Hi, Phil - I admit that I've had moments of disappointment with Long Steel Rail, but it's still the best of railroad songs I've ever seen. What has amazed me about this book, and railroad songs in general, is their close connection to actual events - and the fact that they are truly American songs, not derivatives of European ballads.

My gut feeling is that "Reuben's Train" and "Train 45" are modern derivatives of the older "900 Mile" song. I think they come from musicians, not from railroaders. Can't prove that, though.

-Joe-

P.S. Hope y'all don't mind how I altered the thread title...