The locomotive named after Uncle Dick really existed; it was a 2-8-0T designed to move cars over the switchback that was a part of that line, often moving over 40 cars each way, until its scrapping in 1921.
I used to have this book when I was a little kid and I liked it a lot. I never knew it was written by L. Ron Hubbard's brother. It still a good one anyway . . . hehe! Thanks for ULing this story!
A very nice telling of an interesting (and spooky) railway tale. I've written a couple of railroad-themed ghost stories myself, but don't necessarily want to post them online (where they would become public domain) until I can get them published in a magazine or book.
There was a real-life Bill Rogers: He was the first CEO of the Rogers Locomotive Works, which built a lot of early US steamers. 4-4-0 "American-type" steamers and 4-8-0 "Eight-wheelers" were their specialties. The 4-4-0 was a general-purpose locomotive. The 4-8-0 was a high-speed locomotive originally used for passenger service. In fact; Illinois Central locomotive 382, the famous locomotive from Casey Jones' fabled wreck, was a 4-8-0.
My great great grandfather's obituary - a real phantom brakeman: 14 January 1894 • Brooks, Adams County, Iowa, USA James 42 yrs. killed in accident near Brooks, Iowa while working for Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as a brakeman. Minnie Dunn collected $500 for death plus burial expenses. (Source: Petition of Adm. Distr Ct. of Iowa Union Co. Mar. 10 1894.
So I was 7 it was about 8 to 9 pm and I swear I heard this rly loud train horn and the sound of a train passing by (note we lived no were near a train track) I swear this happens but no one believes me and most of them say I was dreaming..IT WAS NOT I DREAM I SWEAR!
Not related to L. Ron Hubbard. It's an insult really. Freeman was a writer and traveler. A good guy and lived a good life. L. Ron was a con man who was convicted of fraud and petty theft.
