An American Railroad Dream - by Susie Gaglia (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Susie Gaglia reminisces about fulfilling her childhood dream with her career as railroad engineer for passenger and freight trains along the Northeast Corridor during the mid twentieth century. Beginning with her upbringing in a suburb of Buffalo through the process of qualifying to operate locomotives to vignettes from her fifteen-year career, Susie remembers kind mentors, close encounters on the tracks, near misses, massive accidents, and moments of sexual harassment as she fulfilled an American railroad dream.

Review Quotes

Join locomotive engineer Susie Gaglia for a poignant, real-life story of the human side of railroading. She was one of the pioneer women who conquered the hardships and challenges of breaking into what was previously known as a man's world. Through her perseverance and the kindness of good mentors in the railroad industry, Susie fulfilled her dream of becoming a freight and passenger engineer in the 1970s along the Northeast Corridor, one of America's busiest sections of railroad.

--Chris Coyle, MLIS


railroad historian
 and past secretary, Amherst Railway Society

member, Palmer Public Library Railroad Advisory Board

An American Railroad Dream tells the remarkable and riveting story of one of America's first female locomotive engineers--a story of tenacity, of courage, of humor, of hair-raising danger, and of candor and honesty. Susie Gaglia is an amazing person and has authored a book that it is a must-read, especially for rail fans.

--Reverend Douglas Drown

lifelong railfan and rail history consultant

As children, we are in awe of the larger-than-life men who drive those massive freight trains and lightning fast passenger trains. Like astronauts or super heroes, they remain slightly mysterious, because we usually see only their profile and muscular arms as they give us a wave and a toot of the horn. So imagine the shock when the person behind the throttle of those magnificent beasts is really a petite young woman. Meet Susie, one of the first female engineers--and she's got a story you've never heard.

--Domenic DJ Arlia

Engineer, CSX Baltimore Division