Publications

The Society and its predecessors have been publishing information about the Santa Fe since 1969. The Society offers exceptional publications on the history and modeling of the Santa Fe. From its flagship quarterly magazine, The Warbonnet, to its comprehensive books on history, motive power, rolling stock and modeling, the Society is the definitive and authoritative source on all things Santa Fe.

New Publications

Check here for news on the newest books and materials released by the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society!  We are the definitive source for complete, accurate information on the Santa Fe Railway.

  • The Santa Fe in World War II: Contributing to Victory by Robert D. Walz.  This volume is designed to be of interest to several audiences.  For the Santa Fe history buff, it tells the story of an important chapter in Santa Fe history.  For the Santa Fe modeler it provides information critical for those wanting to model the Santa Fe in World War II.  For the military historian it provides a case study of how one railroad contributed to the Allied victory in World War II.  The story of the Santa Fe in World War II includes Santa Fe served military installations, government installations and construction projects, industries that produce material for the military, and industries that support military production.  The book then moves on to focus on the Santa Fe itself.  It first examines the impact of the war on company assets such as personnel, equipment, and infrastructure explaining how the Santa Fe overcame personnel and equipment shortages and bottlenecks caused by its infrastructure.  The book then moves on to Santa Fe’s traffic and operations.  It examines the traffic challenges the Santa Fe overcame.  It discusses the Santa Fe passenger train traffic which increased 12 fold over the prewar level and Santa Fe freight trains which quadrupled over prewar. Next it discusses the four types of military trains, the mixed troop train, passenger troop trains, military freight trains, and hospital trains.  Finally special trains are examined.  The text is illustrated with 13 tables, four appendices, eight maps, a glossary, an index and 198 photos.  Available
  • Santa Fe’s Missouri Division by James A. Brown.  This installment of a series of regional histories published by the Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society examines the Missouri Division of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. The Missouri Division extended westward from Fort Madison, Iowa, to Sheffield, Missouri, on the east side of Kansas City. The St. Joseph District, a branch line that extended northwest from the mainline at Henrietta, Missouri, to St. Joseph, Missouri, is also examined. Historical coverage begins with the planning and building of the line across Missouri and Iowa that occurred from 1883-1888, and extends beyond the consolidation of the Missouri Division with the Illinois Division in 1956, to the merger of the ATSF with the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1995. Included in this volume are over 270 images, tables of data and appendices.  Available.
  • The Santa Fe in Transition:  A PIctorial HIstory by  Ira Silverman. In many ways the Santa Fe’s fame was rooted in a diverse mosaic. Iconic passenger trains, unique advertising and public relations, and even the paint scheme on its diesels made famous by model trains were all part of this tapestry. But by the end of the 1960s all railroads were struggling. The image of the Santa Fe was untouched, but management faced many challenges with the completion of the interstate highway system and the introduction of jet airplanes.  The Santa Fe looked to meet this challenge with intermodal service, the fastest freight train in the world, more powerful locomotives and new signal and telecommunication systems.  Eventually the passenger trains were given to the government, but up to the very end Santa Fe bought new passenger equipment and marketed its services creatively.  This book documents the changes from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. The pictures were all taken by a career railroader who is proud of restoring the “Chief” name to the public eye. Available.
  • [Upcoming] The Atlantic & Pacific (Western Division), Santa Fe Pacific, Albuquerque Division and Their Branches by Garland Lamar Moore.  This is a comprehensive history of the Atlantic & Pacific, its successor the Santa Fe Pacific, and the later Albuquerque Division of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.  It is a collaborative project of the Society and the Arizona Railroad Museum Foundation & Center for Education (ASRMF&CE).  We are looking for help finding original photos originally included in the manuscript.  If you think you can help, please click here to see the missing images.

The Warbonnet

The Society’s flagship quarterly magazine, The Warbonnet, offers lavishly illustrated articles on the history and modeling of the Santa Fe and its affiliated companies. Each issue is at least 40 pages, often more, typically includes articles by noted authors, often accompanied by full color photos, maps and drawings; modeling articles with useful “how to” tips; letters from Society members contributing additional information on past articles, and product reviews. Issued in March, June, September and December of each year. Under its current editor, John R. Signor, The Warbonnet has never missed an issue or a publication window! Members receive The Warbonnet at a discounted rate.

  • To purchase past copies of The Warbonnet, click here
  • To see individual issue indices for The Warbonnet for each year from 1996 to present, click here
  • To see a partial index of all publications of the Society from 1969 to 2001, click here
  • To learn about the evolution of The Warbonnet, click here
  • To learn how to submit an article to The Warbonnet, click here
  • To review Supplemental Material supporting articles in The Warbonnet, click here

Running Extra

The Society’s quarterly newsletter, Running Extra, features Society news to keep members up-to-date on new books, products, minimeets and other aspects of Society operation. It also features the Santa Fe Challenge – an opportunity to test your knowledge of Santa Fe history against other members, Questions and Answers collected from the Society’s forums but judged of general interest, and an ever changing mix of short articles on research, history and employee anecdotes of their lives on the Santa Fe. The Running Extra is typically 8 pages issued quarterly in conjunction with The Warbonnet. Members receive the Running Extra as part of their membership.

The Society Book Project

Each year, the Society strives to bring out one to three books about the history or modeling of the Santa Fe or reprints of significant company documents. The Society has published these books in several series of interest to both railfans and modelers alike. Members receive these books at a discount, typically 20 percent. The major series are:

  • Rolling Stock Reference Series.  This series of eight books provides an overview of Santa Fe work equipment, refrigerator cars, boxcars, tank cars and open top (hopper, flat and gondola) cars.  A supplemental book is the invaluable Listing of Freight Cars by Class and Number 1906-1991.  Future books in this series will cover covered hoppers and gondolas (1959 to present), flats, stacks and autoracks and the Santa Fe’s intermodal equipment.
  • Passenger Car Reference Series.  This series of five books covers the Santa Fe’s head end cars, coaches, chair cars, dining, parlor and beverage cars, business and special purpose cars, and sleepers.  Supplemental materials provide lists of passenger consists.
  • Painting and Lettering Guide Series.  This series of three books aimed at the modeler provides a comprehensive overview of the Santa Fe’s painting and lettering practices over the years.  Volumes are available on freight cars, steam locomotives and diesel locomotives.
  • Regional History Series.  This series of books provides an in-depth look at different sections of the Santa Fe, with a focus on divisional histories and highlights on lines and areas of particular interest.
  • Commodity Series.  This series of books examines the different lines of business that the Santa Fe pursued, with a focus on the interaction of business needs with rolling stock and operational requirements.  Perfect for the general historian or operations oriented modeler.
  • General History Series.  This series of books provides a general overview of Santa Fe operations and history, including personal stories.
  • Reprint Series.  The reprint series reproduces critical documents that help tell the story of the Santa Fe in its own words.  It includes time tables and other materials.

Click here to learn more about the Society’s Book Project and the individual books that comprise each series.
Click here to browse and purchase Society books, and much more!

Supporting the Society’s Publication Efforts

The Society depends upon members, scholars, modelers and interested members of the public to support its publications by sharing manuscripts, photographs and historic documents that bring to light the history and legacy of the Santa Fe and its modeling.  If you can support these efforts please contact:

  • Jonathan Signor, Editor of The Warbonnet
  • Eric Hiser, Editor of Running Extra
  • Robert Walz, Publications Coordinator

Requests for permission to reprint Society materials should be directed to Eric Hiser.