How to Order

Just discovering my books on VIA Rail? Read on...I've streamlined the website to make it easier to order. Free previews of my four books on VIA Rail are in the left sidebar.

Click here to go to Books by Eric Gagnon - How to Order

Prices:

Trackside with VIA: The First 35 Years (V1) $30

Trackside with VIA: Cross-Canada Compendium (V2) $35

Trackside with VIA: Consist Companion (V3) $15

Trackside with VIA: Research & Recollections (V4) $35

- I usually ship within two business days in a padded mailer. 

- Shipping within Canada included in prices. 

- Email me with any inquiries you may have. 

--Eric

VIAvailable!

I recently visited my publisher and picked up a shipment of books to ensure they're always in stock. To see these books appear on your bookshelf, please see ordering options in right sidebar.

Highball!
Eric

Back to the Beginning!

As I noted in my previous post, all my books on VIA Rail are always in stock. It is a pleasure dealing with a local printer, Allan Graphics. Very responsive, with timing and quality very customer-focused and convenient.

Now that my graphic designer Bryan Babcock (and I) joined the ranks of the retired, I can no longer rely on to-the-door delivery. So upon returning from a western trip aboard VIA Rail, it was back to business and back to see Gloria Allan to pick up two more boxes of books. In this case, the first two that began this publishing odyssey in 2011 and 2012.

It's still a thrilling feeling to see one's work in print. But even moreso, to be able to put research, photos, data and more into the hands of VIA modellers and enthusiasts.

Returning home, the day's mail included an order for all books for a customer in Montreal, QC. That's where I began this odyssey called life back in 1964, so it really was back to the beginning of it all, geographically speaking. 

All books, always in stock!

Highball!

Eric

In Print, In Stock!

I'm pleased to say that not a week goes by that I'm not still talking to someone about my four books on VIA Rail. They're all still in print. No small feat, considering the first was published in 2011!

Moving on to Manitoba and Saskatchewan for my next two books, I'll leave this VIA post here for awhile. 

Somebody's bound to see it!

Highball!

Eric

New Book Review in CRM!

The March-April 2018 issue of Canadian Railway Modeller magazine arrived this week. It includes a review of Trackside with VIA - Research and Recollections. Though it's been a year since my latest book was released, it takes time for a review to percolate through the writing, editing and publication steps and schedules. 

In a letter-to-the-editor reply, the editor writes, "...it is amazing that we are still able to put out a print copy magazine."In this day and age of social media. I share his amazement that VIAphiles and rail enthusiasts of all stripes are interested in books printed on actual paper. Well, when you do research, such as paint schemes, refurbishing dates and wraps, it sits quite nicely on the shelf in book form. Ready for when you need it.

To those who may read this review and heed its clarion call to learn more about VIA, I say, "All aboard! En voiture!" and most importantly, welcome aboard.

Thanks to CRM editor Morgan Turney and reviewer Russell Morgan.

Highball!
Eric

Two by Two...

I'm looking forward to gathering with the ARK! The Associated Railroaders of Kingston, next Tuesday night at Denny's. I'll be speaking on a favourite topic - platform scenes at Kingston's VIA station. My talk will include earlier stations, trips made from the station platform, books on the platform, and of course trains throughout VIA's various eras. 

You just know VIA had to figure in there somewhere.

I'll also be mentioning my upcoming two-volume series of books: Trains and Grains!

Highball!

Eric

1,215 Copies Sold!

This week I sent the last two remaining copies of the first print run of Trackside with VIA: Research and Recollections east and west, to Montreal and Alberta respectively. Don't worry, my printer will be getting an order for more. Printed locally, I'm always able to keep copies of all four books on VIA Rail in stock.

But with this last sale, I ran the numbers (see left sidebar for each volume's sales) and they total 1,215 copies of these four books that have found their way to store shelves, bookshelves and the hands of eager modellers and VIA Rail enthusiasts. Thank you for your support.

This winter and spring I'm working on a new book project. While it takes a slightly different tack, or track, it still includes VIA Rail and will focus on trainwatching in Canada's railfan capital, Portage la Prairie, MB. The project is called Trains & Grains - a two-volume set due out this spring.

CP Rail Action Red 1409 leads VIA's only roadswitcher, 8558 and CP GP-9 8519 into "Portage" on the Canadian on August 22, 1979. And you are there!

Highball!

Eric