought it ages ago while
> on vacation back east (I live in Los Angeles).  I am at school right now
> so I don't have the book with me but hopefully my Dad will get back from
> working on the railroad and tell me exactly when it was published etc.
> It is a green hardcover book with a color picture of a PC U33-C on the
> cover... ring any bells?  It is just like PC Power except it is all black
> and white photos.  The title is "PC Bi-annual Vol 2" and I am 99% positive
> that is the title.  It's a great book, I recommend everyone get a copy if
> possible.  Again, I don't have the book with me, but I know both my father
> and I have been wondering about a Vol 1 for years.
> Thanks to Christian for the support.
> I will get back to you guys on this.  I could be wrong, but I don't think
> so on this one.  For a change.
> 
> Thanks,
> Evan