(The Associated Press circulated the following on June 7.)
PERU, Ind. — He’s been working on the railroad all his live long life, and now a 78-year-old man has written a book reminiscing about his four decades on trains.
Jack Young’s book, “The Life of a Locomotive Engineer: From Steam to Diesel,” includes tales from his 40 years working for the C&O Railroad, along with descriptions of locomotives, light signals and accounts of train crashes. There’s also a glossary of terms in the back for new railroad enthusiasts.
“It was exciting and sometimes humorous and sometimes deadly,” said Young, who lives in Peru and began working for the railroad in 1948 during the changeover from steam to diesel. “Every trip was different. I’d do it all over again if I had the chance.”
Young said he got the idea for the book after being repeatedly asked basic questions about railroading, and after reading one book on the subject, he decided he could do a better book himself.
The autobiographical work covers other aspects of Young’s life, including his service with the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division in Japan.
The book costs $16 and can be ordered at www.trafford.com/06-1238 or (888) 232-4444.