For anyone out there interested in the NER (or maybe even just nice Railway books) you may already be aware that the Historical Model Railway Society (HMRS) published three books entitled "North Eastern Record" in three volumes between about 1988 and 2000.
Some time ago, I was lucky enough to find Volume 1 in a second hand bookshop and I paid a wee bit more for it than usual, simply because it was so nicely presented, with some very nice colour plates and line drawings. It's a wonderful reference book for NER enthusiasts in terms of the railways 'style' (stations, signage, signal boxes, uniforms etc). I was equally delighted to find Volume 3 (Locomotives) a few years later. I've been looking out for Volume 2 (Rolling Stock) ever since but all three have been 'out-of-print' for some time.
I was therefore both suprised and extremely pleased to spot Volume 2 on the Ian Allan Publishing website yesterday. They also seem to have Volume 3. I have of course ordered Volume 2 and I'm eagerly awaiting it's delivery. See this link;
http://www.ianallanpublishing.com/product.php?productid=7893&cat=0&page=1
I've just checked the HMRS website and these books are still out of print according to them - so I don't know how IAP has stock but I'm not complaining.
I will also admit to owning one other HMRS publication, again out of print as far as I know. I'm pretty certain someone else in this Forum will have a copy, as it's "LNWR Liveries". Again clearly a book put together with a great deal of love and a wonderful thing to get out from time to time and enjoy.
Regards
Hi Ian
The HMRS seem to have lots of their publications available at exhibitions at knock down prices, certainly the NER books have been for sale recently for £10 each, as have the Ince wagon book and the book on oil tankers " Oil on the Rails"
I presume when they have recouped their print costs they just want to clear excess stock.
Richard
Now you tell me Richard :)
I've certainly seen the Ince Wagon book in book clearance shops - but not for ten pounds. Unfortunately I've never seen NER Vol 2 anywhere.
So I'm not sure how this works in practice, as HMRS do not show them as being available or in print.
I could understand HRMS dumping them it if these books were the usual run-of-the-mill photography collections or "Steam Train" mass market stuff that WH Smiths regularly rolls out - but they are not.
I think 'NER Vol 1' and the 'LNWR Liveries' books verge on being collectors items, such is the quality.
The NER Vol 3 - which deals with Loco stock is perhaps more akin to some other very good reference books available (e.g Ken Hoole's Illustrated NER Locomotives) and I'm very much looking forward to receiving Vol 2 and comparing it with the Tatlow wagon books and what it has about NER coaching stock.
By the way, for the record I've paid 18.71 (plus 4.50 postage) for Vol 2. I don't know what it's original cover price was - but IAP have Vol 3 on at 24.95.
I suspect 25 pounds is what both of these books would have cost you when first published and that's 10 to 15 years ago. I'm pretty sure they would be more expensive than that if published today.
I guess the bottom line for me is that I'm very pleased to have found a (new) copy and it's very much a case of a "Bird in the hand"
You should have asked me before, Ian, I do a bit of S/H book jockying so am always looking for a bargain.
The HMRS Soc produce some really good reference books, but they are usually quite specialised, although the NER books are very well produced, they appeal to a relatively small section of the modelling community, as do most HMRS books.
Generally anything with GWR on the cover sells well, LMS next, LNER/Southern third, and as you would expect the pre-grouping companies, light railways/industrials follow on. Supply and demand.
Essery's LMS wagons vol 1 has just been re-printed at just under £20 (Amazon £11.34 with free postage ) Whereas before I have sold copies of LMS 1 for £45.00 so there are some really good bargains around.
I'm having a book clearout which includes Vol 1 + 2 of NE Record plus some others as follows. All are as new in as new dust jacket
NE Record Vol 2 £15
NE Record Vol 3 £15
Illustrated History of Midland Wagons by R J Essery£10
GWR Goods Wagons by A G Atkins, W Beard and R Tourret. Published in 1998, 530 pages £45
Ian
Goodness Ian, I have that GWR wagon book (although it might be the only GWR one I do have) but I would have willingly/swiftly swopped it for NER Vol 2 if I'd known it was so valuable. :)
Obviously I'm guilty of some form of Railway predudice here and I don't think I can claim it's an entirely subconcious bias either... Is this illegal yet?
