I sort of started this collection when going around book fairs. Trying to focus only on electric trains - so that I have something to hunt for I started coming across books on model railways. Often the title included 'Electric' so were with railways under E.

The focussing on electric trains came about because the number of books on railways is so large I wanted an non popular speciality. Keeps the cost reasonable.

Ahern, Beale and Carter seem to be the most prolific in the 40s and 50s. Earlier Greenlys are good,especially the  'Electric Mode Railways' he wrote.

I just go for what I like and condition has to be readable. Some even have ideas that are applicable today.

Focussing on full size electric railways though was a revelation. The variety of early electrics is amazing, especially in the USA.

Hi David, its good to hear that there are still people that using/reading/collecting books.

Those that are relying totally on the internet for their information are missing out on a lot of history that was well researched and documented.

Quite true. I find the internet great for the general scheme of things, but when it comes to the details it can be lacking. However the internet is a great place to start and sometimes it does provide the information.

I have always considered the computer, internet etc. as tools. Tools that help me in my search for knowledge. I will say that I find the internet a lot more useful than a library. I know that this is possibly a heretical statement to some.

But then I remember travelling on dirty slow steam trains replaced by fast clean electric trains. I also remember assembling furniture with a hand screwdriver before battery drivers became common place. maybe I am lucky in being able to work with the old and the new. I have analogue and digital cameras, but do not miss the darkroom. The scanner certainly trumps the enlarger in my book.

Finally my motorcycle has an electric starter - I do not miss the kick starter!!

David

There was a time when you'd have been burnt at the stake for statements like that David ……………:shock::shock::shock:

I too have some railway books and, great as they are, they don't "move with the times".  They're a bit like reading one thread on here - one man's ideas.

I use both hand and electric screwdrivers, have both digital and analogue cmaeras although I seldom use the latter nowadays but I most definitely miss my darkroom.  I used to play for hours in mine and, whilst there is Photoshop, it's way too complex for my Luddite brain plus, I feel they're in charge rather than me …………….:oops::oops::oops:

Maybe I could do more if I had some interest in computers but to me, they're just a tool like a hammer.

In my motor bike days, I never had an electric starter - even my first car only had a winder to breath some life into it …………but, unlike the bike, it kept me reasonably dry ………………..:cheers

It is a while since i indulged in analogue movies - although I still have all the kit for processing! I actually have some film and chemicals. Must make the last home movie soon before it is too far out of date.


Checked and it is already on the prototype movies thread - Over the Pennines -  on the movie thread as well.

David