The Wrecker, Good for Railfans

I’ve been reading the new Isaac Bell series of books Cussler co-writes with Justin Scott. I like this series in part because I’m a railfan (I also liked the train theme in Night Probe! from the Dirk Pitt series). Like all Cussler books, parts of The Wrecker were far-fetched to say the least, but entertaining nonetheless. I read part of The Wrecker at my in-laws’ place in Tennessee within earshot of the Dollywood steam train which was a neat effect. In The Wrecker, the villain is hellbent on destroying the Southern Pacific Railroad.

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This post has been edited by spgass on Mar 19 2010, 02:31 AM

I was at first a bit reluctant about the Bell- books....but I have read 3 now, and I have to say, I cannot stop!
Although it is really hard to imagine all those things about this railroad technology in the early 1900`s, cause I have no idea about all this, I find the stories quite breathtaking

Just finished reading "The Wrecker" My 2nd in the Issac Bell series and I must say thoroughly entertaining reading. Clive and Justin Scott do a wonderful job depicting railway building in the U.S. in the early 1900's.
Lots of action and mystery and the book moves well. The only thing I had a laugh at and found hard to believe was that the wrecker was the senator. One minute this guy is carrying rail ties weighing a couple of hundred pounds and the next minute he's a U.S. senator? Ya, right...I guess senators were a lot tougher in those days.
All in all, a wonderful book and great reading. I rate it a solid 9/10.

Come on, Wolfman....little hole in the plot. So what??
....but I really wonder where I could get some information about all that railroad- stuff. I tried some documetaries, but there was only about how the try to revive it. Yeah, okay, but is there any historical material?
I know, I know, I could google it till I am old and grey. But maybe you boys are smarter

This post has been edited by JuanitaC on Mar 28 2013, 05:36 PM

Good one Jaunita.
So what is right, but ya gotta admit it was funny with all the rough stuff the wrecker was doing....and he's a senator??? The only REAL realtionship I could see between the wrecker and a senator would be corruption.

Can't help ya on that railroad stuff though, sorry.

Google American Rairoads History. Looks like there may be some good stuff there!

Yeah, of course you are right, Wolfman but I was actually not even thinking about it that way, I just liked the book

Thank you, Mike, I will

I really liked it myself hun, it was just kinda funny to me as I was reading it, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks for supplying her with that railroad stuff Mike.