Re: Favorite Winter NG reads?

Knowing of my interest in the East Broad Top, my brother gave me a copy of Beebe and Clegg's "Mixed Train Daily" for Christmas because it has a handful of EBT photos. What he didn't know was that I've had a copy for years (please don't tell him that), or that Beebe's rich descriptions of the "San Juan" and the Silverton mixed train are among my favorite pieces of travel writing anywhere. Sure, Beebe was over the top at times — I can't imagine that anyone ever mistook him for straight — but what an eye for detail! What confident writing! You can all but see him and Clegg in the two best seats at the back of the "Alamosa," cocktails in hand, enjoying sunset and the prospect of dinner (for which they had thought to bring "two porterhouse steaks of staggering dimensions," foie gras, and champagne, all to be served by the car's steward, Bill Matthews).

My brother also didn't notice that the copy he picked up — in Cape May, N.J., I believe — was a reprint autographed by both Beebe and Clegg. A nice touch. It looks great on the table in the living room up in Rockhill Furnace. — Lawrence

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Lawrence Biemiller
Washington, D.C.