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

Now THAT'S a Christmas card!

"With every Christmas card I write..." crooned Bing Crosby in that festive chestnut 'White Christmas'. Well, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone who joined me in celebrating the fortieth anniversary of VIA by supporting my Trackside with VIA series, especially this year's Research and Recollections!

Greetings of the season to Lance Gleich for this Happy Holidays card that arrived today with his book order. Lance captions his photo, "VIA Rail Canada P42DC 900 wore the special wrap for Canada's Sesquicentennial as it departed Montreal, Quebec at Wellington Tower with Corridor train No 669 on an icy April 3, 2017"

This card is mantle-approved and Santa-approved. 

Thanks, Lance!

Highball,

Eric

Honoured, Chris...

Fellow blogger Chris Mears posted his impressions about my books on VIA Rail, going waaay back to Trackside with VIA - The First 35 Years. It was December, 2011 when Chris first sent me an email about some of the discoveries he made, "Good evening Eric. I was leafing through Trackside With VIA when I discovered some really great GO consists. The first ones I saw were toward the back of the book and I'll admit that quoting the cliché of "Christmas morning excitement" is akin to what I felt as I headed to the section on the '76-'81 consists." 

I share that excitement, Chris! It, and responses like this one from good folks like you, are what make this journey so interesting, so rewarding and so enjoyable. 

Here is Chris' post from his Prince Street Terminal blog:

TRACKSIDE WITH…

I remember reading my copy of Eric Gagnon’s first book on VIA Rail in a hotel room in the early morning hours of the day in the company of a friendly mug of hotel coffee, quietly as the sun rose and privately while the city considered how it might start its day. The book had arrived just in time to tag along on a road trip and I remember vividly how exciting it was to leaf through page-after-page of train consist data. I love exploring data. Any data. On the surface “the data” can sound like such a dry and uninteresting commodity yet it comes alive once you spend some time getting to know it. 

The more patiently you listen, the more passionate that once emotionless voice becomes as it rises to tell its story like the breathe that effortlessly becomes a opera. I remember how exciting it was to pick a particular car number and then search through the book to see how often it would appear on that particular train or if it ever appeared on another service. With each reading and then re-reading, I’d discover some new treasure like the many special consists Eric included – who knew that tucked neatly into the pages of a book dedicated to VIA Rail trains I’d find consists belonging to commuter train consists from Montreal or Toronto?!

In the years since that first book was released Eric has continued to tell this story. Where the first book was dedicated entirely to sharing Eric’s listings of train consists the follow-up books have so beautifully built on each preceding volume’s work and each time, contributing once more voice telling the story of VIA Rail’s operations through the eyes of the railfan. And it’s not just Eric, it’s amazing how the books have become a party attended by all the cool kids from the VIA Rail(fan) community.

This spring and purely by chance I found myself in a familiar place. The room changed but the hotel and the city? All old friends together again. With another mug of Cambridge Suites’ finest hotel room coffee in hand I was ready to attend the first pages of Eric’s most recent book. These books work so very well together and many times I find myself pausing so I can excitedly cross-reference an observation from one against a line from the other book. Just as Eric’s inclusion of the commuter train consists felt like a personal treat, this latest book’s chapter on VIA Rail yard operations feels especially special – thank you.

The books represent a truly rich collection of information published on the railway and I consider owning copies, a fortunate privilege. Just as the joy of travel by train is often described as one experienced as much in the destination as in the experience of the travel itself, these books are not simply something to own and have read but to read, to study, and to indulge in.

Thank you for investing in these, Eric, and making them available for us to enjoy. Like watching a trip unfold through the windows of a train car, I’m looking ahead hoping to catch a glimpse of what’s to come.

---Chris

Here is Chris' original post. I'm grateful to Chris for the top photo of VIA 6905 at Montreal with the Renaissance demo cars, which appeared in my second book.

Highball, Chris!

