Men of the Steel Rails by James H. Ducker
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
This book was part of my research for A Not So Peaceful Journey, Book 3 in my “Second Chances” series. My characters take a train journey from Ohio to Oakland, California, in 1884. On the last leg of their journey, they rode in Palace cars.
This book was especially helpful for learning about the jobs of the train crews and engine crews and were scattered at 100-mile intervals. At division points they had repair crews, blacksmiths, machinists, and painters.
Clerks, train dispatchers, flagmen, baggagemen, and switchmen were a few of the jobs needed at train depots.
An engineer, a conductor, a fireman, and two brakemen made up the typical train crew.
This book provided wonderful details like these and I believe this book would appeal to those desiring to learn more about train travel.
