The Well-Dressed Hobo

The Many Wondrous Adventures of a Man Who Loves Trains

Rush Loving, Jr.

Narrated by Pete Ferrand

Available from Audible

Book published by Indiana University Press

Growing up in the bustling railroad town of Norfolk, Virginia, and joining his conductor grandfather on overnight runs, future Fortune journalist Rush Loving was enchanted with railroads at an early age. In this extraordinary inside look at eight decades of the railroad industry and some of its greatest leaders, Loving reminisces about his colorful people and fascinating anecdotes. Chatting with brakemen, engineers, and executives, Loving shares stories he collected in locomotive cabs, business cars, executive suites and even the White House. They paint a compelling, intimate portrait of the railroad industry and its leaders, both inept and visionary. Above all, Loving tells stories of the dedicated men and women who truly love trains and know the industry from the rails up.

Rush Loving, Jr. is former associate editor of Fortune and former business editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He is author of The Men Who Loved Trains. Loving served as assistant director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Jimmy Carter and worked as a consultant specializing in transportation economics, issues before Congress, and corporate communication problems.

REVIEWS:

“In The Well-Dressed Hobo, Rush Loving tells the story about getting the story and describes his personal love of trains. As a journalist, he answered a call and perfected an art. This is a book to be read on a train, plane or in a cozy corner with a martini or gimlet.”

—Todd Culbertson, Editor of The Editorial Pages, Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Loving’s sweeping and grand epic on the renaissance of American railroading during the last 40 years and the characters, both wise and foolish, who helped make it a reality should be on the bookshelf of anyone who loves railroading as much as its author.”

—Frederick N. Rasmussen, The Baltimore Sun

“Master storyteller Rush Loving takes us on a journey through the complex railroad industry—the saints and the knaves, the booms and the busts—from the 1930s to the present day. Through it all we have an insider's front row seat as railroading evolves. Only a journalist of Loving's stature could pull off this tour de force so well.”

—Fred W. Frailey, author of Twilight of the Great Trains

“Rush Loving never ran a railroad, but he sure knows how to write about them. Climb aboard this lively blend of memoir and history, which chugs along like a Burlington Northern diesel locomotive barreling down the Continental Divide, and prepare to be entertained and informed by a man whose passion for one of America's great industries shines through every page.”

—Rik Kirkland, former managing editor, Fortune

“Rush Loving is America’s greatest chronicler of the romance and business of railroads and treats readers to a moveable feast of landmark events and locomotive-powered personalities including Averell Harriman and Ed Ball. Jump onto the hobo’s boxcar for a rollicking journey!”

—Shawn Tully, Fortune editor at large

“If you've always been intrigued by trains – if, from an early age, the sound of a distant whistle, the sight of a train pulling into a station or simply the memory of a train streaking across an open landscape has kindled a sense of adventure – Rush Loving Jr.'s The Well-Dressed Hobo is for you. And if you did not grow up fascinated with trains, you will be after reading his engaging memoir.”

—Star-Ledger

“A rail fan's dream book... Highly recommended.”

—Choice

“If you did not grow up loving trains, you will after reading this memoir.... A historic account both sentimental and highly informative.”

—Inside Jersey

“Loving has been interested in trains since childhood and has been in the enviable position of being able to earn a living from his passion in life. Here, the author provides an insiders look at the railroad industry over the past eight decades and shares many reminiscences of the titans of industry that he came to know personally.”

—Michigan Railfan