This page contains books I would recommend to any diesel-lover. They belong on your bookshelf! Let me know if you need some help in locating a particular book.
1.PA: Alco's Glamour Girl
By Andy Romano
Four Ways West Publications
This is a great book! The best looking diesel cab unit of all time is well represented here. The book is all color, with 128 pages. Complete rosters and dispositions are provided. I can't stay enough about this book. The text is well written, and Mr. Romano obviously adores the PA. This affection comes out in the text.
2.Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years
Louis A. Marre
Kalmbach Books
This fine book covers diesels built before 1972. It gives basic technical info and number of models constructed. A handy reference book. 479 pages.
3.The Contemporary Diesel Spotters Guide
Louis A. Marre
Kalmbach Books
A companion to the book above, this volume covers diesels built after 1972. 351 pages.
4.Covered Wagon Mystique
Todd Humphrey John Humphrey Gardiner Cross
A great picture book of cab units! E and F units are heavily focused on. 96 pages.
5.Diesels to Park Avenue: The FL9 Story
Joseph R. Snopwk Robert A. LaMay
New England Rails Publishing
This 116 page, all color book, tells the fascinating story of the FL9. These units were some of the first dual-mode locomotives ever built. They could be powered from their own prime movers, or from electricity from a third rail. The information is comprehensive and the pictures are great.
6.The Revolutionary Diesel: EMC's FT
Diesel Era
This 130 page book has complete rosters and dispositions for the FT, the revolutionary locomotive introduced by EMC in 1939.
7.C-Liners: FM's Consolidation Line of Locomotives
David R. Sweetland
Diesel Era
This is a superb book! It has great photos and info on all the companies that owned C-Liners. There is a color photo section in the back of the book. 80 pages.
8.Trainmaster: The Most Useful Locomotive Ever Built
David R. Sweetland
Diesel Era
Another great book on a very cool locomotive! A breakdown of every company that ever operated this locomotive model is provided, as well as complete rosters and dispositions. There is a color photo section in the back of the book. 112 pages.
9.Vintage Diesel Locomotives
Mike Schafer
Motorbooks
This is a good, general book about first-generation diesels. Low price, too! 96 pages.
10.Modern Diesel Locomotives
Hans Halberstadt
Motorbooks
A companion to the above book about modern diesels. Low price. 96 pages.
11.North American Locomotives
Brian Hollingsworth
Smithmark
This book has good info on diesels and steamers. Good reference book. 208 pages.
12.Rails Across America
Editor: William L. Withuhn
Smithmark
A very good book on railroads in general. The Years of Revolution chapter has a superb discussion of the steam-to-diesel transition after World War II and why it occurred. 192 pages.
13. Alco Official Color Photography
Walter A. Appel
Morning Sun Books
A superb book with loads of color photos of Alco diesels. A large variety of diesels are covered, from little switchers to huge Century models. The photos of the Santa Fe PAs make the book worth the $50 price! 128 pictures
14. How Diesel-Electric Locomotives Operate: The Last 25 years, Including ACs
Peat Mansfield, OH
The title explains it all. This book is VERY technical. A fascinating book. Ordering info at the PEAT website.