Category Archives: Iron Horse Chronicles’ Characters

On the Railroad 150 Years Ago

In September 1868 both the Union Pacific and Central Pacific had departed the high mountains and were building across relatively level but difficult terrain. In Wyoming, the UP worked to cross the Red Desert between the two continental divides—one west … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Geography, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On the Railroad 150 Years Ago

One hundred fifty years ago, in August 1868, the Union Pacific Railroad’s tracks in Wyoming extended almost seven hundred miles west from Omaha, Nebraska. End of track was now thirty miles beyond the new bridge over the North Platte River … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Awards, Central Pacific, Geography, Indians, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, Stagecoaches, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On the Railroad 150 Years Ago

One hundred fifty years ago, one of the most significant events in the construction of the first transcontinental railroad took place. The incident did not involve the physical laying of any track, but it influenced the final work on the … Continue reading

Posted in Army, Bear Claws - Book Two, Geography, Indians, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Writing a Historical Trilogy

“Writing a Historical Trilogy” is the title of an article I wrote for the Spring 2018 issue of WriteRiders, the quarterly newsletter of the Nevada chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Link to the article (it’s on … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Awards, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Railroad History Reviews Golden Spike

Railroad History reviewed Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicle–Book Three, in its Fall-Winter 2017 issue. Robert Butler wrote the review. Mr. Butler reviewed Eagle Talons and Bear Claws in previous issues of Railroad History. One of his closing sentences in … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Review, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Historical Novel Society Reviews Golden Spike

The Historical Novel Society published a review this month of Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Three. Jess Westerhoff provided the review and states in part, “It’s well-researched and has an exciting conclusion.” You can read the entire review here: … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Iron Horse Chronicles Trilogy Complete

The Iron Horse Chronicles trilogy is complete. I have received finished, hard-bound copies of the third book, Golden Spike. Five Star Publishing will release the book officially on July 19, 2017. As usual, they have produced a first-class product. I … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, Museums and Parks, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Union Pacific’s “Great Race to Promontory” Website

The Union Pacific Railroad has produced a website entitled “Great Race to Promontory” as part of their extensive celebration of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad nearly one hundred fifty years ago. Here is a link to the site: … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Geography, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trilogy Approaching Completion

With the Iron Horse Chronicles trilogy approaching completion, I have changed the header on this website. For the past couple of years, Union Pacific’s Engine 119 has been approaching Promontory Summit in Utah from a distance. On July 19, 2017, Golden … Continue reading

Posted in Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Golden Spike Available for Pre-Order

Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Three, is now available for pre-order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can select the tabs in the right-hand sidebar of this website to go to the respective Robert Lee Murphy page and select Golden … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Review, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment