num_pages: 120
description: Two Track Main is a truly unique story about people caught up in the mid-Twentieth Century change from steam to diesel locomotives on American railroads. This fast-paced, action-packed novel brings into focus this momentous transition which is often overlooked because of the 1950’s explosion of automobiles, suburbs, television sets, and commercial flight. The author starts out with an edifying discussion of the reasons for the switch to diesel locomotives. His descriptions are interesting without being onerous. Mr.Baie then brings this remarkable transition to life through the development of various characters who respond differently to change. Two Track Main places the reader in the cab of a giant steam locomotive as its engineer races his train across central Illinois. The author then takes readers into a huge locomotive roundhouse for a look at the individuals who maintained these beasts, while they worried about their futures with the railroad. Next, our author visits a teeming railroad yard with its inherent dangers, especially for one switchman who’s preoccupied with domestic problems. The transient lifestyle of railroaders brings challenges, frustrations, and tragedies to the lives of several individuals as they make real-life decisions and face the consequences. These railroaders and their loved ones struggle through life with the guidance and support of their parish priests, who themselves are caught up with questions of life’s meaning and death’s relentless call. In the end, some of the author’s characters triumph over the challenges of change, while others fall by the wayside. This lively, short, witty novel brings forth a wave of nostalgia for this fascinating period in our history.
language: English
title: Two Track Main
titlecomplete: Two Track Main
publisher: Xlibris Corp