Welcome

Although a railroad’s “back shops” were among the most important aspect of daily operations, they often went unnoticed by the general public and historians. For the first time, a comprehensive history of the largest heavy repair shops in the United States during the steam era has been published. This is the first of three planned volumes, covering the Northeast and New England.

Volume 2 covers what was perhaps the densest railroading region in the world - the Midwest from Ohio to Missouri and Minnesota. This 350 page book describes 50 shop sites owned by 19 railroads (CNW, IC, Rock Island, Big Four, Soo, Wabash, Milwaukee, Monon, etc.). Profusely illustrated with 475 photos, illustrations, diagrams, and maps. 

The third and final volume describes the back shops of the southern and western parts of the US. This 364 page hardcover book contains eight southern railroads and eight western railroads (B&O, ATSF, UP, SP, N&W, C&O, MoPac, L&N, ACL, D&RGW, etc.). Profusely illustrated with photos, illustrations, diagrams, and maps. 

The locomotive roundhouse was by far the most distinctive structure of any railroad yard, and in many cases was the most unique building in the entire town. About 3,000 of them once dotted the landscape, but less than 200 remain. This limited edition, hardcover book, written for die-hard fans of the American roundhouse, attempts to preserve some of that history. Features hundreds of photographs collected by the author over a 20 year period. Published in March 2022.

The years following World War II represented a unique era in railroading as diesel engines shared the tracks with steam locomotives, passenger trains were still in operation, and the automobile still hadn't fully taken over transportation. 225 high quality photos; 171 pages.

New York’s railroads were among the most important in the world. They transported people and goods from the port cities of Boston and New York to the developing Midwest, and coal from the fields of Pennsylvania to the north. For the first time, the routes, yards, terminals, and back shops of all of the major railroads are displayed in full color, along with the communities they served. Only 250 copies of this first edition, heirloom quality book will ever be printed.

Railroad Wars relates the saga of the railroad companies from their inception through the end of the 19th century. In an age when few regulations existed to check the power of corporations and the men who ran them, the railroads grew to become a dominant force in the economy. They were able to operate almost without restraint, carrying out stock market manipulation, rate wars, duplicity, court rigging, and legislator bribing on a grand scale. Published by History Press in 2012.

This hardcover atlas of railroads in New York's Capital Region (Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Mechanicville, Colonie, Green Island, Rotterdam Junction, etc.) has 180 full color, high quality maps printed on glossy paper for easy viewing. The maps cover the years 1840 to 2019, emphasizing the late 1800s and early 1900s. An index aids in finding specific maps, and a detailed description of them is given on each page. Limited printing, published in March 2020.

This softcover book describes the exciting history of rail transportation in the Capital District of New York State during the height of operations from the late 1800s to mid-1900s. Although the book was designed as an easy-to-read overview of railroading in Upstate New York, it contains many details that will be of interest to beginners and rail historians alike. Contains more than 100 vintage photographs and maps. 161 pages, 8½ X 11 inches, published in January 2012.

Perhaps the most exciting time in railroad history was from 1826 to 1900 when the technology was new and "railroad fever" gripped the nation. The first railroad in the Capital District was among the first in the country and helped usher in a new age of transportation. Softcover, 8.5 X 11 inches, 115 B&W photographs and maps, 135 pages, indexed, published March 2011. The 2nd edition contains revisions and 15 additional images.

This Arcadia Publishing title of 128 pages has over 200 illustrations. It begins with a look at the pioneer railroads in the area as New York's Capital District became an important railroad hub very early. Other chapters are dedicated to Albany, Schenectady, and Troy. The final chapter reviews many of the historic locations and facilities that have long passed into railroad memory. This popular book was published in 2020 and is available at most major retailers.

Originally published during Ballston Spa's bicentennial in 2007, this book provides a complete history of the unique freight trolley line that operated from Ballston Spa to Middle Grove. It served a 12 mile section of the Kayaderosseras Creek and its many paper mills and other industries. Workers, students, and day-trippers alike used the financially-strapped electric railroad for 30 years before it closed for good in 1929.

Over the course of a decade of research, Timothy Starr amassed over 700 newspaper articles about Capital District railroads. The vast majority of them cover the years 1840 to 1920 when railroading in general was vital to both passengers and businesses. The most interesting articles were gathered together and reprinted in this fascinating book. The softcover version has sold out and there will be no further print runs.

