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TRUCK PHOTO BOOKS TRAIN PHOTO BOOKS MODELING BOOKS
FICTION BOOKS written by David A. Bontrager TRAINS
Dave is now retired and living in Elnora, Indiana
During the years that Dave lived in Colorado he was a prolific train photographer. He loved the Burlington Northern and Rio Grande, but also photographed the Union Pacific and Santa Fe.
Train Modeling Books
Along with building scale models of trucks, Dave was also a prolific 1:87 scale railroad modeler. His specialty was building accurate models of locomotives. His detail work was immaculate and he wrote many magazine articles on the art of accurately detailing locomotives and intermodal equipment. He is also well known for his freelance "Colorado & Western Railroad Co."
PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL BOOKS ARE IN STOCK AT ALL TIMES
WHEN A BOOK IS NOT IN STOCK AT THE TIME OF ORDERING, IT MAY TAKE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 7-10 DAYS FOR YOUR OUT OF STOCK BOOK TO SHIP.
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Click on photo for enlargement
Book 021
Rio Grande Cabooses
Photographer, Author, and Editor: David A. Bontrager
Publisher: DABble Publishing & Imaging
As with all of my books, this book is printed and bond by a professional printer
Softcover
- I always liked the caboose, especially those grimy ones on the Rio Grande. This book is a tribute to those beauties. Both the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad and the caboose are now gone, so journey with me back in history in photo documentation of a bygone era in railroading. The book is mostly color with some black and white images.
- The 106-page book has 103 photos plus a photo on the rear cover.
- This is a great coffee table book.
- No part of this book, in whole or in part, or the photos contained herein, in whole or in part, may be reproduced, transmitted, scanned or distributed by any manual, mechanical or electronic means or devices without express written permission from the author and publisher.
- Neither the book nor the contents are public shareware. Copyright laws apply.
- Custom enlargements and posters of photos in the book are available directly from the publisher. All custom enlargements and posters are professionally printed. Not all photos may be available as individual prints, but most are. Contact the author for details.
Book 022
Rio Grande Colorado Action
Photographer, Author, and Editor: David A. Bontrager
Publisher: DABble Publishing & Imaging
As with all of my books, this book is printed and bound by a professional printer
Hardcover with dust jacket
Softcover
- The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad was one of my favorite railroads. It was a unique railroad in several ways; small but efficient and the only railroad to go directly through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. As their slogan states: “Main Line Thru The Rockies.” Another unique aspect of the D&RGW was the use of GP40 locomotives. The EMD GP40 wasn’t considered a mountain locomotive, but the Rio Grande used many and proved they could work efficiently in heavy mountain operation. The Rio Grande also had many EMD six-motor locomotives, the SD45, SD40T-2, and SD50 units. The six-axle units were used primarily for coal trains, although they could also be found on other heavy trains. While I liked watching the Rio Grande in operation anywhere in its operating system, my favorite spots were Tennessee Pass, the Colorado Joint Line, and the summit of the Joint Line at Palmer Lake. Those are the areas of concentration in this book, along with other locations. This book is the twilight years on the Rio Grande just before merging with the Southern Pacific, which was the beginning of the end of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. Journey with me as I show the D&RGW RR in action; whether grinding their way up Tennessee Pass, or battling the 50-mile long uphill challenge between Denver and Palmer Lake, photographing the Rio Grande in action was always exciting.
- The 138-page book has 135 photos plus a photo on the rear cover.
- Most photos are color, and also some black and white photos are included.
- This is a great coffee table book.
About The Author
- During the years that Dave lived in Colorado he was a prolific railroad photographer, concentrating on the Rio Grande and Burlington Northern. He also photographed the Union Pacific and Santa Fe. He is now retired and lives in Elnora, Indiana.
Legalities
- No part of this book, in whole or in part, or the photos contained herein, in whole or in part, may be reproduced, transmitted, scanned or distributed by any manual, mechanical or electronic means or devices without express written permission from the author and publisher.
- Neither the book nor the contents are public shareware. Copyright laws apply.
Photo Enlargements and Posters
- Custom enlargements and posters of photos in the book are available directly from the publisher. All custom enlargements and posters are professionally printed. Not all photos may be available as individual prints, but most are. Contact the author for details.
