Remaining copies of Steam at Allandale gone

We were pleased that a number of people who had requested a copy of the Allandale book were able to purchase one over the second half of June. It is possible that we will reprint this volume, but only if enough interest is shown. If you would purchase one or more copies of Steam at Allandale from a future printing, please advise us of your intentions by e-mail. If sufficient interest is shown, we will reprint the volume.

Coaling plant--who's in?

With work on the Northern Ontario book winding down, I will be turning attention to our virtual modeling project as mentioned on this web log April 6. So far, I have Robert Wilton, Andrew Batchelor, Ryan Laroche, Dick Chalmers and Doug Cushman. With me, that makes six of us. Would Andrew, Ryan and Doug please send me a personal e-mail at ian@canadianbranchline.com as I need to confirm your e-mail addresses.

I'm going to take stock of what we need to get started. We'll probably get underway in July. Anyone else who comes along to start the project after we begin can follow the instructions on the web log.

Update on Steam in Northern Ontario

As of today, the 52,000-word manuscript has been completed and all chapters except the introduction have been laid out. Currently, I am writing several thousand words of photo captions, labelling 130 maps and sharpening and cleaning up more than 230 photos. That work will take a few weeks. The book will go to the printer before the end of July and should be in our hands around Labour Day. When we receive the books, distribution will begin (expected to take about 3 weeks)

Remaining copies from first printing of Steam at Allandale being distributed

Back in 1998 when Steam at Allandale was produced, our intention was to produce a five-volume series on CNR steam operations in Southern Ontario. According to that plan, a limited number of boxed sets would be made available when the five volumes were completed (autumn of 2004). For that purpose, we planned to hold back three cases (approximately 48 books) of each title. Since the first release, however, it has become clear that the series of publications will exceed the original planned five (now it looks more like ten). Thus, the initial plan to sell a boxed set of all titles was no longer realistic--it would be unreasonable for an individual to wait 15 years or more for the opportunity to purchase the series all at once.

Until now, we have not distributed the few remaining copies from the first press run of the Allandale book out of regard for fairness to the many hundreds of persons who have requested one over the past five years. However, there is a good chance we will reprint Steam at Allandale within the next couple of years. In that regard, we are now distributing the remaining copies from the first release. We are calling this our "Collector's Edition" sale, as the first printing contained a time table error (addressed with an insert) that a subsequent printing will not. Therefore, please do not be disappointed if you are not able to purchase one this time around. If you are a collector and simply must have one of the original printing, this release is for you. If you are interested in the book for its content, you may be happier waiting for a reprint.

The copies of Steam at Allandale being released now are only available for online purchase through this website using PayPal. When the available copies have been purchased, we will remove the item from the order page. Quantities are limited to one per person; any monies remitted for more than one copy will be refunded. If you wish to purchase a copy of the Allandale or other book, please go to our online order form.

More Book Progress

As of June 12, 2006, the 52,000-word manuscript for Steam in Northern Ontario has been completed. Photo selections have been made. I have been producing track maps and laying out the book. It appears as if this volume will have eight more pages than previous titles. Page layout has been completed for six of the twelve chapters. We are still on target for the book being turned over to the printer at the end of July for a Labour Day release.