Eric

Great Britain, great review

There are VIA Rail modellers in Canada. Even in the United States. And, Great Britain!

Recently, I was contacted by Peter Bowen, publisher of the The Roundhouse, the Official Publication of the National Model Railroad Association - British Region. This contact came through Edd Fuller,of the fine The Trackside Photographer blog. Peter kindly shared a review he wrote for The Roundhouse. The review highlights VIA Rail, more specifically Trackside with VIA - Research and Recollections, and the review is reproduced above. I enjoyed seeing Peter's photography in the early VIA era among the review text!

Peter kindly put me in touch with Linda Tinker Railway Books, a bookseller specializing in...you guessed it...railway books!

This incredible series of connections clearly shows the global reach of the internet, of blogs, and the incredible interests of the international fraternity of rail enthusiasts. Even those interested in North American modelling, potentially specifically VIA Rail. I'm especially proud to have this connection with the land of Trevithick, of Brunel and of the Rev. W.W. Awdry. The home of trainspotting!

So, rail enthusiasts in Great Britain can buy copies of my books through the above-mentioned bookseller, on their home soil - that green and pleasant land.

Highball!

Eric

Cool on a Hot Day

The latest of several fine Canadian hobby shops to stock my latest book on VIA Rail is Canadian Express Line. Based in Brighton, today's train show in nearby Picton allowed me to make another delivery of a book order in person. Dave Cool was busy with customers when I got to his booth - I gladly 'took a number' to let paying customers get their throttle and magazines, respectively.

It was a hot day, and I found it warm in the arena, but it was cool to be a supplier as well as a customer to Dave. Cool! We agreed that my books on VIA Rail are highly specialized, very detailed and don't necessarily appeal to the 95% of model railroaders at the show. But the 5% inhabiting my particular micro-niche would be more than pleased.

Before I left the show, the books I delivered were priced and for sale, and hopefully heading to hobbyists' bookshelves. They're already on the Canadian Express Line website:

If you're placing an order with Dave, consider adding my latest book to your order.
Highball!
Eric

The Greenlaw-Gagnon-Greenlaw Exchange

The only thing better than talking to one VIAphile is talking to two VIAphiles. I had that pleasant opportunity this afternoon with fellow VIA author Chris Greenlaw stopped by to pick up a copy of my latest book. And brought his Dad, Tom!

Patterned on an earlier exchange, Chris picked up his copy of Trackside with VIA: Research and Recollections, much as he had back in 2012 picking up his copy of Trackside with VIA: Cross-Canada Compendium and Consist Companion. We not only share an interest in VIA books, we both enjoy the creativity and individuality with which we have created ours.

As the blue jays bathed and the leaves rustled, we sat on the patio and talked trains. Tom related his illuminating trip on VIA's Canadian, and is an avid G-scaler. Chris recently completed a cross-Canada road trip with his boys, wisely preserving it online in a Bonjournal blog and is obviously knowledgeable on not only VIA history but also VIA current affairs, foibles of the VIA website, missed business opportunities and their shrinking network.

Tom remembers buying a book from my booth at a Kingston Rail-o-Rama train show a few years ago. This made an initial connection between Chris and me that is still intact!

Chris' seminal MBI book on VIA Rail from 2007 remains THE authoritative history on VIA Rail.

It was great to meet with Chris and Tom!

Highball!
Eric

Free copy?

Trackside Treasure, my main Canadian railway blog, will be celebrating its ninth anniversary soon. As with each anniversary, I mark the occasion with a commemmorative post and a celebratory anniversary contest. This year, the prize will be a free copy of Trackside with VIA - Research & Recollections!

Due to orders received for my earlier three books in VIA, all are currently well-stocked! Thanks to Bryan Babcock of Allan Graphics here in Kingston for the to-the-door delivery!

Highball!

Eric

VIA Prototype Modelling!

