Don Strack's Print Publications
Index For This Page
This page was last updated on March 3, 2024.
Books
Bingham Canyon Railroads
(Arcadia Publishing, 2011) ('Images of Rail' Series)
Railroads and mining in Bingham Canyon have gone hand in hand since the first railroad was constructed into the canyon in late 1873. Bingham Canyon in the early years was a gold and silver mining camp, and the railroads were small operations. Copper mining took hold in the late 1890s and the mines, mining companies, and the railroads that served them expanded rapidly. Bingham Canyon soon became the largest and richest mining district in the western United States and was the source for as much as a third of the copper mined in the nation. A variety of locomotives worked in the canyon, including a small number of Shay locomotives, several large articulated steam locomotives, and the nation's largest roster of electric locomotives. The last Bingham Canyon ore train ran in late 2001. While the railroad tracks have been removed, the mine itself is very much in full production and remains the source for 25 percent of the nation's copper production. (ISBN 9 78-0-7385-8489-4) (Front Cover) (Back Cover)
The Bingham Canyon Railroads book can be ordered either directly from Arcadia).
Ogden Rails, A History of Railroading At The Crossroads Of The West
(Union Pacific Historical Society, 2005)
The Union Pacific Historical Society and Don Strack collaborated to republish Don's Ogden Rails book of 1997 in a new and considerably expanded and redesigned format. Compared to the original a 96-page vertical format, soft cover book, which is sold out, the new edition is a 172 pages, hard-cover in a 11 inches by 8-1/2 inches horizontal format. It contains 216 photographs, with 72 in color, along with 24 maps, including a double-page full color map of the Ogden facilities in 1969. The book also has a bibliography and index.
Ogden Rails is the history of the railroads in Ogden, Utah from 1869 to today. It starts with the early Union Pacific and associated feeder railroads, the Utah Central, Utah Northern and Oregon Short Line. The Central Pacific and Southern Pacific are covered as well as the Denver and Rio Grande Western and Ogden Union Railway and Depot Company. Union Pacific coverage continues through the mergers to the current day activities. Coverage is also included of the electric and interurban railroads, the Bamberger and Utah Idaho Central, until their shut down following World War II. The Utah State Railroad Museum at Ogden Union Station is also presented in photos and text. (ISBN 1-932704-04-3)
Available from better hobby shops and booksellers everywhere, or direct from UPHS, P.O. Box 4006, Cheyenne, WY 82003-4006; $52.95 plus $4.00 shipping. (ISBN 1-932704-04-3)
Diesels of the Union Pacific, The Classic Era, Volume II
(Withers Publishing Co., 2005)
The second volume of the most complete roster/pictorial book published to date about Union Pacific's diesel locomotive fleet. This two-volume set covers builder's data and dispositions for each unit in UP's diesel-electric and turbine locomotives, as well as a varied selection of photographs detailing each model, from the early Pullman articulated trains and early EMC E units and giant GE-built gas turbines to the varied EMD SD40-2 fleet that moved transcontinental freight into the 1980s.
This book has 176 pages; 257 black and white photographs; 73 color photographs; 12-page summary of Union Pacific diesel locomotive paint schemes and lettering for the 1934-1982 era; abbreviated bibliography; four-page summary of road numbers, with years in service; 129-page unit-by-unit roster of Union Pacific diesel locomotives numbered from 1000 to 903999. (ISBN 1-881411-29-X)
Volume I covers from steam turbines 1 and 2 to EMD E7A number 999.
Cabooses of the Union Pacific Railroad
(Union Pacific Historical Society, 2002)
By Don Strack and Jim Ehernberger
A full history of Union Pacific's caboose fleet, including coverage of the road's wooden cabooses and steel cabooses. The book also covers UP's other cabooses, such as Roadway (manitenance of way) and transfer cabooses. Full coverage is given to the paint schemes used, as well as comparison of physical features on both the wooden designs and steel designs. The book also includes a full number by number roster of all of UP's known cabooses, and all of the known locations of donated and sold cabooses. (ISBN 0-9720004-1-0)
Union Pacific Locomotive Directory 2000
(Withers Publishing Company, 2000)
A photo-illustrated roster listing of each of the 6,841 locomotives (and their unit histories) owned or operated by Union Pacific Railroad during 1999 including the merged locomotive fleets of Southern Pacific, Cotton Belt, D&RGW, and Chicago and North Western. (ISBN 1-881411-26-5)
Diesels of the Union Pacific, 1934-1982, The Classic Era, Volume I
(Withers Publishing Co., 1999)
The first volume of the most complete roster/pictorial book published to date about Union Pacific's diesel locomotive fleet. This two-volume set covers builder's data and dispositions for each unit in UP's diesel-electric and turbine locomotives, as well as a varied selection of photographs detailing each model, from the early Pullman articulated trains and early EMC E units and giant GE-built gas turbines to the varied EMD SD40-2 fleet that moved transcontinental freight into the 1980s.
