Customer Reviews

Tales of the Iron Road: My Life as King of the Hobos

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I was raised in a Pullman train car on the ground next to the Southern Pacific railroad in Southern Oregon so I saw many hobos, bums, and tramps over the years. I spoke with them from time-to-time and "Steam Train" Maury Graham's book was right on. My dad ,who worked for the railroad, was also against giving anything to the people who would knock on the door for fear that it would encourage others. But during the day if one came to the door my mom would fix them one or two cheese sandwiches. I still recall how she said one time she watched him as he walked back to the train and finished the sandwiches as he walked so he wouldn't have to share with the others in the train. The railroad yard in my community was too small for a "Bull" so when they were spotted by the railroad workers they just told them to stay out of sight and catch the next train on-ward. This book is filled with information about a culture that has nearly disappeared. It's told in an entertaining and easy to read form. It just shows you the vast difference between the hobos of the past and the bums with signing saying that they are "Vietnam Vets looking for work" who populate many interchange corners in Texas and work the same locations for year-after-year. "Tales of the Iron Road" shares with you some of the most famous hobos of the past, poems, tricks of the "trade", recipes, and more. If you're interested in this side of railroading you'll enjoy it immensely.

I first read Tales of the iron road 10yrs ago.It was a wonderful and exciting piece of reading for me.The book informed me of my Fathers history and heritage that I had not known. It also gave me bits of family history on my fathers side that I wasnt aware of. Many years have seperated my father Steam Train Maury graham and I,but reading this book has somehow connected me to a man that Ihad heard little of as I was groing up. I will cherish it forever and never stop believing or caring for the man whom I thought was as a child my hero. Sincerely, Maurice Andrew Graham

Book was in good shape
post office was late
2 weeks to get there