Guide to Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating reading
Review: As a little girl I rode the Strasburg railroad in Pennsylvania. When I saw this book at the store, it brought back happy memories, so I decided to buy the book. I found the information to be very interesting. I was amazed that there were so many other railroads in my state. The information was very well written. This book offers a great insight into a fascinating subject.

Rating:
Summary: A useful, compact volume on a railroad-rich state
Review: Knowing that Pennsylvania is rich in railroad heritage, I snapped up this volume as soon as I saw it. At the time of purchase, I was glad to see that it was current, with the reasonable idea that it would be up-to-date. The one disappointing thing with this book has been the inaccuracy of the Internet Worldwide Web home page addresses given for many of the railroads documented, if a given railroad happened to have a home page. Today's connected world depends tremendously on accurate, up-to-date information in specialized interest areas, and as far as I am concerned, there is nothing more frustrating than to find a given home page address not available or outdated. If this book receives a revision, I would strongly advise the author to remove all of the web page addresses, state whether or not at time of writing there was a home page available, and admonish the reader to use his favorite Worldwide Web search engine to locate the home page of the desired railroad. Also, it would be good if he were to state whether or not there are "unofficial" web pages in addition to the "official," because these "unofficial" pages are usually photo collections to document one railfan's photojournalistic attempts on this "favorite railroad" of his.

Otherwise, this volume is well laid out, first providing an introduction to railroads in Pennsylvania in general, railroad terminology, and a brief history of the railroad in America. The book, as well as the state is divided into four geographic regions with the railroads in the appropriate region documented within that section. I found this type of layout useful for spare-time side trip planning if I was going to be in Pennsylvania for reasons other than railfanning.

Rating:
Summary: From a forest train ride to rails through Amish country
Review: This updated second edition of Bill Simpson's Guide To Pennsylvania's Tourist Railroads examines flourishing rail lines in Pennsylvania, including the latest operation schedules and fares and providing accompanying listings of travel options and excursions to nearby destinations. From a forest train ride to rails through Amish country, this divided Pennsylvania into four geographical regions for maximum effect, and includes suggestions for stopoffs and tourist visits to local rail museums. Rail buffs planning a trip to the state won't want to miss this.