This book has 224 pages; 308 black and white photographs; abbreviated bibliography; 14-page 1934-1982 timeline of Union Pacific diesel locomotives; four-page summary of road numbers, with years in service; four-page summary of locomotive model quantities; 40-page history of Union Pacific dieselization; 153-page unit-by-unit roster of Union Pacific diesel and turbine locomotives numbered from 1 to 999. (ISBN 1-881411-24-9)
Volume I covers from steam turbines 1 and 2 to EMD E7A number 999.
Volume II covers from EMC NW2 number 1000 to GE 44-ton 903999.
Union Pacific Locomotive Directory 1999
(Withers Publishing Company, 1999)
A photo-illustrated roster listing of each of the 6,429 locomotives (and their unit histories) owned or operated by Union Pacific Railroad during 1998, including the merged locomotive fleets of Southern Pacific, Cotton Belt, D&RGW, and Chicago and North Western. (ISBN 1-881411-21-4)
Union Pacific Locomotive Directory 1998
(Withers Publishing Company, 1998)
A photo-illustrated roster listing of each of the 6,515 locomotives (and their unit histories) owned or operated by Union Pacific Railroad during 1997, including the merged locomotive fleets of Southern Pacific and Chicago and North Western. (ISBN 1-881411-16-8)
Ogden Rails: A History of Railroads in Ogden, Utah From 1869 to Today
(Don Strack, 1997)
A fully researched history, with numerous photographs, documenting the development of railroads in Ogden, Utah, including Union Pacific, Central Pacific, Southern Pacific, Ogden Union Railway and Depot Co., and Denver and Rio Grande Western. Also covered are Bamberger, Utah Idaho Central, and Ogden's street railroads, along with Ogden's Utah State Railroad Museum. Included is information about Ogden's major rail-served industries, such as the Ogden Union Stock Yards, the largest stock handling facility west of Denver, and sugar beets, canneries, and grain elevators. Author acted as publisher. Fully funded by a $20,000 grant from the Eccles Foundation.
8-1/2 inches by 11 inches; perfect bound softcover; 96 pages; color covers; 102 black and white photos; six black& white maps; one 11 inches by 30-1/2 inches color foldout map. (No ISBN)
Sold out in 1999; out of print. (Reprinted as an expanded edition by Union Pacific Historical Society in 2005.)
Union Pacific Switchers and Slugs
(Withers Publishing Company, 1996)
A expanded compilation of previously published magazine articles about UP's EMD switcher fleet, from the NW2s to the most current MP15ACs, with additional material on Union Pacific's ALCo, Baldwin, Fairbanks-Morse switchers, and yard slugs and other hump yard power. 116 pages; 238 black and white photos; 37 color photos; full rosters of all of UP's EMD, Alco, Baldwin, and GE switchers, plus its yard slugs and road slugs. (ISBN 1-881411-11-7)
Diesels Of The Chicago and North Western
(Withers Publishing Company, 1995)
By Paul Withers, Roster by Don Strack
A complete review, with photographs and roster data, of C&NW's diesel locomotive fleet, from 1926 to 1994. (ISBN 1-881411-07-0)
Utah History Encyclopedia
(University of Utah Press, 1994)
Contributed the articles about "Railroads In Utah" and "Utah's Canning Industry".
(Originally published in Utah History Encyclopedia, University of Utah Press, 1994, ISBN 0-87480-425-6, pages 67-70 and pages 450-455)
(Read the online version of the Railroads In Utah article; as part of the online Utah History Encyclopedia)
(Read the online version of the Utah's Canning Industry article; as part of the online Utah History Encyclopedia)
The Community Of Syracuse, 1820-1995, Our Heritage
(Syracuse Historical Commission, 1994)
A book about Syracuse, Utah. Contributed an article about the "The Syracuse Railroad Spur" and majority portions of articles about "Syracuse Cannery", "The Sugar Beet Industry", and "A New Canning Factory".
