Dennis Moore: new series of Natal Steam books

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John Ashworth
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Dennis Moore: new series of Natal Steam books

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Dennis Moore wrote:RE-MAILING OF E-MAIL SENT 26 March 2015 :
The first e mail from me for the year and there is a lot of information to impart.
I have received many enquiries in recent months as to “when is the Natal book going to be ready?”.
Well, it has taken a lot longer to reach production than I’d hoped, but here it is, or rather here they are, for there are four titles. The main very large landscape format book (“Natal Steam Renaissance” ) and three standard landscape format books, which are all derived from the first. Please read the following details to understand ‘what’s what’. Pictures of the covers of all four books are attached to this e mail.

NATAL STEAM RENAISSANCE www.blurb.com/b/6087023
A massive 330 page book in a very large landscape format (33cm x 28cm) . As always, the photographic coverage is augmented by schematic maps, caption information, some historical and technical information, and lively anecdotes that set the scene.
By way of an introduction, the coverage commences with the last days of S.A.R. real steam (3’6” gauge) in Natal during 1982 (Pietermaritzburg and Glencoe) , and then covers several non colliery industrial operations to be found in the province. A brief account of some steam hauled excursion traffic along the South Coast follows. The majority of the book is taken up with the amazing revival of specialised and authentic steam hauled charter trains that were operated from 1998 to 2007, but seen by so few. Starting with the return to steam (19AR) on the Estcourt - Bergville branch in 1998, 19D worked mixed trains on the ‘old main line’from Pinetown to Cato Ridge, and even a 25NC blasting along Van Reenen’s Pass with a full passenger consist. The main part of the book is centred on Pietermaritzburg and Creighton. Garratt country and how! The GF and GMA/M dominate the action,and rightly so …. just as they did in the last years of S.A.R. steam ending in the mid-1970s. (That said, no less than twelve different classes are depicted at work in this book as a whole) . There is coverage of steam’s return to Mason’s Mill shed in Pietermaritzburg and thorough portrayal of the following lines : Pietermaritzburg – Albert Falls – Dalton; Pietermaritzburg – Thornville – Richmond; Pietermaritzburg – Deepdale – Donnybrook – Creighton – Riverside, as well as look at the Underburg, Kokstad and Matatiele branch lines. Freight / mixed trains abound and passenger consists feature occasionally. (Please note that there are no ‘public’ trains depicted, the emphasis here is on authentic consists, authentic motive power, provided by highly specialised charter operations designed specifically for maximising photographic potential). Pietermaritzburg was the Garratt capital of the World, and this book illustrates a renaissance of those glory days.
Produced in a huge very large landscape format 33 x 28cm, to satisfy the requests of some of the Author’s regular customers who demand this format, but it is unavoidably expensive …. But, then again, it’s an awful lot of book!
Priced around $195, only available in hardcover (dustjacket) or hardcover (image wrap).
NATAL STEAM REVISITED www.blurb.com/b/6088308
A substantial 240 page book in its own right and completely ‘stand alone’, it is fully extracted from “Natal Steam Renaissance” featuring all the highlights from that book, and produced in a more affordable standard landscape format 25 x 20 cm, at about ½ the price of ‘the big one’. ALL the subject matter mentioned above, is included. This version should more than satisfy many readers. (That said, several people have commented that the extended very large landscape format books are just ‘really special’ : the choice is yours.)
Priced from $86, depending on cover type chosen by purchaser.
STEAM FROM PIETERMARITZBURG www.blurb.com/b/6085842
A 126 page standard landscape format book (subtitled ‘The fall and rise of steam traction from Natal’s capital city’), designed to provide for more parochial tastes. It covers the last days of steam in 1982, the return to steam at Mason’s Mill shed; the main part encompassing all the ‘steam renaissance’ content of steam working from Pietermaritzburg, that is the lines from Pietermaritzburg – Albert Falls – Dalton; Pietermaritzburg – Thornville – Richmond; and the rarely photographed Pietermaritzburg – Deepdale section of the optimistically named ‘Cape Natal’ line. Garratt country and definitely one for GF and GMA/M fans, but 3BR, 14R and 15CA 4-8-2s also get a look in.
Priced from $54, depending on cover type chosen by purchaser.
STEAMING AROUND CREIGHTON www.blurb.com/b/6085446
A 138 page standard landscape format book (subtitled ‘A steam revival in rural Natal’), this depicts the amazing resurgence of occasional steam working from Creighton, surely one of the few places in the world that saw a new steam shed built in the early years of the 21st century. The sections of lines covered include Deepdale – Donnybrook, Donnybrook – Creighton and the realatively short but quite astounding Creighton – Riverside.
A glimpse of the Underburg and Kokstad branches is included , as well as somewhat more widespread coverage of the Matatiele branch. Still very much GF and GMA/M country (as it ever was!), but 19D 4-8-2s also feature.
Priced from $57, depending on cover type chosen by purchaser.
ZIMBABWE please see www.blurb.com/b/5912715 for more information
Just a quick mention that a revised version of this well received very large format book (“A ZIMBABWE JOURNEY”) has been issued. Just expanded by a few pages, allowing larger reproduction of a few pictures, and a striking monochrome cover.

