Rail Books Review
Chicago & North Western The 400 Club
by Bruce C. Nelson,
published by South Platte Press
www.southplattepress.com
Author Bruce C. Nelson presents
Chicago & North Western’s (C&NW) presidential F-unit fleet history in a new South Platte Press title. More than merely offering up the frequent- ly photographed F-units that served the road in the 1980s for business and marketing purposes, this well- written and researched softcover ef- fort goes all the way back and pro- vides the reader with a complete history of C&NW’s ownership and operation of its F-units. Across six chapters, author Nelson
explains C&NW F-unit motive power purchases of Electro-Motive Divi- sion’s landmark F-unit series. You’ll read about these diesels in freight, passenger, and later suburban ser- vice for Chicago & North Western. Images are a mix of black-and-white and color with the majority present- ed in full color showing the modifi- cations performed by C&NW to these long-serving members of its diesel roster. Nelson details paint schemes too and addresses when revisions came to the road’s livery. Included is information on just what version of yellow the shop forces applied to C&NW power from early Stagecoach Yellow to Zito Yellow. Finally, the book details C&NW’s selection from its remaining F-unit collection in the 1980s during the process of building its presidential fleet. The use of these special F-
units is particularly interesting with explanations regarding how C&NW officials toured the system. A map illustrates an annual tour of C&NW’s system in 1984 and highlights what sections saw a visit from the road’s inspection train pulled by its presi- dential Fs. South Platte’s 88-page Chicago &
North Western, The 400 Club: A His- tory of the Presidential F Units con- tains 95 images. Photo reproduction is generally very good throughout this new book. An in-depth roster of the five members of the 400 Club is presented at the book’s conclusion, along with official railroad diagrams and disposition information. For ex- ample, you’ll learn Colorado’s Royal Gorge tourist road is now home to
some expatriate 400 Club members. This book retails for $29.95 and will be a welcome addition to any C&NW and F-unit fan’s library.
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