Woman Driver

"The stories of women walking directly into the lion's den - into blue-collar, industrial, dangerous, and testosterone-laden jobs - are not well known. And these stories are even more important in the current political climate in which women's rights are being rolled back." FRANCIS J. CAPALBO - LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER, BR&W RAILROAD

What was it like to be one of the first women to step into the cab of a freight locomotive?

In Woman Driver, Patricia shares her remarkable true story as one of the pioneering women hired as a locomotive engineer in the United States. Set against the backdrop of the 1970s and 1980s, this compelling memoir takes readers inside the world of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway-a time when cabooses still brought up the rear of every freight train, switch engines worked around the clock, and station agents wrote up train orders in a trade that was built on grit, skill, and tradition.

With warmth, humor, and honesty, Patricia introduces the unforgettable railroaders and colorful characters she worked alongside while revealing what it was like to enter a profession that had long been closed to women. Her story is both deeply personal and historically significant, capturing the determination, resilience, and courage required to succeed in a workplace where she constantly had to prove herself.

More than a railroad memoir, Woman Driver explores the landmark legislation that opened the doors for women to pursue careers once reserved exclusively for men. Through Patricia's firsthand experiences, readers witness how those legal changes reshaped lives, challenged long-held assumptions, and helped redefine opportunities for generations of women.

Whether you're fascinated by railroad history, women's history, or inspiring stories of perseverance, Woman Driver offers a vivid and unforgettable journey through a transformative era in American life.

Printed in vibrant full color, this 7" × 10" memoir is enhanced by authentic photographs generously shared by railroad photographers, adding depth, history, and realism.