You don’t have to be a rail fan to enjoy this book. From transportation to communications and hospitality to innovation, women have not received the attention and credit they deserve in the history of the American railroad. In uniforms or overalls or working in isolated train depots or carrying the torch for workers’ rights, all were gutsy gals who made a difference. Food, Females and Rails introduces some of the determined, intelligent women and tells the stories through narrative and images of the contributions they made.

Trains gave women freedom of mobility, whether they worked for the railroads or were passengers. Trains took women beyond their geographic boundaries and their restrictive cultural expectations. In some cases, it was the train that gave the woman the opportunity to travel on her own and work in jobs where she could prove her capabilities. But these women were often marginalized and suffered the indignity of lower pay than their male counterparts, relegation to stereotypical domestic jobs, exclusion from union membership, and unjustified condemnation.

Learn the lost stories of women inventors such as Olive Wetzel Dennis and Mary Engle Pennington. Enjoy a virtual meal with the Harvey Girls and the Grill Car Girls. Read about Phoebe Snow’s jingles and Nellie Bly’s race around the world. Get to know the women who shaped train travel.