New book releases and other information from Dennis Moore
Good Day, Ladies & Gentlemen,
I hope this finds you well. It is about a year since my previous mailing on my series of railway books, and (as sometimes happens when waiting for a bus); after this long time, along come four at once J
But first, an appeal if you will kindly indulge me. Due to people changing e mail addresses [ a common occurrence these days ] and - sadly - not a few bereavements, my mailing list has shriveled to just a hundred or so names, so it would really be appreciated if you would 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. Alternatively , let me know of the relevant e mail addresses - as long as the person concerned permits this, of course.
FOUR NEW BOOKS TO ANNOUNCE THIS TIME :
[a] Steam Byways : Through the Reverses to Barkly East (I'm especially pleased with this one)
Steam Byways : The Maclear Branch Line
[c] Steam Byways : From Burgersdorp to Rosmead
[d] Cape Eastern Steam [available in two versions]
[a] STEAM BYWAYS : THROUGH THE REVERSES TO BARKLY EAST
138 PAGES
Standard landscape format 10" x 8" , 25cm x 20 cm : hardcover with dustjacket,or image wrap, or softcover - your choice
This book is a photographic tribute to steam operation on what was truly a remarkable branch line railway, that from Aliwal North (or, more specifically, the section forward from Lady Grey) to Barkly East, taking in no less than eight 'Reverses' during the course of some epic mountain climbing. Beyond the rather 'tame' section from Aliwal North to Lady Grey (64 kms) the ensuing 93 kms to the terminus offered many excellent photographic opportunities. With regular steam services having finished well before the Author ever visited South Africa, it is indeed fortunate that it was possible for him to participate in no less than twelve days of specialised chartered steam hauled trains operating on this line. With one exception, all the workings replicate the mixed train services that were commonplace during the steam era. Four different classes of steam locomotives are featured at work in this remarkable book, including a GB Garratt and the 19Ds that were iconic motive power on this line. The 138 pages of this book, incorporating no less than 168 fine photographs, present the ultimate photographic homage to one of the Great Railways of South Africa. Historic details of this remarkable line are provided throughout the appropriate sections of the book, together with anecdotal comments and the expected caption details, quite extended in many instances. The book serves as a memorable souvenir for those who ever took a trip through the reverses to Barkly East and an adequate substitute for those who did not.
Standard landscape format 10" x 8" , 25cm x 20 cm : hardcover with dustjacket,or image wrap, or softcover - your choice
This book is a photographic tribute to a scenic branch line railway, that from Sterkstroom to Maclear in the Eastern Cape system of South African Railways. That said, the term 'branch line' is, perhaps, somewhat misleading. This was a railway fully 278 kms long which, in the latter years of steam operation, could see fourteen trains a day : some 'short' workings and others running right through, including a full passenger train in each direction. Trains were sometimes double headed according to loadings and/or operational requirements. The line was operated from three sub-sheds, with all the locomotives having to return to Queenstown (the parent shed) for periodic washouts and maintenance, which - in the case of the pair of locomotives based at Maclear - was some 336 kms distant. In the latter years of steam the Class 19Ds dominated on this steeply graded scenic line which passed through remote countryside and provided a stern test for these 4-8-2s. Passenger, freight and mixed trains are featured in this book, with some 45% of the photographic content pertaining to the 'real steam' S.A.R. era, with specialised photographic charters making up most of the balance. Brief historic details of this remarkable line are provided throughout the appropriate sections of the book, together with anecdotal comments and the expected caption details, quite extended in many instances. The book serves as a memorable souvenir of what was always a favoured line amongst local and international enthusiasts.
Standard landscape format 10" x 8" , 25cm x 20 cm : hardcover with dustjacket,or image wrap, or softcover - your choice
This book is a fully illustrated record of the last years of steam locomotive operation on the 135 km long secondary main line between Stormberg Junction and Rosmead, these activities being supported by Burgersdorp shed with a turn-around facility at Rosmead shed, and the parent shed at Queenstown. Running through pleasant scenery, the primary attraction in the latter years of steam operation was the continued use of the veteran Class 15AR 4-8-2s, this line being the last in South Africa on which these locomotives were used in everyday open line service. Whilst the steam haulage of the top link duty (a full length through passenger train) was confined to the secondary line itself, the other freight and mixed train services ran to and from Burgersdorp, involving an additional 37 km run along the main line north of Stormberg Junction.
