How to Print the GNW Handbook

Fellow model railroader John Marlin, who conceived and created the Devils Gulch Line which sadly was lost in a fire, turned me on to this process for printing a handbook with the “long” edge for stapling.

From John:

Ha, yes…getting the handbook to print in the tall format was a bit of a challenge. I spent quite a while figuring out a way to do this. Several others have asked this same question, and I’ve always found it is a bit tricky to explain. So I just recorded a quick video demonstrating how I do this: https://youtu.be/WBREcTkKPzI

Hopefully this video will make it clear what you need to do. Let me know if this is helpful.

John Marlin

I took the steps and transcribed them here:

Steps Summary:

1. Set up pages within Microsoft:
   a. 4.25”x11”
2. PDF Reader: Print to PDF.
   a. Recommends CutePDF
   b. Note: Microsoft Print to PDF will NOT work
   c. PDF printer does not have customizable PDF
3. At CutePDF Print Options: Printer Properties
   a. Go to Advanced Tab
   b. Paper Size
   c. Postscript Custom Paper Size
   d. Enter: 4.25” x 11”
4. Now you should have a PDF with 4.25”x11” pages.
   a. Be sure to check!
5. Now, go to Adobe Reader
   a. Go to print
   b. Go to booklet option
   c. Set up pages for “Left Tall” option, (double sided if you go directly to print)
   d. Print to PDF (so you have the finished PDF “Booklet Ready” format, ready for printing)
6. Print out – Staple Down The Middle

For the “flat” 2 pages per sheet:

1. Print to PDF as 4.25×11.
2. Use CutePDF to print to 2 pages per sheet in a 1×2 arrangement
   (Note: I don’t know a way to print 2 pages per sheet directly to PDF.)