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Wither the END OF STEAM
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Author:  William L. Petitjean, P.E [ Thu Feb 06, 2003 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Wither the END OF STEAM
About a month ago Ken Riddle of Little River Press (Little River Locomotive) announced the release of my little book called the END OF STEAM. There have been several descriptions of it posted here and elsewhere.

Since then interest in the book and subsequent sales have been pretty dismal.

I am looking for some feedback as to what the historical railway community thinks is wrong with the book. There was a huge interest when a seriously abridged version was published years ago in "Railway & Locomotive Preservation". This book is the complete manuscript and I think tells more of the original story.

I am puzzled by the lack of interest this time around. I would like to write more on the subject of steam locomotives with more of a bent toward the future -- bringing nearly 40 years of operating and engineering experience with steam engines to those who have a serious interest in these machines. But, if the END OF STEAM is any indication of the depth of interest it is not worth the effort.

I would appreciate any comments, good, bad or otherwise. Thanks.

Bill Petitjean

petitinc@nwlink.com
Author:  Dave Wolven [ Thu Feb 06, 2003 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wither the END OF STEAM
> About a month ago Ken Riddle of Little River
> Press (Little River Locomotive) announced
> the release of my little book called the END
> OF STEAM. There have been several
> descriptions of it posted here and
> elsewhere.

> Since then interest in the book and
> subsequent sales have been pretty dismal.

> I am looking for some feedback as to what
> the historical railway community thinks is
> wrong with the book. There was a huge
> interest when a seriously abridged version
> was published years ago in "Railway
> & Locomotive Preservation". This
> book is the complete manuscript and I think
> tells more of the original story.

> I am puzzled by the lack of interest this
> time around. I would like to write more on
> the subject of steam locomotives with more
> of a bent toward the future -- bringing
> nearly 40 years of operating and engineering
> experience with steam engines to those who
> have a serious interest in these machines.
> But, if the END OF STEAM is any indication
> of the depth of interest it is not worth the
> effort.

> I would appreciate any comments, good, bad
> or otherwise. Thanks.

> Bill Petitjean

Bill you asked for comments on your latest book.
I have yet to see a copy in our book store, however the title my put people off inasmuch as steam has not ended for a great number of use. We at O.E.R.M. are tryin to fund a new crown sheet and when we do our steam engine will live onther 15 years.
Dave Wolven

davewolven@msn.com
Author:  Fred Krock [ Thu Feb 06, 2003 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wither the END OF STEAM
> Since then interest in the book and
> subsequent sales have been pretty dismal.

> I would appreciate any comments, good, bad
> or otherwise. Thanks.

> Bill Petitjean

Mr. Pettijean:

I thought the original published version was excellent. I wish more of the steam foamers would have read it. They don't seem to realize that the same laws of physics and economics that doomed steam locomotives on railroads around the world also apply to museum operations. It should be required reading for all museum steam enthusiasts.

I will nag my local museum bookstore to stock your book.

Perfection of the diesel-electric locomotive also doomed all of the plans for extensive electrification of Class 1 railroads following World War II.

Perhaps your book would get more interest if you attched a suffix to the title like, "Why diesel locomotives replaced steam around the world."

Thank you for writing this book and good luck.

fk



fkrock@pacbell.net
Author:  dave [ Thu Feb 06, 2003 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wither the END OF STEAM
Bill, I think you have a distribution problem. One mail order site isn't going to generate a great deal of traffic, and Ken's fine selection is almost entirely geared towards the technical side of how to keep them going, rather than an academic accounting of why they aren't going anymore.

Don't stop writing. Share a table with Ken at the next ARM and TRAIN conventions, and see if you can't distribute your books like the other merchandise wholesalers with displays do.

dave
Author:  Marty Knox [ Thu Feb 06, 2003 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wither the END OF STEAM
> About a month ago Ken Riddle of Little River
> Press (Little River Locomotive) announced
> the release of my little book called the END
> OF STEAM. There have been several
> descriptions of it posted here and
> elsewhere.

> Since then interest in the book and
> subsequent sales have been pretty dismal.

Bill, it's on my list of books I want to get. I'm not able to go out and buy everything I want immediately, especially right after Christmas. One of the pre-requisites for this business is patience!


Martyhuck@aol.com
Author:  R Petersen [ Thu Feb 06, 2003 11:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wither the END OF STEAM
We all love steam. Could a title like- the life of steam railroads - cause some one to reach out?


rpetersen@blast.net
Author:  Superheater [ Fri Feb 07, 2003 12:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wither the END OF STEAM
Contact the Steamtown Museum Association bookstore.. I'd bet they'll stock it.

I'll be looking for a copy.
>

Superheater@rrmail.com
Author:  Ted Miles [ Fri Feb 07, 2003 12:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wither the END OF STEAM
Bill,

I am looking forward to seeing your book. I suggest that you have the Colorado Railroad Museum stock it. I think they do the largest business of any railroad book store in the country.

And for any other authors: they carry books from all over the map not just Colorado.

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov
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