Tag Archives: Locomotives

On the Railroad 150 Years Ago

In February 1869, both the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad were stymied in their race to be first to Ogden, Utah, by fierce snowstorms. In Wyoming, the Union Pacific’s 90-mile line between Rawlins Springs and Laramie was … Continue reading

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

The “Shrine”

My sister, Suzanne Fisher, of Farmington, New Mexico, recently presented me with a framed photograph taken by Philip Boden, of Durango, Colorado, entitled “Baldwin-K36 Class Steam Locomotive.” This photo is of Engine 486 working on the Durango & Silverton Narrow … 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

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

Big Eight-O

This past week I celebrated my eightieth birthday. Many folks sent their good wishes. I extend my thanks to each of you. I want to share a couple of photos from my birthday dinner at Hank’s Fine Steaks & Martinis … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Return of the Original Header

Now that I had a little fun with the header depicting the driving of the golden spike, I’ve decided to return to the original header. The locomotive charging down the tracks better symbolizes the entire sweep of The Iron Horse … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

The First Wild West Show

The first wild west show was a complete surprise to its audience. The incentive for staging that performance was not to sell theatrical tickets. The show was gratuitous. It was a celebration for having won a race—the first race in … Continue reading

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Geography, Golden Spike - Book Three, Indians, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Writing While Cruising

I managed to get in some writing while cruising onboard the Crown Princess this past week. My wife, Barbara, and I embarked from San Pedro harbor in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 3, on a seven-day California Coastal Cruise. We returned to the same harbor on … Continue reading

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