What railroad story books do you like?

[JimDep]

I'm always looking for good railroad story books; biographies, non fiction, fiction.

A couple of my long time favorites are the "Ralph of the Roundhouse" series
by Allen Chapman and a biography by Joseph Bromley called " Clear the Tracks!"

The Ralph collection follows the fictitious life of Ralph Fairbanks, who worked his way up from the roundhouse to head dispatcher of the Great Northern Railroad back in the early 1900's. Ralph climbed quickly through the ranks as working in the switch tower, fireman, engineer and dispatcher, including special assignments with the head railroad detective "Bob Adair". Amusing stories plus some technical background based on actual events of the time.

So far, my all time favorite is "Clear the Tracks", a biography following the long railroad career of engineer Joe Bromley on the Lackawanna railroad , between the 1880's and 1940's. I love reading about what railroading was like in that era, plus Bromely had a great sense of humor.

I need some leads on more books!

 

[Tokkyu40]

I think it was called "The Empire Builder: James J. Hill and the Opening of the American West".
I might have a couple of titles tangled together, but it was the story of the man who built the Great Northern Railroad.

Claude

 

[Ferrous]

Story books...I used to really like anything by Bill Pete (Smokey, The Caboose that Got Loose, etc.), that's about all I remember, besides the Thomas stories (used to have the complete collection of original stories).

For more historically-oriented books, my all-time favorite is Birmingham Rails, and I also like Nothing Like it in the World.

 

[K4driver]

The Horseshoe Curve Dennis McILNay
The complete thomas collection
The great Book of trains
Rio grande glory days

 

[dmdrake]

All Aboard with E. M. Frimbo

All Aboard with E. M. Frimbo World's Greatest Railroad Buff by Rogers E. M. Whitaker and Anthony Hiss

His adventures appeared in the New Yorker back in the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's. Compiled in this book, they give you endless hours of railroad pleasure. Mr. E. M. Whitaker is particularly close the the Great Man!

Dave

 

[freightcar2]

I don't know about much, but I love the Railway Series by Wilbert and Christopher Awdry.

 

[tdstead]

More Non Fiction for me ...

Railway Adventure by L.T.C. Rolt.
Subtitle "The Story of the Talyllyn".

Don't know how many times I have read it. Every so often I pick it up and read it again, just a nice story.

Tom

 

[trackplate]

The Signalman
http://gaslight.mtroyal.ca/mugbysgn.htm