GOLDEN STEAM and other new book information

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John Ashworth
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GOLDEN STEAM and other new book information

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Dennis Moore wrote:Good Day, Ladies & Gentlemen
Only the second e-mail from me this year but there is now a fair amount of information to impart. One of my most popular books has been “Black Diamonds” which provided comprehensive coverage of the steam worked colliery railways in South Africa. Developing the industrial theme further, I now have pleasure in presenting “Golden Steam” which similarly gives extensive exposure (over a two decade period) to the seven steam worked mine railways that operated in the Welkom goldfield.
GOLDEN STEAM (The Welkom Mine Railways) fully 240 PAGES [340 photographs] http://www.blurb.com/b/6379127 (Standard Landscape Format 25cm x 20 cm) *** AND http://www.blurb.com/b/6375323 (Very Large Landscape Format 33cm x 28cm)
South African industrial steam at its finest. This book provides comprehensive photographic coverage of the seven steam worked railway systems in the Welkom goldfield from 1983 through to the inevitable end nearly twenty years later. As with the Author's earlier work on South African colliery railways, one mine has been specially selected for extensive coverage, this being Loraine Gold Mine, the last of the photogenic systems, which continued operations right through to late 1998. Golden Steam ... and what magnificent machines they were. In contrast to many of the coal mining railways around the country, the standard of external maintenance of the locomotives at most of Welkom's gold mines was consistently high. The variety of steam locomotives used on these railways was extensive, no less than eleven classes being depicted in this book, and the attraction to the enthusiast was compounded by the imaginative liveries adopted by the various operators. And some of these locomotives were really old, eg. an 88 years young Class 11 2-8-2 still in everyday use and in superb condition. Unashamedly nostalgic, this book is filled with scenes from a past era, complete with a system map as well as the historical and anecdotal commentary for which this Author is so well known. The mine railway systems portrayed encompass the following : LORAINE GOLD MINES, FREE STATE GEDULD, WESTERN HOLDINGS, ST. HELENA GOLD MINE, PRESIDENT BRAND, PRESIDENT STEYN, FREE STATE SAAIPLAAS.
Produced in two formats …. The first (and much cheaper) 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.) (The contents of the two formats are identical other than in the cover design)
*** Please note the direct link given for the standard format version may only be operative for a period of two weeks, thereafter please access this version via the general catalogue http://www.blurb.com/user/store/red3450
LORAINE GOLD MINE : STEAM LOCOMOTIVES AT WORK. http://www.blurb.com/b/6377890
A substantial 138 page [175 photographs] standard landscape format book (25 x 20 cm) focussing on arguably the most photogenic of all the steam worked mine railways around Welkom. It operated right through to 1998, and the final two decades of steam operation featured four classes in use ranging from a 4-8-2 tank, two types of 4-8-2 and a delightful 10CR Pacific. Alone amongst the railways this mine retained a basic black livery and the former S.A.R. locomotives retained their running numbers. They were superbly maintained. Please note the book is fully extracted from “Golden Steam” and has been produced for those wanting a photographic tribute to just this one rather special operation
And a brief mention to another new publication :
A GLIMPSE OF WEST GERMAN STEAM 1973 http://www.blurb.com/b/6377716
This one does “what it says on the tin”. Standard portrait size (20 x 25 cm) , 70 pages [95 photographs]. Produced in the well received travel diary style that has been a feature of most of the Author’s non South African titles, this dates back over 40 years to the Author’s early photographic endeavours and has really been produced as a personal nostalgic memento. It is not expected to have the same general appeal as the other titles in the Author’s catalogue, but it is available if required.
And please, do visit http://www.blurb.com/user/store/red3450 for all of the Author’s thirty-six 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 <>,
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 have to pay the catalogue price. If you are buying a book / books, please go to http://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 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 38 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 just one [brand new] copy of the original edition of “A Zimbabwe Journey” is available. It has the original colour cover and has 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 )
http://www.blurb.com/user/store/red3450
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