:thumbs_up:Farewell's best book to date! (Just from the almost all color pictures!) Insightful text with color photographs of many locales. Mostly Rio Grande diesels but included are very good views of Southern Pacific and Union Pacific motive power. If you liked his previous books: "Rio Grande Ruler of the Rockies"; "Rio Grande Secret Places Volumes I & II" you will have your expectations surpassed! No narrow gauge. (Possibly your next project, Mr. Farewell).
I have two R.C. Farewell books: 1) Rio Grande: Ruler of the Rockies and 2) Rio Grande Secret Places Vol 2 I like both books but compared to the Morning Sun Rio Grande in Color series, the photo's aren't that helpful for modeling purposes and identifying details in pictures. The photo's in the to books I have (above) are a bit "muddy" and more distant shots. Most are black and white photo's so that is probably why the above books aren't as nice as the Morning Sun books. My Secret places book has a lot of photo's of post UP merger in it, and thats when my interest wanes. I prefer books which are more "pure" D&RGW books.
I have found that "Diesel Era" magazine is very good at showing closeup detail of locomotives. Although many closeups are black & white.
Like Jim, I prefer color books, but having Secret Places V1, I find it invaluable for footage of a railroad I know well, and have documented in hundreds of reference photos. It is useful for alternate angles, and I have made great use of it building my HCD layout. It does include Espee era photos, but even there, they are mostly pre-AC4400 era. Unrepeatable coverage nevertheless. I like Rich's willingness to get into the deep bush, miles from the nearest road to seek out shots nobody else has tried. His work inspired me to seek more remote, more unique shots, different angles and head into more inaccessible areas. I have met Rich in person, and he's a very knowledgeable, helpful guy. I would love to add A Last look Back to my library someday...
Color books are great. Maybe that is why I found "...A Last Look Back..." so refreshing. My 1st Rio Grande book, purchased in 1984, was Strapac's "Rio Grande Diesels Vol. 2" (I also have 1 & 3). I wish the photographs were in color.
