Tuesday, November 6, 2012

The Night Operator - Frank L. Packard

What a fascinating read! Written in 1919, this cracking little volume contains ten short stories about the men and machines of the North American transcontinental steam rail line. Packard, as a young man, worked as a civil engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and so likely draws much from the people and experiences he was involved with at the time.

I found each accident, tragedy, hero or villain quite engrossing, and loved delving into the day-to-day business of the protagonists and their turn-of-the-century steam locomotive adventures. A gem of a book (and especially good reading for young lads).

ebook: Munseys

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