Union Pacific 1992 Annual
(Hyrail Productions, 1993)
A photo-illustrated review and roster listing of Union Pacific's locomotive fleet, between 1980 and 1992, along with current operations during 1992. (ISBN 0-9628699-3-7)
Union Pacific 1990
(Withers Publishing, 1991)
By Paul Withers and George Cockle, Roster by Don Strack
A photo-illustrated review and roster listing of Union Pacific's locomotive fleet in 1990. Don Strack contributed all locomotive roster and history information. (ISBN 0-9618503-8-8)
Faith, Hope and Prosperity
(Tintic Historical Society, 1982)
A history of the Tintic Mining District in central Utah. Contributed an article about "Railroads Of the Tintic District". This is where Union Pacific ran their unique Shay locomotives.
Book projects in preparation
(There is always more to add on any project, which is why doing a web site works so well for me. I'd love to do a book about the railroads in and around Salt Lake City, or a full history of the pioneering efforts of Brigham Young and the railroads of Utah. But in reality, I doubt that such projects will ever see publication, other than in the form of loosely associated web pages.)
Utah Fuels The West: Utah Coal Mines and Railroads, 1845-1995 (Publisher unknown; publication date unknown) -- A fully researched history of the development of coal mining and railroads in the state of Utah, from 1845 to today. With lots of photos and maps.
To Move A Mountain: Mining and Railroads in Utah's Bingham Canyon (Publisher unknown; publication date unknown) -- A fully researched history of the development of mining and railroads in Bingham Canyon, Utah, from 1872 to today. With lots of photos and maps.
Utah Rails (Publisher unknown; publication date unknown) -- A fully researched history of railroad development in Utah, from 1868 to today. With lots of photos and maps.
Salt Lake City Rails (Publisher unknown; publication date unknown) -- A fully researched history covering all of the railroads and rail-served industries in Salt Lake City, Utah. With lots of photos and maps.
Brigham Young and the Railroads (Publisher unknown; publication date unknown) -- A fully researched history of the relationship between Brigham Young and the early railroads in Utah, from 1862 to 1877. With lots of photos and maps.
Magazine Articles
(Note: The Streamliner is the publication of the Union Pacific Historical Society, published quarterly.)
"Union Pacific's B-17 -- The Rest of the Story", The Streamliner, Volume 24, Number 3 (Summer 2010) (Read the updated article; including some information not in the magazine article.)
"A Guide To Union Pacific Diesel Locomotive Painting and Lettering" Part 2: 1980-Present, The Streamliner, Volume 22, Number 2 (Spring 2008) (with Dick Harley)
"A Guide To Union Pacific Diesel Locomotive Painting and Lettering" Part 1: 1934-1980, The Streamliner, Volume 22, Number 1 (Winter 2008) (with Dick Harley)
"Union Pacific's Parade Trains," The Streamliner, Volume 21, Number 3 (Summer 2007)
"SP Locomotive Rebuild Programs, 1970-1989" SP Trainline, Issue Number 91 (Spring 2007) (Southern Pacific Historical and Technical Society) The article includes a full year-by-year summary of the rebuild programs, along with a full unit-by-unit listing of all 1068 units rebuilt. Also included is a summary of SP's Locomotive Data Books.
"Open-Top Observation Cars," The Streamliner, RPO (Letters To The Editor), Volume 20, Number 4 (Fall 2006)
"Union Pacific's DDA40X Centennial Locomotives" The Streamliner, Volume 21, Number 1 (Winter 2007)
"Union Pacific and Scotchlite" The Streamliner, co-authored with Dick Harley, Volume 20, Number 1 (Winter 2006)
"Union Pacific's New Yellow Stripe" The Streamliner, Volume 19, Number 4 (Fall 2005)
"The Aspen And Altamont Tunnels," The Streamliner, Volume 19, Number 4 (Fall 2005) (with John Signor, Jim Ehernberger and Andy Kirol)
"UP's Tintic Subdivision" "The story of UP's Shay locomotives, and the LA&SL Tintic Subdivision where they worked." The Streamliner, Volume 19, Number 3 (Summer 2005) (Read the updated article; including some information not in the magazine article.)
"U50," The Streamliner, RPO (Letters To The Editor), Volume 18, Number 4 (Fall 2004)
"East To Wahsatch, Union Pacific in Utah's Weber and Echo Canyons" The Streamliner, Volume 17, Number 3 (Summer 2003) (Read the updated article; including some information not in the article.)
