Railroad Trains

The fast-paced and gripping true account of the extraordinary construction and spectacular demise of the Key West Railroad—one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken, destroyed in one fell swoop by the strongest storm ever to hit U.S. shores. In 1904, the brilliant and driven...

America was made by the railroads. The opening of the Baltimore & Ohio line—the first American railroad—in the 1830s sparked a national revolution in the way that people lived thanks to the speed and convenience of train travel. Built through heroic effort, the American railroad network was bigger in every sense than Europe's, and facilitated everything from long-distance travel to commuting and transporting goods to waging war. It united far-flung parts of the country, boosted economic development, and was the catalyst for America's rise to world-power status.

Michael Gillespie applies his generous wit, dry humor, and historical insights to the school of railroading literature at the height of the steam era. Personal journals, press reports, and trade magazines all produced stories meant at the time to entertain readers… but which today offer a compelling folk history from the early days of railroads. 350 pages of railroad stories... with editorial introductions and commentary, dozens of historic photos, and a complete railroad glossary... make "OLD TIME RAILROAD STORIES" a true collector’s edition! Michael is also the author of two of the ...

Welcome to the comprehensive guide that bridges the gap between traditional DC model railroading and modern DCC systems. This book serves as your practical companion in understanding, building, and maintaining contemporary model railroad layouts. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start your journey or an experienced modeler ready to embrace digital control, you’ll find detailed guidance on electrical fundamentals, system transitions, and cutting-edge automation techniques. With dual measurement standards throughout and up-to-date brand recommendations, this guide empowers you to make...

The author begins with a discussion on the operation of unit trains of all types, including details pertinent to model railroaders as well as those interested in prototypical railroad operation and routing. The book then segues into a collection of true railroad short stories, spanning a period from 1920 through the current days covering many phases of railway employment with a major focus on train operation and railroad management. Stories primarily cover the Midwest; but also a number of stories on the California desert and in the Pacific Northwest.

Tom Zoellner loves trains with a ferocious passion. In his new audiobook he chronicles the innovation and sociological impact of the railway technology that changed the world, and could very well change it again. From the frigid Trans-Siberian Railroad to the antiquated Indian Railways to the futuristic maglev trains, Zoellner offers a stirring story of man's relationship with trains. Zoellner examines both the mechanics of the rails and their engines and how they helped societies evolve. Not only do trains transport people and goods in an efficient manner, but they also reduce pollution and dependency upon oil.

Eric Stathers knew the Pacific Great Eastern Railway all too well. In the 1920s and 30s, the PGE was a struggling, backwoods railway if ever there was one, and it presented endless challenges to those whose job it was to keep it running. Eric was Car Foreman at the railway's Squamish shops and he was often called out with his crew to recover wrecked locomotives, cars and equipment all along the tough and mountainous line between Squamish and Lillooet, British Columbia. Heavy rain, snow, rock slides, collapsed bridges, washouts and floods were all too frequent occurrences. Not only that, but...

The fast-paced and gripping true account of the extraordinary construction and spectacular demise of the Key West Railroad—one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken, destroyed in one fell swoop by the strongest storm ever to hit U.S. shores. In 1904, the brilliant and driven...

Enter the enchanting world of Model Railroad Mastery, your indispensable guide to creating a miniature empire that defies the confines of space. This comprehensive eBook unveils the secrets of building a captivating model railroad, regardless of the room you have at your fingertips. Embark on a journey through the fundamentals of small-scale model railroading, where you'll start with understanding the nuances of scale and gauge. Then thread the needle of crafting balanced layouts that radiate beauty while maintaining full functionality. Delve deeply into the esoteric art of space ...

Named one of the "75 People You Should Know" by Trains Magazine, Jim McClellan was a railroading legend and one of the railroad industry’s titans. An iconic and innovative executive, McClellan participated in the creation of both Amtrak and Conrail and worked for the Norfolk Southern, the New York Central, US Railway Association, and the Federal Railroad Administration. My Life with Trains combines a world-class photographer’s love of railroading with the insights of a government and railroad official.

Watch the landscapes shift as travelers board and disembark a train in this Audible Sleep story told by John Stamos. Travel through cities and over shimmering waters reflecting the moon, enjoying the steady chug of the train’s engine as you drift off to sleep.

