Customer Reviews

From the Cab: Stories from a Locomotive Engineer

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Doug Riddell has taken us inside the life of the railroad engineer. From initially starting out cubbing to learn how the newly merged Seaboard Coast Line and Seaboard Air Lines operate, through working as a brakeman to how he entered engine service to become an engineer. Doug takes us into the cab of the engine, The cupola of the caboose and into the crew rooms and layovers that are a railroader's life. Doug also allows many insights into his own life through these experiences. The night he was almost killed in a crankcase explosion, how it feels to collide with an auto and what he hopes for his son in the future. For anyone who wants to really know what it's like to work on the railroad, this is the book for you.

Doug Riddell takes the reader through his railroad career as fireman, brakeman, conductor, freight engineer and Amtrak engineer. The book falls short on several fronts: It is set far too small type-a definite strain on the eyes. The spacing of the paragraphs and sequence of chapters are in no logical sequence, making for confusing reading. There is also no glossary of RR terms, which can be mystifying to the casual railfan. More seriously, there is no explanation of RR labor workings or teminology. Why is Doug on the "extra board" for fireman on an outbound trip, but forced to be a conductor on the return trip. Why do crew based in Richmond have different rights than crew based in Rocky Mount? This may reflect poor editing as opposed to poor writing but "From the Cab" is still a disappointment. Mr. Riddell is more effective at the short articles he formerly wrote for the late, lamented "Passenger Train Journal" than the longer fare of this book. If you are a serious railfan, especially in the Virginia/Carolinas areas, ignore this review and buy the book anyway. Others should think twice. Sad but true.