Synopses & Reviews
Devoted to trainhopping and railroad culture, Aaron Dactyl's Railroad Semantics zine describes the sights, sounds, successes, and defeats of riding around the U.S. inside of (and sometimes on top of!) freight trains. This first issue, re-published here in book form, explores a round-trip, early-spring train ride from Portland to Pocatello and back, as well as a long, winter ride to Eugene. Both informative and entertaining, issue one also features a wide array of articles on railroads and rail-related activity, letters, postcards, and is full of absolutely gorgeous photographs of landscapes and hobo graffiti--a poetic sense of adventure captured in words, pictures, and scenic vistas!
Synopsis
Devoted to train hopping and train culture, this firsthand account of a risk-taking traveler describes with stunning detail the sights, sounds, successes, and defeats of riding United States railroads without a ticket. From exhausting waits in sparse canyons to breezy sunny rides through the Pacific Northwest, the author glorifies train hopping and expounds his grand adventures. Full of unique photographs documenting the authors railroad journeys, this real-life narrative of a self-styled hobo exudes the feel of adventure and allows readers to explore the world of freight train travel vicariously though him.
About the Author
Aaron Dactyl is an adventurer, railroad hobo, and train enthusiast. He regularly travels by hopping trains. He lives in Eugene, Oregon.
Joe Biel on PowellsBooks.Blog
As the founder of Microcosm Publishing, which I’ve owned for the past 23 years, my greatest joys have been explaining and debunking industry myths to devout readers. I frequently meet people in public or on a cross-country train whose idea of the book industry is broken and backwards. My favorite encounter was when I told two New Yorkers that I am a book publisher...
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