Very good points, John. In fairness, Beebe and Clegg were never really even adequate as historians. Certainly not up to the level of Mr. Chappell, or the other handful of professional historians who happen to do railroad history who came along after them. Beebe & Clegg weren't even up to the accuracy level of the some of the articles in Trains or Railroad from the 1940's and 1950's. However, they helped popularize the hobby, and the narrow guage at a time when railroad enthusiasts were still viewed as somewhat looney, if not downright nuts by most people.
The photography was stunning, and Beebe's purple prose was something of an affectation, an intentional attempt to make himself a proper Edwardian, if not Victorian. Beebe liked a good story, and he effectively gathered the narrow gauge folk lore, and retold it along with his choice of superb graphics, in a manner that made a pleasing combination. the first book sold well enough so that there were others.
As a kid growing up outside Durango in the late 1950's and earluy 1960's, the narrow gauge was a wonder to behold. The Beebe & Clegg books were delightful sources of photos of "my" railroad after we moved out of the area in 1964, and I think Imust have worn out the bindings on all the Beebe & Clegg books in the Boulder Public Library. I also got an adult library card after a few months - the librarians got tired of calling my mother to ask why I was checking out grown-up books on her card instead of the kiddie lit on my juvenile card. But that's another story.
I agree, we owe thanks to Beebe and Clegg for helping to popularize the hobby and the narrow gauge. I would also check any facts in the B&C books against the work of more scholarly writers before taking them as proven information.
Charlie Mutschler
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