Jane's Train Recognition Guide

I really wanted to give this book a three star rating, but as there are no alternatives, and it is in fact quite handy as a casual resource, I gave it a higher rating than it probably deserves. These all-in-one reference books intended for the general market are by nature hampered by limitations on price and binding size, and thus cannot be comprehensive. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are better references for US locomotives. Also, I question the odd preoccupation with Australian trains- 27 pages are devoted to them, while only 20 pages to French types, and a miserly 15 pages to Japanese trains. Certainly Jane's, with all their research expertise, can give us more information on trains outside the anglophone world? In addition, and once again mentioned by another reviewer, this book is already 4 years out of date. Many new trains including high speed rail designs have been introduced since the publishing date. As far as layout, pictures are acceptable, though a few are out of focus or taken platform side, obscuring detail. I would have liked line drawings and dimensions, at least for well-known or major types (a minor quibble). That said, this is the only "affordable" all-in-one reference to world trains out there (barring those remainder bin "coffee table" books full of pretty pictures and even more errors), and it does provide info on less well-known African, South American, and Asian trains and locomotives. Jane's is to be commended for introducing these types to Western readers.

This is a good spotter's guide for contenporary world railroads. I wanted more pictures,to see all sides and liveries. Judging by the lack of information on american locos, I can only think the other railroads are just as sparse. Still, it is a good reference. I have seen references with more information but not as handy.

This book is THE deifinitive reference book for train enthusiasts, especially those interested in locomotives. It covers all classes of electric and diesel motive power in use as of 2005. The book is full color, and goes in to all the various classes of each type of equipment. The hundreds of color pictures from all over the world make it a must have for anyone interested in railroads. However, the book should really be named "Locomotive Recognition Guide" as there is no coverage of passenger cars or freight cars. Perhaps there will be future editions covering those topics. For the price, you cannot go wrong!