"Union Pacific's DDA40X Centennials" Diesel Era, Volume 13, Number 6 (November/December 2002)
"Cache Junction, Utah, in the 1940s" The Streamliner, Volume 16, Number 4 (Fall 2002)
"Union Pacific's Park City (Utah) Branch" The Streamliner, Volume 15, Number 2 (Spring 2001)
"HO Scale F-M Erie-built" The Streamliner, Volume 15, Number 2 (Spring 2001)
"Union Pacific's Fairbanks-Morse Erie-builts" The Streamliner, Volume 15, Number 1 (Winter 2001)
"Union Pacific DD35s" Diesel Era, Volume 12, Number 1 (January/February 2001)
"Union Pacific SD45s, Diesel Era, Volume 11, Number 2 (March/April 2000) (with Steve Orth)
"Union Pacific's EMD GP30s" Diesel Era, Volume 10, Number 2 (March/April 1999)
"HO Scale GP30" The Streamliner, Volume 13, Number 2 (Spring 1999)
"Union Pacific's AS-616s" The Streamliner, Volume 12, Number 4 (Fall 1998)
"The MoPac/UP C36-7 Fleet" Diesel Era, Volume 9, Number 4 (July/August 1998)
"Salt Lake City Diesel Shop" The Streamliner, Volume 12, Number 2 (Spring 1998)
"Union Pacific's Fast Forties" Diesel Era, Volume 9, Number 1 (January/February 1998)
"Union Pacific Motive Power Summary" Diesel Era, Volume 8, Number 5 (September/October 1997)
"Union Pacific GE Dash 8 Locomotives" The Streamliner, Volume 11, Number 2 (1997)
"Omaha GP20s: Union Pacific's GP9 Turbocharging Program" Diesel Era, Volume 7, Number 6 (November/December 1996) Reprint of previous article that appeared in UPHS Streamliner.
"Chicago and North Western GP7s and GP9s" Diesel Era, Volume 7, Number 2 (March/April 1996)
"Union Pacific Late EMD Switchers" Diesel Era, Volume 6, Number 4 (September/October 1995)
"Union Pacific Switchers - Part 3, The SW10s" Diesel Era, Volume 6, Number 2 (May/June 1995)
"Union Pacific Early EMD Switchers - Part 2, SW7s and SW9s" Diesel Era, Volume 6, Number 2 (March/April 1995)
"Union Pacific Early EMD Switchers - Part 1, The NW2" Diesel Era, Volume 6, Number 1 (January/February 1995)
"Rock Island's Union Pacific-financed GP40s" Diesel Era, Volume 4, Number 5 (August/September 1993)
"Union Pacific's F-units" Diesel Era, Volume 2, Number 6 (November/December 1991)
"Omaha GP20s" The Streamliner, Volume 4, Number 3 (November 1988)
"Bamberger 570/Union Pacific 1270" Railroad Model Craftsman; Volume 57, Number 6 (November 1988)
"Union Pacific Railroad All Time Roster, Parts I through V" Extra 2200 South, Issue 67 (January-February-March 1979) through Issue 71 (January-February-March 1980) (PDF; 35 pages; 39.9MB)
Book Reviews
Tale of the Lucin: A Boat, a Railroad and the Great Salt Lake. Published in Utah Historical Quarterly, Volume 69, Number 4, Fall 2001, page 360 (Read the text of the book review)
Lectures
"Railroads and Mining in Utah", May 11, 2019, annual convention of Union Pacific Historical Society, Ogden, Utah
"Railroads and Mining in Utah", 2012-2014, University of Utah, School of Mining, History of Mining in Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah (November 7, 2012; November 4, 2013; November 10, 2014)
"Railroading In Utah", October 10, 2009, Keynote Speaker, 2009 Annual Historical Symposium, Sons of Utah Pioneers, Salt Lake City, Utah
"Ogden Railroads", July 27, 2004, annual convention of Union Pacific Historical Society, Ogden, Utah
"In Graceful Form: Kennecott's Utah Copper and Nevada Northern Railroads", November 5, 1991, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah
"Union Pacific in Utah", August 11 and 12, 1988, annual convention of the Union Pacific Historical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah
"Railroads of Utah", July 1986, annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Region, National Model Railroad Association, Salt Lake City, Utah
"Railroads of Utah", January 1984, monthly meeting of the Wasatch Division, National Model Railroad Association, Salt Lake City, Utah
Interviews
"Promontory" Interviewed by Ken Verdoia on September 8, 2001 during the production of his documentary that answered the question, "Why wasn't Brigham Young at Promontory on May 10, 1869?" The program was first broadcast on KUED (PBS), Channel 7 in Salt Lake City on May 7 and May 10, 2002. (Read a transcript of the interview)
###