As suggested, a review of Call The Big Hook. Found my copy at Mile High Rail Fair in July. Call The Big Hook Samuel A. Dougherty ISBN: 0-87095-087-8 Golden West Books 1984 The book is based on the authors personal experiences working for the Denver and Rio Grande Western. As stated in the preface, the book is true. The disasters presented are known fact. In a few cases, the author had to speculate and assume what actually happened, based on years of experience working for the DRGW. "Call the big hook" - The order given by the DRGW Chief dispatcher to the mechanical department when disaster strikes! In the early days, it was a common practice for a local photographer to visit the accident scene and record the destruction of track and equipment on film. and hawking postcard size copies of the prints. The author covers from when he was growing up as a child, up to his last days after many decades of working for the Rio Grande. From the days of steam, through the transition era, to the early diesel days. Many stories have photos, showing the devastation, following an accident. In many instances, a description of how the accident took place is explained, with reports, firsthand recollections from the crew(s), or those that survived the accident. The book text is loaded with railroaders' lingo, or the language of the working railroad man. Such jargon is reflected in the authors speech. To help clear the confusion of these terms, a glossary of railroad words and term is included. At 256 pages, it can, and will hold your attention to the end!! Overall, a very good read, and definitely worth having in ones collection! While reading, one can only imagine what it was like. I give it a solid :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:
