A Train of Destiny ― Lives and Love Lost in the Wreck of the "City of New Orleans

Two young people meet on a passenger train and find love at first sight. Four hours later the train crashed in downstate Illinois killing eleven people and injuring more than a hundred. One of the young couple survived to endure the loss of a loving family member while the other suffered extensive injuries. "The cars were scattered like spaghetti. Passengers were slammed through the plate glass windows of the coaches. Rescue squads used acetylene torches to cut rails pinning victims.” (Salem Times Commoner, June 12, 1971)They were separated after the crash and mistaken identities thwarted their immediate efforts to find each other setting in motion a twenty year odyssey of searching for each other and near misses. “They were two young people. They had touched. They had held hands. They had embraced and held each other. They had kissed. Together, but for a few hours, they had shared what many believe to be the greatest gift God has bestowed upon mankind, the gift of love.Yet, somehow, Amanda Johnson and Red Ison didn’t exist and . . . . were left to wonder why and to wonder what might have been.”Praise for "A Train of Destiny:" "Absolutely loved this book, a must read! The characters were well fleshed out, and it was effortless to be drawn into their worlds. The story was moving and satisfying to the very end. I can't wait to read Mr. Osborne's next book!" Ted Bates, March 17 2014