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by Joe H. Spooner (Author)
Jesus on the Mainline is a collection of railroad related material and photos gleamed from over 30 years as editor of the Railroad Evangelist magazine that has been in print since 1938. Also from my work as a railroad track laborer in the mid 1970's. If you are a Rail Fan, a Model Train enthusiast or an employee in the railway industry this book is dedicated to all people everywhere to help them on their journey through this life to help them get on the right track to Heaven, as Jesus is the Mainline to our Heavenly home.
I hired out on the Burlington Northern Railroad in the mid 1970's on Tie-Gang 7 as a railroad track laborer, also known as a "Gandy". We were changing the worn-out railroad ties from Vancouver to Wishram, Washinton. The work could be hard, dirty, hot or cold, but we all seemed to survive. As a roving crew we lived in converted Pullman couch cars that were turned into our living quarters with bunk beds and a shower that sometime worked. Between 8-10 guys would share a bunk car. We had our own cook car that went wherever we did, and the company supplied a full time cook for us. I worked on both Tie and Steel gangs. Being a Christian on these railroad roving gangs was both challenging and rewarding, especially when I got to share my faith in Christ with them. This is my story as a railroad Gandy and as editor of the Railroad Evangelist magazine for 30 years. Hope you enjoy the journey.
