|
Extra South An unscheduled, unhurried look at Dixie steam Railroading Soft Cove
Extra South An unscheduled, unhurried look at Dixie steam railroading by H Reid.
Soft Cover SECOND EDITION
144 pages. 250 illustrations, photos
Carstens Publishing
Copyright
The essential facts about the content of Extra South are exciting in themselves, for here are the stories of the wreck of Old 97, Norfolk Southern's unique little Berkshire locomotives, the beloved Tweetsie narrow gauge, and much, much more about railroads South, from the diminutive Cliffside to the Southern itself-all beautifully printed on coated paper and accompanied by a rich selection of photographs and drawings. But no table of contents could tell how author H. Reid picks up Southern railroads and railroad men and makes them live-with a spirit, character and substance that set his work above the ordinary. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, a warm and human and unforgettable book, a railroad book with the light touch-one that will be read and, what is more important, reread.
Contents
The Whistle Broke Into A Scream
Norfolk Southern Berkshires, Condensed Giants
Charlie Stein Winder And The Steam Winder . .
The Santa Claus Train
Yesterday, The Huckleberry
The Rambling Gambler Aboard Number 3
Albert, The Princely Locomotive
Doggone
The Cy Crumley Story
A Seaboard Freight Train In Ho
Man Of Iron Will And Steel Ways
Extra South-photographs
More new photo section
Foreword
YESSIR, they still run trains down the valley," the old man answered my question, "but they ain't choochoo trains no more, they're them big kind that just makes a little furry noise." He mourned the steam locomotive, mighty in its time, and mourned its time as well; and so, I conjecture, mourns Mr. H. Reid. He and I and the old man in the valley all know that the steam locomotive was, of all manufactured things, a living creature. It breathed and it strove, it spoke with loud importance, and it's not quite dead and gone yet.
Trains always were special in the South. They burrowed their long steel-streaked ways through wild country, low swampy or high dizzy. They joined the little towns together, and the folks listened for their coming, the snort and sniff and yell of their approach, and got down to the depot to see the train come in and welcome whoever got off and envy whoever got on. For a Southerner has an extra zest for drama and action, and that's what rides on a train.
Those old trains were sung about almost as often as talked about. The country songs say that She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes, The Midnight Special shines its light on me, I'll tell you a story of a brave engineer, and Many a man's been killed by the railroad and cast in a lonely grave. The song sings that the Danville train was stopped, and how the people said, for many miles away, 'twas the outlaws Frank and Jesse James. In the music stirs the beat of the engine's fiery heart, the gulp of its smoky breath, and you want to get aboard and ride to wherever it's going.
Back yonder, the engineer was often called Captain, and so was the conductor, and sometimes so was the brakeman. They rolled to places that seemed far off indeed to folks who never got out of the home county from one year's end to another. And long ago, the engines themselves had names, like ships or like people. Tom Thumb, running and puffing on wooden rails with iron strips pegged on top; General, captured by Yankee raiders and recaptured by the rebels pursuing on the backward-rushing Texas; Humming Bird (I love to hear your lonesome whistle pine!) ; even numbers could be names for trains with enough individuality (This is not 38, this is old 97, you must put her in Spencer on time) ; the roll call is long and gleaming and chugging.
Where are they now? Some of them are in this book. Mr. Reid doesn't fear sentimentality. Gladly he'd risk the cinder in his eye just to lean out the window from the greeny-yellow plush seat and wave to the pretty girl by the cabin door, pull back in to eat hardboiled eggs and ham sandwiches from the shoe box beside him, dare the rocking aisle to the tap that gave water with somehow a flavor of coal, not unpleasant; and get down at last in the town he was seeking, where the depot had scallops under the eaves and the throng on the platform recognized him and said, "Welcome home, old friend."
Not everything here is happy. Good men were killed by the railroad. But nothing ventured, nothing have, and he who ventured his life on the train had life to enjoy.
This book will help you remember a full-blooded phase of American living you surely don't want to forget.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: When you add multiple items to your cart, the reduced shipping charges will automatically be calculated. For direct postage rates to other countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us before making a return. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding or buying.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
