Tales from the Tracks, Memories of My Life on the Railroad

Tales from the Tracks, Memories of My Life on the Railroad is the story of Lee Cooper, who worked his way up in the industry from a laborer, to brakeman, conductor, and finally to an engineer driving trains. Working with the Illinois Central Road based in Champaign, Cooper shares a collection of stories that tell what life was like for a train crew in the late 20th century…the long hours, running in bitter, winter weather, and the constant fear of an unreported train or a car stuck on the tracks just around the bend.