“The Christmas Train”    
          by David Baldacci

Review #136

(I know it's not Christmas time, but, I thought this might cool us off a little!)

Tom Langdon is a former war reporter who now writes feature articles for various magazines. His plan is to link up with his long-distance girlfriend, a Hollywood star, in L.A, for Christmas. Banned from flying for a year because of an air rage incident, he decides to take the train and to write about riding the rails over the Christmas holidays.

Aboard the Capitol Limited, running from D.C. to Chicago, Tom meets a host of unusual fellow travelers, including rambunctious train personnel, lonely wanderers and an eloping couple. He also runs into Eleanor, the former love of his life also on her way to LA. Sparks fly between them, bringing up old feelings along with unresolved issues from their former relationship. Tom realizes this might be his second chance with Eleanor, but a series of unexpected events may derail his plans…like Tom's Tinseltown girlfriend joining the train in Chicago and proposing marriage; a sneak thief nabbing valuables; and an avalanche trapping the train in the mountains in the midst of an historic blizzard.

The narrative is loaded with train lore. (Baldacci dedicates the book to "everyone who loves trains and holidays".)

This is the first non-mystery book of Baldacci’s I have read…loved it!
Made me want to get on a train and ride!