The 78 pages of this book, incorporating more than 100 photographs, present a comprehensive pictorial record of this secondary line operation, featuring three classes of locomotive at work. Brief historical details of this route are provided throughout the appropriate sections of the book, together with anecdotal comments and the expected caption details, quite extended in many instances. More than 70% of the photographic content is of 'real steam' operations in the S.A.R. era, with the balance made up of one special passenger train and two photographic charter train operations. Despite its secondary line status traffic eventually dwindled away with alternate routes having ample capacity to permit this line's closure. The book serves as a lasting tribute to the venerable 15ARs and this once important secondary route.
(NB Other classes of locomotive at work on this line are also included in the coverage).
[d] CAPE EASTERN STEAM (available in two versions ***)
364 PAGES
(I) Very large landscape format 13" x 11" , 33cm x 28cm : hardcover with dustjacket,or image wrap, - your choice.
(II) Standard landscape format 10" x 8" , 25cm x 20 cm : hardcover with dustjacket,or image wrap, or softcover - your choice.
Cape Eastern Steam - a massive 364 pages . This book is, quintessentially, an omnibus of the aforementioned Barkly East , Maclear and Burgersdorp/Rosmead books, but with additional content - amongst which are the spectacular Kei line, the Jamestown branch and steam action on the Cape Eastern main line. Complete with schematic maps, detailed captions, lively anecdotes, and technical and historic commentary . The Cape Eastern system of the South African Railways was fairly simple in structure, consisting of a 475 km long main line running northwards from East London to just outside of Springfontein. This formed the 'spine' of the system, from which led off two secondary routes to the west each of which also incorporated a junction giving access to a relatively minor branch line. From the main line itself, five other branch lines - two of which were around 280 kms long - served other communities in this vast area, much of which was rural in the extreme. Last but not least, from a junction just to the north of Burgersdorp a 53 km line headed east to Aliwal North, beyond which the line continued into the Orange Free State System. From Aliwal North, and remaining within the Cape Eastern system, a 157 km branch line struck out to the east. The final 93 km of this line (double the physical geographic distance), from Lady Grey to the terminus at Barkly East, was arguably South Africa's most remarkable stretch of railway.
The Cape Eastern main line was dieselised by 1966, and steam traction was eliminated from the last shunting and branch line activities by October 1983. Given that the Author only emigrated to South Africa during May of the previous year (and lived far from this area) it is fortuitous that more than a third of this books coverage is devoted to everyday 'real steam'. That was - of course - not to be the end of the remarkable steam activities in this System, and comprehensive coverage is provided of a number of steam era recreations that were - with difficulty - possible until the death knell rang out in 2001. For other notes, please refer to the three preceding individual books, which are all fully incorporated into this massive book.
(*** Please note that other than the page size and a slight change in cover design, the content of the two versions is otherwise the same, but the standard size is less than half the price of the other)
A note on book sizes (standard or very large landscape) : The standard landscape format book should satisfy most readers, the huge very large landscape format version is to cater for some of the Author's regular customers who demand this format, but it is unavoidably rather expensive …. But, then again, it's an awful lot of book! (Several people have commented that the very large landscape format books are just 'really special' : the choice is yours) HOWEVER, due to pressures on server space it is possible that the standard landscape version of this book will only be available (in the 'shop') for two weeks after this mail-out. Thereafter, you may have to e mail me and request for the standard landscape version to be "loaded" to the site once more.
This e-mail is not only intended for potential buyers of one or more of these books, although that is obviously the primary purpose. However, for those who just wish to browse, you are most welcome . As always, full and free previews of (every page of) every title are available from these links. Just follow the <preview> function. Don't forget to enlarge to <<full screen>>. But if you enjoy these free previews, please consider a purchase from the 46 titles in the catalogue; it is only by much appreciated tangible support that the production of this ambitious series of books is able to continue.
Please also do visit www.blurb.com/user/store/red3450 for all of the Author's forty-six titles, covering many other countries besides South Africa, although that country will always be the prime focus of this series.
*** COMING LATER 2018 / 2019 ***
(N.B. titles may change)
1. Nocturne : South African Steam at night
2. Rustenburg Platinum Mines
3. Cape Midland Steam
4. South African Steam On Shed
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, please go to www.goodsearch.com/blurb/coupons , or 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 40% 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 46 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.
(D) CHANGING YOUR E MAIL ADDRESS?
Please let me know J
With best wishes and I hope you find something of interest here. Please e mail me if you have any queries, or phone me.
REGARDS
Dennis
Dennis Moore, 808 Val de Vie Estate, Paarl 7646, South Africa
