Railway Directory 1998, Book and CD-ROM
Marking the next stage of Railway Directory’s transformation to an information tool for the electronic age, the 1998 edition is available on CD-ROM, as well as in book format.
The CD-ROM gives the user the same wealth of information and statistics as the book, together with powerful inquiry tools. A simple search screen enables the user to select topics of interest - such as shortlines in North America, the world’s metre-gauge networks, or light rail vehicle manufacturers. Search modes include country, type of railway, product or job function (with mailing list facility) - giving fast access to data which previously required hours of research. Maps, many in colour, are available for most countries and can be viewed and enlarged. There is also a searchable Railway Gazette International index covering issues between January 1995 and October 1997, and the World Bank database as featured in Rail Business Report 1998.
The 1998 book has 548 pages with information and statistics on 1400 railways, 14000 personnel, nearly 400 city transport operators, and 2100 suppliers. A further 20 colour maps are included this year, bringing the total to 32, including whole-page versions of Ukraine, the Baltic States, and Argentina.
Book £105 (Europe) £115/US$190 (rest of world). CD-ROM £295 (Europe) £305/US$500 (rest of world). Book + CD-ROM £350 (Europe) £360/US$600 (rest of world) from Esco, PO Box 935, Finchingfield, Essex, CM74LN, Great Britain .
Fax: +44 1371 811065
NaTaBu ’98
The main change in the 38th edition of this directory of the German public transport industry is a rise in the number of consultants entries to nearly 250. The number of entries for transport operators remains fairly static compared with the previous edition, as does the personnel listing.
DM118 from Alba Fachverlag, Willstätterstra§e 9, D-40549 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Fax: +49 211 520 1358
China by Rail
This very handy guide will be priceless for anyone visiting China and its burgeoning railway network. Though compact, it contains a wealth of rail travel, practical and tourist information. Possibly the most helpful page of all is tucked away at the back; a copiable unofficial railway ticket booking form, written in Chinese, for the user to hand in at a ticket office. There are plans of 36 cities, km-by-km guides to key routes, 54 maps and 28 colour photos, as well as sample timetables for major links.
ú11·95 from Trailblazer Publications, The Old Manse, Tower Road, Hindhead, Surrey, GU266SU, Great Britain.
Fax: +44 1428 607571
Swiss Railways Locomotives, Railcars & Trams
The second edition of this guide to the fleets of Switzerland’s rail operators is divided into sections covering SBB and private railways. A brief historical background is followed by fleet technical features and listing. Section five treats Swiss tram systems. The 180-page book is liberally illustrated with good quality colour photos, and includes a full colour network map differentiating between standard and narrow gauge, and allowing simple location of each operator’s routes.
ú13·50 from Platform 5 Publishing, 3 Wyvern House, Sark Road, Sheffield S24HG, Great Britain.
Fax: +44 114 255 2471
