EMD early road switchers: GP7-GP20 LOCOMOTIVES Paperback – 112 pages. Author Brian Solomon ISBN 1-58007-096-5

The Switcher type locomotive was developed to switch rolling stock from one track to another for use on poor track and tight curves. This type eventually developed into a much larger locomotive for mainline freight and passenger operations. In the 1930’s General Motors saw an emerging market in the diesel-electric locomotive and purchased its prime engine supplier, Winton together with its main customer the Electro-Motive Corporation. Over the next 10 years EMD became the leader in diesel-electric technology. The introduction of the now-famous 567 model remained the staple diesel-electric locomotive for the next 25 years. WWII provided a powerful boost to company fortunes and in 1949 came the GP series of diesels. Affectionately known as the Geep. The steam engine was dead and EMD became the dominant producer of locomotives in the USA. Later chapters cover Geep operations and rebuilt units still rolling. Brian Solomon’s book details the history of EMD from its formation in the 1930’s to the present day. It is packed with over 200 high quality photographs, mostly in colour, together with an authoritative text that will give many hours of pleasure and form a valuable reference work for the EMD GP series of diesel-electric locomotives.

To order call USA on (001) 800-895-4585 or www.specialtypress.com or UK Midland Publishing Tel: 01455 254 450.

Colin Usher