Dining on Rails By Richard Luckin An Encyclopedia of Railroad China Hard Cover

$150.00

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Dining on Rails By Richard Luckin An Encyclopedia of Railroad China

Hard Cover

416 Pages

Our primary objective is to provide an easy-to-use, understandable reference guide. We believe we have accomplished this in several ways.

First, all railroads have been listed alphabetically and are listed by their full names. For example, "Denver and Rio Grande Western" is the name used, not "Rio Grande"; "Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific," rather than "Rock Island." We have also instituted a new china pattern numbering system that uses railroad reporting marks. Some examples are:

A & WP - Atlanta and West Point

B&0- Baltimore and Ohio

CN- Canadian National

L& N- Louisville and Nashville

SR- Southern

SP- Southern Pacific

China pattern names are also listed alphabetically in each chapter. Consideration was given to listing the oldest pattern first for each railroad. However, with new patterns surfacing regularly, this idea seems impractical. Here's an example of the new pattern numbering system:

Reporting MarkNumberPattern Name

B& 0IBaltimore

B& 02Camden

B& 03Capitol

B& 03aCapitol

B& 04Centenary

Note: The lower case letter after the number indicates a variation of the same pattern.

Regarding pattern names - there has been a great deal of confusion the last few years with the naming of patterns. Our approach is this:

I. The railroad's pattern name was used when known.

2..If the railroad pattern name is not known, we used the china manufacturer's pattern name.
1..If the railroad or china manufacturer's pattern name is not known, then we used Father Steve Sandknop's pattern name. He is the author of Nothing Could Be Finer, a Compendium of Railroad Dining Car China.

4. If none of the above are available, as in the case with new patterns, the individual collector had the opportunity to suggest a pattern name based on the following criteria:

a..On what train was the china used?
b..When was it used?
c..Is there something unique in the pattern design that could be used as a pattern name?(i.e. Peacock, Eagle,Mountains & Flowers, Liberty Bell, Violets and Daisies, Silhouette, California Poppy.)
d..Is there a geographical area the train or railroad served that would be appropriate for a pattern name? e. Is there a dominant color that would suggest a pattern name? (i.e. Coral, Cobalt Blue, Verde Green)

Every attempt has been made to authenticate china usage based on the information available at the time of printing. Remember, though, passenger carrying railroads discontinued passenger service with the advent of Amtrak in 1971. Unfortunately many of their records disappeared along with their passenger service.Another important point to consider - if a china pattern is only rumored to have been used and has NO documented proof of usage, the china is not shown in the book. We believe that showing a "maybe" pattern would be a disservice to the collector.

Attention has also been given to "other" railroad china. This category embraces steamship lines, hotels and station restaurants owned and operated by railroads. Patterns that fall under this category are contained in the regular section for that particular railroad. Traction lines that provided food service have also been included. Again, little information is available.

In order that collectors have a more accurate method of identifying china patterns, a color code system has been devised. Through the years some patterns have varied in colors, depending on manufacturer. Our color code system, however, is at least a start in the right direction.

As you go through the book, you'll see we've added life to the photographs by including complementary items like timetables, menus, napkins, maps, passes or HO scale models. Unusual backstamps and closeups of top marked designs or logos are shown on the same page as the china for your convenience.

One last comment. . . we have opened each chapter, when possible, with a railroad advertisement to capture a part of rail passenger history.

We hope you enjoy this collection of railroad china as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.

All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.

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