Railworks America

If anyone knows of good novels with a railroad theme, please post here.

Like: Zane Grey's Union Pacific

Last year I read a couple of books in a new series of action/mystery novels about railroading, but for the life of me can't remember the author, so I can see if he's continued the series.

Janet Dawson's new novel "Death Rides the Zephyr" is do to be released on September 9. The plot is that a murder occurred on the CZ in the early 1950's, and one of the Zeypherrettes solves it. I know that Ms. Dawson has done extensive research on the CZ and its original equipment, as well as extensive interviews with former crew members and viewing many of the original preserved equipment.

Andrew Martin has several mysteries revolving around British railroads in the late 1800's. They've just started becoming available here in the states. Amazon.com has several of them for sale.

While not a mystery, I highly recommend "Goin Railroading" by Margaret Coel. While Ms. Coel is best known for mysteries on the Wind River Reservation outside of Lander, Wyoming, this is the story of her Grandfather's and Great Grandfather's experiences on the South Park and Pacific (later Colorado and Southern) narrow gauge. Very readable, and a good overview of what late 1800's railroading was like in Colorado.

The Wrecker by Clive Cussler.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrecke ... Cussler%29

Murder on the Orient Express.

Thanks for the suggestions. I did see that Edward Marston has a series of railroad mystery books.

Now the series I was referring to that I started last year was based in the late 19th Century US.

"On the Blue Comet" By Rosemary Wells, is a fantastic one! Loved every chapter of it.

buzz456 wrote:The Wrecker by Clive Cussler.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrecke ... Cussler%29

This novel was great, My pastor knows i love railroads and loaned it to me. I am not much of a reader, but this one I read cover to cover. Always some action in every page.

byelen wrote:Janet Dawson's new novel "Death Rides the Zephyr" is do to be released on September 9.

According to Amazon (where the book is already available), it appears her novels are generally well received. However, if I were Ms. Dawson, I would look for someone else to write the book's synopsis:

"There's a murderer aboard, one who has already killed, and will kill again unless stopped."

Uh, yeah - if someone is a murderer, then it stands to reason they've already killed someone.

byelen wrote:Janet Dawson's new novel "Death Rides the Zephyr" is do to be released on September 9. The plot is that a murder occurred on the CZ in the early 1950's, and one of the Zeypherrettes solves it. I know that Ms. Dawson has done extensive research on the CZ and its original equipment, as well as extensive interviews with former crew members and viewing many of the original preserved equipment.

Andrew Martin has several mysteries revolving around British railroads in the late 1800's. They've just started becoming available here in the states. Amazon.com has several of them for sale.

While not a mystery, I highly recommend "Goin Railroading" by Margaret Coel. While Ms. Coel is best known for mysteries on the Wind River Reservation outside of Lander, Wyoming, this is the story of her Grandfather's and Great Grandfather's experiences on the South Park and Pacific (later Colorado and Southern) narrow gauge. Very readable, and a good overview of what late 1800's railroading was like in Colorado.

If you want to be transported back to the early fifties and get a serious feel for what a ride on the Zephyr was like get this book. It's very well done. You will go for that ride you can not do anymore. Our loss.

PapaXpress wrote:Murder on the Orient Express.

Pretty sure that's an MSTS scenario as well