Last Train to Texas

Journalist Fred Frailey has written for Trains magazine for more than 40 years. He has authored five other railroad books, including Twilight of the Great Trains, Southern Pacific's Blue Streak Merchandise, and Rolling Thunder (with Gary Benson).

"Fred Frailey has produced a marvelous collection of railroad stories, all told by a true train buff in a unique style that describes railroading perfectly. Whether a trip through the snow on the Canadian Pacific, or watching Amtrak's Eddie DeBasky dispatch trains in and out of Manhattan at rush hour or taking a ride on the Florida East Coast's 101, Frailey captures it all. "—Rush Loving, author of The Well-Dressed Hobo"Fred Frailey has spent his entire career dissecting the business side of railroading and this volume contains his most insightful works about what makes American railroads tick. In short, it's a retrospective on the industry in the last forty years. "—Thomas Hoback, Founder, President and CEO, Indiana Rail Road (Retired)"Last Train to Texas depicts modern railroading, warts and all, though a fascinating amalgam of stories. Readers finish understanding Frailey's love of railroading because of the breadth of his narratives."—Mark Lardas, The Daily News Galveston"...a terrific read, a collection of short, snappy essays that mirror Fred's ceaseless curiosity about not only the business of railroading, but more importantly its people."—Kevin Keefe, Trains Magazine"This book is more than just about a rail line re-birth in Nowheresville, Texas. Rather, it is an outstanding anthology of 46 short stores compiled by Fred Frailey recounting his rail adventures over the past four decades. The author's writing style is contemporary, straightforward, and entertaining with its clever wit."—David J Mrozek, The Michigan Railfan"...this book is a pleasent diversion, perfect for pool-side reading. Longtime followers of Fred W. Frailey will want to read this book."—Bill Hough, The NRHS Bulletin

• Foreword by Thomas G. HobackPart I: Running the Railroads1. President Carter to the Rescue2. The Man You Never Wanted to Cross3. Watch Rob Run4. Thinking Outside the Container5. The World According to Mcclellan6. The Saga of 'Pisser Bill'7. A Man in Full8. Mike Haverty's Long Shadow9. How to Go Boots Up in Railroading10. The Battles of Powder River11. When Lou Menk Saved a Zephyr12. Inside the Mind of Michael Ward13. The Legacy of Hunter Harrison14. A Battle for Supremacy in the WestPart II: Travels around Trains15. The Cocoon of a Long-Distance Train16. No Place for Man or Beast . . . or Train17. The Ladies from Cork Are Aghast18. Crossing the Country in a Blur19. Ode to a Coach Yard20. By Train to the End of the Earth21. Pencil-Whipping Train 10122. I Plead the Fifth23. My Prestigious Experience24. The Late, Late Train25. The Train to Cordoba26. You Gotta Love the Soo Line27. New York City, Then28. New York City, Now29. Best Little Railroad in Effingham30. Last Train to Texas31. Railroading in a Fiery Furnace32. Night Train to NowherePart III: Kicking the Train Down the Tracks33. Miss Katy's Funny Pieces of Paper34. Moments I'd Rather Forget35. The Timeless Clovis Sub36. What's the Matter with Florida?37. The Brain Drain38. A Little Drawbridge that Couldn't39. That Commodore Vanderbilt Feeling40. The Ageless World of Stan Kistler41. Saturday Night Fever42. Who Really Saved Illinois Central43. Why You May Yet Read by Candlelight44. 14th Street at Night45. The Wreck of Old 5446. The Mother of All Traffic Jams