Last Train to Texas: My Railroad Odyssey

by Fred W. Frailey, Thomas Hoback (Foreword)

Midnight train rides, head-on freight collisions―there is never a dull moment when it comes to trains. Take a look at America's biggest railroads and meet the thunderous personalities who operate them.
In Last Train to Texas , author Fred W. Frailey examines the workings behind the railroad industry and captures incredible true stories along the way. Discover how men like William "Pisser Bill" F. Thompson swerve from financial ruin, bad merger deals, and cutthroat competition, all while racking up enough notoriety to inspire a poem titled "Ode to a Jerk." Bold, savvy, and ready for a friendly brawl, the only thing louder and more thrilling than these men are the trains that they handle. Come along with Frailey as he travels the world, one railroad at a time. Whether it's riding the Canadian Pacific Railway through a blizzard, witnessing a container train burglary in the Abo Canyon, or commemorating a poem to Limerick Junction in Dublin, Ireland, Frailey's journeys are rife with excitement and the occasional mishap.
Filled with humorous anecdotes and thoughtful insights into the railroading industry, Last Train to Texas  is an adventure in every sense of the word.

232 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful little book about some of the movers and shakers in the railroad industry over the last 50 years. The author was a journalist and writer for TRAINS Magazine and, as such, had access to many of these people during his career. He now sets down his thoughts and conversations with them. Some of these characters had real vision and perspective, and helped shape a powerful business model.

While it may seem like a boring book for non-railroad people, it was interesting (Yes, I am a railroad person.). Much of what we have today in the oligarchy-like railroad industry was brought to us by these actors. For any business there are players at the top, and this tale is no different. A quick and enjoyable read, especially if you worked for any railroad company.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series of essays..

[M.J. Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with wonderful stories!

This book is a collection of articles written by Fred Frailey for Trains magazine over the years. It features articles on railroads in Texas and Minnesota, Canadian passenger trains, key railroad executives and legendary rail photographer Stan Kistler. I recommend this book for anyone who is very interested in railroad literature!

[Yaakov Bressler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Feels like author is addressing his “boys club” of railroad enthusiasts - not much context provided in the stories.

Also: feels like an unorganized collection of editorial clips from the author’s journalism career. No narrative. Just a jumble of anecdotes and interviews.

[Justin Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frailey is a legendary railroad journalist and this collection of writings is a great reminder of why the industry is so fascinating.

[Michael P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent railroad writing from one of "Trains" magazine's best writers.