Western train adventures retold in free program

Stories about the interesting and colorful characters who rode, worked on, and waylaid trains in the American West are featured in a free, illustrated public program with Nevada writer Mark McLaughlin on Wednesday at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City.

Based on the stories in his recent book, "Western Train Adventures: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," McLaughlin's talk includes stories such as the sharp-eyed woman and gutsy lawman who brought down the gang responsible for the West's first train robbery; heroic snowplow engineers who barely survived a suicide run clearing the rails; a world famous author who risked his life for the woman he loved; and lawmen on the hunt for desperados.

"It was a time when charming narrow gauge railroads connected isolated communities and Hollywood romance road the rails," McLaughlin says in his book. "Characters and places come to life in these dramatic train stories."

McLaughlin studied history and cultural geography at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is now the author of four books and a professional researcher/writer with more than 200 published articles. His work appears regularly in California and Nevada newspapers and he has received five writing awards from the Nevada State Press.

Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the museum is at the south end of Carson City at the intersection of South Carson Street and Fairview Avenue. Look for the yellow train station and red water tank at the entrance to the museum grounds. For information, please contact John Frink at 687-6953 or visit the department's Web site at NevadaCulture.org.

IF YOU GO

What: Western Train Adventures: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson Street and Fairview Ave.

Information: 687-6953