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Buy PaperbackA Steinauer Publishing Biography
The Story of Jack Haley, American Entrepreneur and Railroad Pioneer
by Kathy Haley Buhrman
“Live your life with passion… Always listen for the whistle.”
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The Story
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.
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From the Archives
Historical photographs from the author’s collection and railroad historians. Click any image to enlarge.
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Kathy Haley Buhrman is a family historian, instructor and writer. She has taught classes in the genealogical field, written articles for publication and was the stateside researcher on the published eBook Where’s Merrill. Her first book, Washington County for Arcadia’s Images of America series, was published in 2017. Hear the Whistle is her second book. She lives in Washington County, Nebraska, and is currently working on her third book.