John Brown and the Last Train is the story of John Brown and his last raid on Missouri slave farms and the subsequent trip north to Canada. Along the way, a baby was born to a Freedom Seeker and they fought in the Battle of the Spurs. They received help from the major UGR Stations in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. Famous detective, Allan Pinkerton helped them get across to Canada. This is historical fiction based on factual events and told through the voices of the Freedom Seekers.

“I can't die but once!” This was the rallying cry of Harriet Tubman, the most famous conductor in the history of the Underground Railroad. Her name is legendary, but many don’t know Harriet’s full story. The Tubman Train starts with her dramatic early years, including the pivotal day when she began having visions from God—visions of flying North. The story follows Harriet through her own escape in 1849 and the beginning of her work as the “She-Moses,” culminating in the dramatic attempt to rescue her brothers. The Tubman Train is the first novel to explore the complicated ...

The transcontinental railroads of the late 19th century were the first corporate behemoths. Their attempts to generate profits from proliferating debt sparked devastating panics in the US economy. Their dependence on public largess drew them into the corridors of power, initiating new forms of corruption. Their operations rearranged space and time, and remade the landscape of the West. As wheel and rail, car and coal, they opened new worlds of work and ways of life.  

Author Geletzke has compiled a collection of 81 short stories (and 35 b&w photos), all about the railroad, and all true. Written in the style of one of his favorite authors (O. Henry) with their suspenseful endings, these selections will keep the reader right on the edge of his or her seat right to the end! Mr. Geletzke retired in 2011 from a 45-year railroad career; but actually got his start as a small child riding steam locomotives, switching the coal yards at the end of his block. While Mr. Geletzke has written most of these stories, many too have been written or told by his friends and...

All aboard! The Story of Railroads: How Trains Connected the World – A Guide for Curious Kids is a warm and engaging journey through the history of trains, written especially for young readers ages 6–8. With simple prose, friendly explanations, and gentle black-and-white sketches, this book brings to life the incredible story of how trains changed the world. From the earliest wooden mine carts to today’s sleek high-speed trains, children will discover how railroads helped people explore new places, share ideas, and stay connected across long distances. Perfect for early readers, ...

In one of the most inventive travel books in years, Ina Caro invites listeners on 25 one-day train trips that depart from Paris and transport us back through 700 years of French history. Whether taking us to Orléans to evoke the visions of Joan of Arc or to the Place de la Concorde to witness the beheading of Marie Antoinette, Caro animates history with her lush descriptions of architectural splendors and tales of court intrigue. "[An] enchanting travelogue" (Publishers Weekly), Paris to the Past has become one of the classic guidebooks of our time.

This is the second book in the Willy Clutterbuck series. Willy is one of those kids that we all remember being. A child from the time when children had the freedom to be adventurers and were allowed to grow up without the aid of the Xbox or reality shows. He is from a time where your mother would dismiss you for the day and tell you to be home before 6.30pm and she wouldn't worry herself sick about what might happen. Those days have gone and not because the world has changed that much, but because we are now, I believe, obsessed with safety and crime. Not that, that's wrong, of course not. ...

Author, Chuck Geletzke began railroading at the age of two. "Once the 'railroad bug' bit me that was all I ever wanted to do!" Just prior to beginning college I commenced a career in the railroad industry that expanded to 45-years. Fortunately, throughout that entire span of time I recorded copious notes...how many people do you know that can document every minute of their entire working career!?! Following retirement, Mr. Geletzke began recording and publishing all of those notes and stories for those of you who, too, love trains to read and enjoy. Along with his own stories he had ...

Underground Railroad Poems: There’s a Train a ‘Comin, by author Reneé Drummond-Brown, is a historic ride from the West Congo’s, to down South and onto the Uppity North, on the eastside of town. This melancholy poetic account carries loads of heavy freight and provides easy access to major attractions such as: Africa, slavery, “The Civil Rights Movement” and this so-called thing some call “freedom.” While Moses had the vision to make it plain, Harriet Tubman laid the groundwork for author Drummond-Brown’s mission, to network literature that needs to extend globally ...