Tag Archives: Trains
A Reader’s Question
Recently a reader asked me why and how I wrote The Iron Horse Chronicles. I decided to share my answer with all the readers of this website. The idea for The Iron Horse Chronicles first came to me in 2006 when … Continue reading
On the Railroad 150 Years Ago
During October 1868, the Union Pacific contract workers, under the direction of General Jack Casement, increased the pace at which they laid track. The typical rate averaged two to three miles per day, occasionally five. On October 26, however, they … Continue reading
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
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
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
The First Intercontinental Railroad 150 Years Ago
The first Union Pacific Railroad train rolled into Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, on November 13, 1867. (Wyoming would not be designated a separate territory until July 25, 1868.) General Grenville M. Dodge, Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific, had selected the … Continue reading
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
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
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
Roundup Magazine Article
I am proud to inform readers of this blog that Roundup Magazine published an article I wrote in the April 2017 issue. The article is entitled: “In 1866, the UP made tracks to the first Wild West Show.” Shown here … Continue reading