When I heard that VIAphile and book contributor Tim Hayman was presenting a VIA Rail session at this weekend's Maritime Prototype Modellers' Meet, I helpfully suggested that he shamelessly plug Trackside with VIA - Research & Recollections or any of my books on VIA Rail, for that matter!

Photographic evidence of the event prove that Tim did just that! The screen shows the magic word 'consists' and Tim holding Trackside with VIA: Cross-Canada Compendium Consist Companion during his presentation. 

The meet also featured Tim's VIA prototype modelling that I was so pleased to showcase in my latest book. Thanks, Tim!

Highball!

Eric

Selling Out?

Professionally-printed, self-published, sold everywhere. My books on VIA Rail are distributed by a very slimmed-down shipping department: my dining room table. Each is packaged and shipped individually. There is no shipping and handling charge. Only actual postage cost, which thankfully has not gone up recently! 

Now that initial customer orders have come in, I'm getting interest from hobby shops that want to sell my book as well. I have absolutely no problem with this. It's all about getting my books out there into enthusiasts' hands. Today, my inbox included the weekly George's Trains e-flyer. It was neat to see one of Toronto's major hobby shops advertising Trackside with VIA - Research & Recollections!

Dealer terms are 40% dealer discount and the dealer pays shipping to their store. More dealer inquiries are coming in, giving customers the choice of ordering the book directly from yours truly, or adding it to their e-commerce cart or stack of stuff they're taking to the checkout in-store.

Either way, I'm happy to see enthusiasts getting healthy doses of both rich recollections and robust research!

Highball!

Eric

Who Likes Trip Accounts? I Do!

Tim Hayman is a valued contributor to Trackside with VIA - Research & Recollections. Not only a knowledgeable VIAphile, Tim actually rides VIA trains! Previously, Tim had posted his excellent trip accounts in an online forum. Now, Tim has sagely started his own blog, in which he includes the same excellent accounts, but with the added value of his photos from each trip.

Tim is seen about to board VIA Business Class car 3477 in Montreal (above).

Prepare to enjoy the ride. All aboard for Tim's Train Travels. En voiture! I've also added Tim's blog to the sidebar of my main Canadian railway blog, Trackside Treasure so I can follow along with his journeys. And you can, too!

Highball!
Eric

CANADA 150 Wraps - The List!

I've been busy fulfilling orders for Trackside with VIA - Research & Recollections. At the same time, I've been scrambling to complete my list of two-sided CANADA 150-wrapped VIA equipment, as the four-month wrap program wraps up (pun intended). As always, click for a larger version. 

I believe this list is unique, and is just the kind of trackside research I've enjoyed putting together in each of my books. 

Enjoy!

Eric

                                      

Will the Circle be Unbroken?

Some things you just cannot predict. When we lived in Lachine, QC we would often travel to the south shore to visit the Canadian Railway Museum at Delson. Dad was a Canadian Railway Historical Association member and had complimentary admission. At the time, the museum was in its formative stages, with much equipment stored outside and pole barns not yet built. My siblings on ties in September, 1964 (above) - no benches, either! I was at home, only a few months old when this photo was taken by my Dad.

Now renamed Exporail at St-Constant, the CRHA has done much to keep the museum improving. Recently, I had a nice email from Mylene Belanger, archivist at Exporail, requesting a complete set of my books for the museum's archives. The books are currently on their way to Exporail!

I think my Dad would be pretty proud to have his son's books in the archives and to see the museum flourishing over fifty years later. Things really do come full circle and the circle is unbroken.

Highball, 

and thanks, Dad!

Eric

First book review!

As soon as I could, I ordered Eric Gagnon's fourth VIA Rail book, "Trackside with VIA: Research and Recollections". Eric had been writing about his upcoming book for a while at his book blog, and my anticipation was growing and growing. Eric is a good salesman!

[Book Creator's note: I'm really pleased to publish Steve's realistic and balanced review. from his long-standing Confessions of a Train Greek blog. Steve has also been a long-standing blog partner on my main Canadian railway blog, Trackside Treasure. Please read on...]

