Steinauer Publishing

A Steinauer Publishing Biography

HEAR THE WHISTLE

The Story of Jack Haley, American Entrepreneur and Railroad Pioneer

by Kathy Haley Buhrman

“Live your life with passion… Always listen for the whistle.”

Buy the Book
Hear the Whistle book cover

The Story

About the Book

In 1984, the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad sold a 100-mile railroad line to retired USAF pilot and entrepreneur Jack Haley who had a dream to buy a railroad. In 1985 he took possession of their Iowa Division, renaming it the Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad after securing a $75 million loan from General Electric — the largest privately funded American railroad formed in the 20th century by a non-railroad entity. Overshadowed by controversy and brief in tenure, Haley became legendary among short-line and regional operators, a figure who helped change American railroading forever.

Jack lived life with unbridled enthusiasm and joy. As he entered the last decade of his life his desire to live every day to the fullest never dimmed. He never stopped hearing the whistle. This is his story.

Buy the Book

Praise

Reviews

Kathy Haley Buhrman

The Author

About the Author

Kathy Haley Buhrman is a family historian, instructor, and Author. She has taught genealogical classes, published articles, and served as stateside researcher for the eBook Where’s Merrill. Her first book, Washington County for Arcadia’s Images of America series, appeared in 2017. Hear the Whistle is her second book. She lives in Washington County, Nebraska.

Available Now

Buy the Book

Choose your edition. Each link opens the Steinauer Publishing listing on Amazon.

258 pages · Hardcover ISBN 978-1-7358717-4-5 · Paperback ISBN 978-1-7358717-1-4 · Kindle ISBN 978-1-7358717-2-1
Features historical photographs from the author’s collection and railroad historians.

Steinauer Publishing

Contact

For orders, reviews, or media inquiries, send a note. We read every message.

top of page
spine name blue gold TITLE TREATMENT 07282021.png

"Jack Haley epitomized the ethic of entrepreneurialism so crucial to the development of business in America. In this loving portrait of her father, Kathy Haley Buhrman shows how Jack Haley succeeded as a pilot, a railroad executive, and as a businessman while being true to his roots, his faith, and his family. A nicely drawn portrait of a businessman who made a difference in late 20th century railroading."

—Greg Schneider

Emporia State University

Railway & Locomotive Historical Society Magazine

3D 1.5 HTW REVISED COVER 081121.png

The story of Jack Haley, American Entrepreneur and Railroad Pioneer

Hear the Whistle

    © 2024 by Steinauer Publishing

    bottom of page