SOFTCOVER
$42.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping WITH insurance
HARDCOVER
$62.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping WITH insurance
SOFTCOVER
$49.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping WITH insurance
Click on photo for enlargement
Click on photo for enlargement
Book 023
Burlington Northern
Palmer Lake & The Colorado Joint Line
Photographer, Author, and Editor: David A. Bontrager
Publisher: DABble Publishing & Imaging
Hardcover with dust jacket available or soft cover
- The circa of the photos is the late-1980s to mid-1990s, which was still primarily the green and black years on the BN, although LMX and Oakway units, and SD60Ms were in operation. The Joint Line was jointly owned by the Rio Grande and Santa Fe railroads, but the BN operated more trains over this line than both of the owning railroads combined. The BN trains were operated by the Santa Fe. Palmer Lake is the summit of the Joint Line, and also the end of double track from Denver. At over 7,200 ft. elevation, Palmer Lake is 2,000 ft. higher than Denver, so it's a grueling 50 mile long climb for southbounds, making this a helper district. This book can only show photos, but the real excitement was being on the summit as five head-end units approached in Run 8 at 10 mph! The ground would vibrate, and the noise was awesome. Sit back and enjoy the show as the author shows BN trains in action over one of his favorite railfan locations, Palmer Lake and the Colorado Joint Line.
- The 160-page book has 157 photos plus a photo on the rear cover.
- Most photos are color, and also some black and white photos are included.
- This is a great coffee table book.
- No part of this book, in whole or in part, or the photos contained herein, in whole or in part, may be reproduced, transmitted, scanned or distributed by any manual, mechanical or electronic means or devices without express written permission from the author and publisher.
- Neither the book nor the contents are public shareware. Copyright laws apply.
- Custom enlargements and posters of photos in the book are available directly from the publisher. All custom enlargements and posters are professionally printed. Not all photos may be available as individual prints, but most are. Contact the author for details.
Book 024
Burlington Northern Cabooses
Photographer, Author, and Editor: David A. Bontrager
Publisher: DABble Publishing & Imaging
Softcover
- This book is dedicated to the love of the caboose. All but two of the photos are BN wide vision cabooses, including wide vision ex-Burlington Route, ex-Northern Pacific, and ex-FW&D. Most of the photos are neat action shots.
- The 80-page book has 77 photos.
- Most photos are color, and also some black and white photos are included.
- This is a great coffee table book.
- No part of this book, in whole or in part, or the photos contained herein, in whole or in part, may be reproduced, transmitted, scanned or distributed by any manual, mechanical or electronic means or devices without express written permission from the author and publisher.
- Neither the book nor the contents are public shareware. Copyright laws apply.
- Custom enlargements and posters of photos in the book are available directly from the publisher. All custom enlargements and posters are professionally printed. Not all photos may be available as individual prints, but most are. Contact the author for details.
HARDCOVER
$62.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping WITH insurance
SOFTCOVER
$49.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping WITH insurance
SOFTCOVER
$37.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping with insurance
Click on photo for enlargement
Book 025
Burlington Northern
Coal Country & Other Action
Photographer, Author, and Editor: David A. Bontrager
Publisher: DABble Publishing & Imaging
Hardcover with dust jacket available or softcover
- The circa of the photos is the late-1980s to mid-1990s, which was still primarily the green and black years on the BN, although Oakway units, SD60Ms, and SD70MACs in executive paint scheme are included. Most of the book features coal trains in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming, or coal trains in Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico, either coming from or returning to the Powder River Basin. The remaining photos are miscellaneous action photos taken in Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, and Montana. Numerous photos of SD40-2s with fuel tender are shown. Coal trains and the Powder River Basin are addictive, lots of motive power dragging a train at a crawl in Run 8; it just doesn’t get any better! I found myself driving hundreds of miles just to chase coal trains.
- The 160-page book has 157 photos plus a photo on the rear cover.
- Most photos are color, and also some black and white photos are included.
- This is a great coffee table book.
- No part of this book, in whole or in part, or the photos contained herein, in whole or in part, may be reproduced, transmitted, scanned or distributed by any manual, mechanical or electronic means or devices without express written permission from the author and publisher.
- Neither the book nor the contents are public shareware. Copyright laws apply.
- Custom enlargements and posters of photos in the book are available directly from the publisher. All custom enlargements and posters are professionally printed. Not all photos may be available as individual prints, but most are. Contact the author for details.
HARDCOVER
$62.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping with insurance
SOFTCOVER
$42.00 + $8.70 USA Priority Mail Shipping with insurance
