Martin Grove Press

                        Over the years many books have been published on the subject of Canadian passenger cars. But this one, which follows the evolution of Canadian passenger cars
                from 1860 to 1920, is different. With its used drawings by Andrew Merrilees, on of Canada's foremost railway historians, and through author Richard McQuade's
                informative text and photos, From Wood to Steel sets a new standard for a historical record of this kind . . .
                         McQuade cleverly cross-references his work through the use of a 'gallery' of drawings and related photos, and through the used of comprehensive appendices
                toward the end of the book . . . It's clear the author did his research for this book. If you have a passion for, or interest in, early Canadian passenger cars, this limited
                edition hardcover, landscape format book needs to be in your library. It's extremely well done.

                Reviewed by Russell Morgan.

                           . . . These drawings have not been available to the public until this publication. . . The book begins with 24 pages of text by Richard McQuade summarizing the evolution of
                passenger cars in Canada from 1860 t o 1920.   Several pages provide some background of the draftsman, Andrew Merrilees, and the technique he used to produce the scale
                drawings from photographs.
                         The following 80 pages contain the drawings made by Merrilees . . . reproduced in HO scale. The cars are presented in alphabetical order by railway name, Each car typically
                has one side elevation of the car, end views and a floor plan. Trucks and lettering are drawn, and the interior layout is shown in most cases. Although only one elevation is shown,
                the floor plan shows the location of the windows on the other side. An HO scale is printed below each drawing, Enough detail is provided on most of the drawings that accurate models
            could be built from the drawings and accompanied photos. . . All of the cars are of wood construction . . . Most types of cars are represented including coaches, sleepers, diners, business,
                head end and self-propelled cars. Many open-vestibule cars are included as well as several self-propelled steam and gas cars. . .
                         The next 54 pages contain 108 black and white photos of the cars represented by the drawings. There are two photos per page, each with an informative caption. Some are builders
                photos while many others show the cars in service later in life, some after rebuilding. The book closes with 24 pages of 14 appendices to assist in crosss-referencing the drawings to the photos
                and provide more data on the cars. . . Various details are listed in the appendices such as the builder, built date, car numbers and names and car features. A bibliography is included.
                          This fascinating book is a reference work that will be of great interest to serious enthusiasts of passenger cars in general and enthusiasts and modellers of Canadian wood passenger cars
                in the period up to 1920.

                            As well as being a Railway Equipment Dealer, Andrew Merrilees was a well-known collector of material on Canadian Railways. Much of his collection now resides with the National
                Archives of Canada in Ottawa. Not infrequently, in both rail related books and magazines, one will come across the credit line indicating the photo was from the Merrilees Collection.
                Along with being a collector Mr. Merrilees was also a draftsman with a penchant for producing drawings of equipment that he liked. These were drawn in O Scale but have been reproduced
                in HO scale in Richard's volume. . .
                            Supplementing the drawings is a series of photographs covering about half of the equipment featured in the drawings. In a number of cases there are several photos of a car throughout
                   its life, which gives a good portrayal of how cars were modified over their existence, since a number ended up as company service cars. For some cars the final form bore little resemblance
                   to the car as built.
                            A good percentage of the equipment is from the CNR or its predecessors so this volume nicely compliments the two CNR volumes published by the Bytown Railway Society. There
                   are over 20 railway lines or car owners represented and along with the CNR include, the Canadian Pacific, Canada Southern, Great Western, and Reid Newfoundland Company to name
                   a few. The book is really well done and useful for either the modeller, or those interested in Canadian passenger equipment.

                   Scale Rails, November 2003, p.16

                       This limited edition introduces a valuable combination of drawings, photos and rosters of Canadian passenger cars. The history of conversion from wooden to steel cars is also provided.
                   About half of the cars were manufactured by American companies including AC&F, Barney & Smith, and Pullman. This is truly a transcontinental collection, featuring passenger rolling stock
                   from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island.

                   Reviewed by Susan Miscio.

Platform view of CPR-Soo Spokane "Fernie" following
its refurbishing for joint CPR-B&M service
on the Montreal-Boston "Redwing".
Photo taken in Montreal, April, 1926. (Author's Coll.)