So, to sum up re the Natal books , please visit (and these links are active now):
www.blurb.com/b/6087023 for the direct link to Natal Steam Renaissance (very large landscape format)
www.blurb.com/b/6088308 for the direct link to Natal Steam Revisited (standard landscape format)
www.blurb.com/b/6085842 for the direct link to Steam from Pietermaritzburg (standard landscape format)
www.blurb.com/b/6085446 for the direct link to Steaming around Creighton (standard landscape format)
And please, do visit www.blurb.com/user/store/red3450 for all of the Author’s thirty five titles.
**** As always, full and free previews of (every page of) every title are available from these links. Just follow the function. Don’t forget to enlarge to ,, full screen ,,
FOOTNOTES / GENERAL INFORMATION ( Please read these if you are not familiar with them, as it will answer many of the questions that people have. If it doesn't, please ask me ! )
(A) DISCOUNTS
First and foremost, may I please draw your attention to pricing. As many of you may be aware, print on demand books are unavoidably a little on the expensive side, but one does not necessarily have to pay the catalogue price. If you are buying a book / books, simply google Blurb Coupon Code , and you will find many sources of discounts available, which code you simply enter towards the end of the checkout process. These coupon codes are common practice in internet mail order and can be a little tricky and irritating, but it is worth persevering. Discounts of up to 25% and even 30% are often available, especially (but not solely) for first time buyers.
(B) DELIVERY COSTS
Delivery costs are inevitably relatively expensive for single copy orders, so prospective customers are urged to please consider buying all titles you may be interested in (from the catalogue of 30 books) in "one go". Or, get together with like minded friends to combine an order. ……………The delivery cost per book then comes down dramatically.
(C) IRRITATING?
As always, it is not my intention to annoy anyone. If you no longer wish to receive these very occasional e mails, please e mail me with the word , and it shall be done.
And finally, for South African residents only, please be advised that a couple of rather special (brand new) copies of “A Zimbabwe Journey” are available. These have the original colour cover and have been produced using ProLine Pearl Photo Paper, which weighs 190 gr./ sq. m, as opposed to 118 gr for standard paper. The best part is that this is available for an amazing Rand 500 *, one third of the price normally attributable to this sized (large landscape format)book produced on this special paper. (* Price if collected from me (West Rand) , add R100 for courier delivery within S.A.)

With best wishes and I hope you find something of interest here. Please e mail me if you have any queries, or phone me. PLEASE forward this e mail to anyone you think may be interested, and if they wish to be placed on my mailing list, they only have to let me know.
REGARDS
Dennis
Dennis Moore, PO Box 2268, Wilro Park, South Africa Telephone +27 44 11 764 5425 ( Within South Africa 011 764 5425 )
www.blurb.com/user/store/red3450
<moore3450@mweb.co.za>
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