One of the best reads I can recall was a seven or eight-part series in the old "Railroad" magazine sometime in the 70's, shortly before it was absorbed by "Railfan" If I recall correctly, the author was Maxwell Swan. He was a genuine old-time boomer railroader, a brakeman whose stories centered around his experiences on the Milwaukee Road in Eastern Washington state. I somehow lost those magazines over the years, but have always kept an eye out for back issues. Haven't found them yet but still looking.
J