IanT
PS - My new treasure hasn't arrived as yet...
Ian, I'll give you £23.21 for the GWR wagon book. ;D
Richard
No thanks
Ian
My knowledge of the GWR book in question suggests that that the original 'two-part' edition (which dates from the 1970s) now trades at in excess of 20GBP per volume and that the combined 1986 edition which I possess (224 pages) sells for around the 40GBP mark (if you are lucky enough to find a copy).
The edition being offered here is a 1998 edition which is said to have in excess of 500 pages, so draw your own conclusions as to possible value (I just tried finding a copy being offered for sale to check price but drew a blank).
Regards,
John.
Ian (Trainvan)
I wasn't offering you £23.21 for the book - I was offering our illustrious newsletter editor the amount that tallied with his HMRS purchase,
considering he was ready to do a swap !!!
By the way are you visiting at Shepshed this weekend ? - I've got a new G3 project on the boil.
Richard
Ian, "Illustrious Editor" here (just trying it out Richard, it does have a certain 'ring' to it). ;)
However, flattery (or a financial inducement) isn't going to get you the book I'm afraid. I certainly would have swopped the two books before I found the NER Vol 2. but now I'm in the happy position of having both! I'm revealed as a greedy wotsit!
Given my comments about Railway preferences, this might seem a bit strange. I was thinking about this last night & I guess one reason is that I simply like books. We holiday in the UK a lot and one of my obsessions is Second-Hand Book shops. Go to most places these days and the High Streets are pretty much the same. Find a Second-Hand Bookshop and suddenly there might be the thrill of finding something wonderful. I still remember finding a 1922 Henry Greenly "Model Steam Locomotives" in Hay for 10 pounds (Cabbage is green with envy) and that "LNWR Liveries" in Lemington (I was at the Fosse LSMR show) for 12 pounds. Absolutely made my day on both occassions. I don't remember when I brought the GWR book although I know I paid 8 pounds for it.
Why hang on to it? Well, I have to admit that whilst owning lot's of Railway book, I still know very little about them. I know other Members with an encylopedic knowledge of all things 'Railway' but I'm afraid I'm not one of them. A bit embaressing for the Editor I think you will agree. So I guess one reason I like reference books, is that when someone emails me and asks if I'd like an article about a GWR "Beaver" or "Gadfly" I can scamper off and find out what the heck they are talking about!
Anyway, I am sure we have drifted far off topic by now, so to save our Webmaster having to admonish the Moderator, I think we should bring this particular thread to an end.
Illustrious Editor ( I think it works OK )
It was a tongue in cheek comment, I already have a copy amongt my stock.
I'll stick to burning my fingers in future.
Best regards
Richard
Just posted my thoughts below Richard, when the doorbell rang & Volume 2 finally arrived.
Suffice it to say that I'm very pleased with my latest purchase but thank you for your offer. My fingers are still intact but then I haven't started on that NER Hopper yet!
Regards,
Ian
Wait till you see my loco coal wagon and 48DS
Richard
Hi All,
There were still plenty of "North Eastern Record" Vols 2 & 3 available on the HMRS stand at Scale4 North (Wakefield) yesterday, at the discount prices - think was £12, but could have been £10. Understand their stand will be at the GOG Summer Show (Halifax) if anyone is interested.
Derek.
Thank you for this news Derek. I am (of course) delighted that other Members will be able to get a Bargain. :'(
Unfortunately, my purchase has turned out to be less of a bargain than I thought, but I guess one lesson learned is to ask the question first and use the collective wisdom availalbe through the Forum.
I'm a bit miffed with the HMRS though. Their website seems to suggest these books aren't available.