I placed my order and paid via e-transfer (his first!) and in a few days the book arrived in the mail. As requested Eric had signed the interior, and to my surprise it was numbered Copy #001.

Research and Recollections is a soft-cover perfect bound book with 124 pages plus the title page and table of contents page. The book contains a lot of text, as well as numerous small photos (mostly black and white) and a number of tables. This is not a coffee-table picture book, but it is very accessible and easy to read.

After several introductory pages (including a foreword by Tim Hayman and a dedication to the author's father) the book launches into a series of trip reports. These really set the tone for the book and draw the reader into the world of VIA Rail in the 1980s. Eric is a meticulous record keeper and it shows in his stories. The level of detail - what he ate, what he paid for it, for example - is impressive, yet it doesn't detract from the stories. In fact, I would say the details add to the stories and really place you in the moment.

These stories take up about 40% of the book, and include black and white photos related to the stories, as well as several "triVIA" boxes featuring.. well, trivia about VIA Rail.

After the stories are numerous research articles, from vice-regal cars to sleeper car swaps in Winnipeg to the IC3 Flexliner trial, and much more. Maybe the book title should really be Recollections and Research to be in the proper order! These articles are very engaging and each could easily be expanded into a quality magazine article.

Guest contributors Tim Hayman, Don McQueen, Mark Sampson and Mark Perry have their own sections in the book. Maybe in book five Eric might invite a transplanted Easterner to contribute... what do you think? ;)

After the guest contributions follows what is, in my opinion, the weakest part of the book. There are 26 pages of consist information, a full 20% of the book. I know Eric loves consists, and so do many other railfans, but for me that was 26 pages of fast forwarding. Maybe that's why I read the book so fast the first time!

This section is followed by 10 pages of colour photos, six per page. Many are Eric's but other photographers are also represented. Full advantage is taken of the colour to show VIA's many wraps, from Home Hardware VIA 6429 to the Grey Cup train to today's Canada 150 wraps. A huge variety of VIA equipment is shown, including F units, RDCs, the blue and yellow fleet, Renaissance... VIA certainly has had quite a variety!

The final few pages of the book include some reference material and tables to finish it off.

I think by now you can tell that I really like Research and Recollections. The stories at the front really give a good flavour for what travelling on VIA Rail was like in the 1980s, and the many research pieces and photos - especially the colour ones - provide a great deal of deep information on many aspects of VIA past and present. I'm not interested in the consist tables, but I'm sure many people are. Even if those pages were completely blank, I'd still recommend this book!

[So there you have it. Thanks very much, Steve! I now have two projects. The first is to get Steve involved in my next book project. And here's my pledge - Steve will be on page one. (Steve, you heard it here first, my friend!) The second is to get him more interested in the incredibly intensely-interesting intricacies and  importance of train consist information!]

Highball!

Eric

Repeat Customers are Satisfied Customers...

...and this is a repeat customer. Looking back, this purchaser of my latest book not only felt moved to post this to Yahoogroups just now, but also was one of the first 10 purchasers of each of my four books. Thank you Derek Thompson for your kind words about Trackside with VIA: Research & Recollections. 

"I received your book today, Eric, and I see that I am now set for reading material throughout the summer. 

As good as your previous offerings were, this is a cut above that, and already I am having difficulty putting it down. There are several bonuses, not the least of which are photos of Tim Hayman's terrific HO models. 

It is evident that a tremendous amount of effort went into this release and I, for one, am grateful that you took the time. 

I highly recommend the book to anyone with even a passing interest in Canadian passenger rail. Not only is it a treasure trove of information, with a wonderful array of photos, the price is also remarkably low. At about half the outlay for - say, a Morning Sun book (in Canada), it has many times more in value, at least to me. 

Thank you, Eric!"

Highball, Derek! 

Just like the two westbounds waiting to leave Toronto Union! (above)

Eric