The Boy Who Rode The Rails

In the rural town of Paxton, Alabama, a high school junior lives in the shadow of a father he never knew—a railroad stationmaster who died after being drafted into WWII just before his birth. Years after his father's death, a twist of legal fortune granted his family ownership of the abandoned rail yard adjacent to their home. It is here where the boy and his new girlfriend, Samantha, discover an incredible secret: the “Tullahoma,” a forgotten Civil War-era locomotive of historical significance tucked away in an old repair shop on the deserted property.

Aided by their history teacher, the trio secretly works to resurrect and restore this historic relic in time for the town centennial. As the boy uncovers his late father's meticulous notes and photographs from two decades prior, he discovers that his father had actually begun restoring the very same locomotive just before being drafted into the war. Through grease, sweat, and determination, the boy connects to the legacy of his father, while growing more deeply in love with the adventurous and spirited Samantha.

The young man draws strength from his faith as he navigates the complexities of first love, college aspirations, financial hardship, and an uncertain future. When an unexpected mechanical failure threatens to derail their big reveal, he must seek help from unlikely allies and engineer a contingency plan in order to keep their grand unveiling plans on track.

In this heartwarming 1960s Southern tale of perseverance, young love, hardship, faith, and the enduring spirit of the American South, “The Boy Who Rode the Rails" is a tender coming-of-age story about how our connections to the past can guide our future, how love blooms in unexpected places, and how sometimes the most important journeys aren't the ones that carry us away from our roots, but ones that bring us back home.

If you enjoyed "Cold Sassy Tree," "To Kill a Mockingbird," or "Peace Like a River," you'll love "The Boy Who Rode the Rails."

© 2025 Defiance Press and Publishing (Ebook): 9781966625100

Release date

Ebook: 23 July 2025