This book features inventors from the exciting industrial era of the Capital Region, from the mammoth foundries along the Hudson River, to the collar factories of Troy, to the General Electric campus of Schenectady, to the stove fabricators of Albany. Students of history will be pleased to find the inventors of the railroad air brake, the Schenectady Putter, modern toilet paper, incandescent light bulbs, and billiard balls. Published by History Press in 2010.

Learn about potato chips, Standard Time, revolving turrets, sound machines, fire engines, and many other Saratoga-based inventions. Information was drawn from more than 50 resources, including books that are over a century old. The softcover version is sold out.

The little village of Ballston Spa produced many dozens of inventions in its long history. Although not every invention could be included, many of the most famous, unique, or bizarre patents are represented, including by well-known Ballstonians. Published in April 2008. This limited-edition title is sold out and there are currently no plans to print more.

In the late 1800s, Albany County hosted some 600 manufacturers that employed over 15,000 people. Revenues from cotton and woolen goods were valued above all others, followed by malt liquors, stoves, finished lumber, machinery, carriages, and agricultural tools. This book is a fascinating look at industries that once flourished but are today all but forgotten. Printed on glossy paper for easier reading. Softcover, 126 pages, profusely illustrated.

Many books have been written about Saratoga's infamous gambling history and mineral springs. This title features the most comprehensive history of Saratoga's exciting industrial era yet produced. Chapters include descriptions of the paper mills, woodenware factories, lumber drives, mines, tanneries, foundries, and many more industries that made the 19th century perhaps the most exciting period in the county's history. Published by History Press in 2010.

This limited edition title describes the history of the many manufacturing enterprises that operated in Ballston Spa and Milton during the 19th and 20th centuries. Although industry existed both before and after, the century between 1850 and 1950 was the most exciting chapter of this history. Tools, clothing, paper, chocolate, paper collars, and emery are just a few of the products exported around thThe softcover 1st and 2nd editions of this book are sold out, but an online version is available.

The town of Milton, New York is crisscrossed by a series of rivers which have played an important role in its development. Milton's only village, Ballston Spa, with the attraction of its rare mineral springs, was once among the country's most popular tourist destinations. When the tourist trade faded, it was replaced by a massive expansion of industry that was situated along the town's waterways. Contains over 200 pictures. Published by Arcadia in 2015.

This is a modern reprint of two booklets authored by newspaper correspondent and Ballston native John S. Bulkeley in the 1870s. Original copies are very rare and only found with a few local historians and libraries. Book titles in this volume are: “Leading Men and Leading Pursuits of Ballston and Vicinity” (1874) and “Leading Industrial Pursuits of Glen’s Falls, Sandy Hill & Fort Edward” (1877).

George West immigrated from England in 1849, settled in Saratoga County in 1861, and went on to become one of the most successful manila paper and paper bag manufacturers in the world. He was also elected to the New York State Assembly and United States House of Representatives for multiple terms. Published in September 2009, softcover, 6"x9" binding, 135 pages. The softcover version has sold out.

Isaiah Blood was born in 1810 and grew up in the town of Ballston. He assumed ownership of his father's scythe shop and built it into one of the largest edge-tool works in the state. He also served as town supervisor, state assemblyman, and state senator. The book contains dozens of pictures, graphics, and maps; a genealogy of Blood's direct ancestors dating back to the 1600s; and a comprehensive history of Bloodville. Back in print for a limited time.

Written in 1989, The Meatloaf Incident is loosely based on childhood adventures growing up in Hebron, New York (a small town near the Vermont border). Because it was printed for the benefit of family, there will be no other reprints (only 100 were made available to the public).

David is a miner from the village of Ashdale. The problem is, the caves nearby have been mined of all iron and coal. In the library he learns that an ancient village used something called redstone for building powered rails to mines far away. However, the only redstone known to exist within a day’s journey is across Heath River in the forests of Banewood. Few have traveled inside of that dark, fearsome jungle, where zombies roam day and night, and spiders attack every minute.

Years ago, miners and Guardians from the village of Truxton went missing after going to the Cursed Mines. Now David’s cousin Ethan, who was jealous of David’s fame from the Quest for Redstone, has disappeared just a few days after vowing to find the mines and make a name for himself. With most of Ashdale’s Guardians out searching for him in the wrong places, only David and two Guardians are left to make the dangerous journey. What will they find when they get there?