Real railroads haul pasengers, freight, and mail. The trains of our music and literature also carry symbols: they can represent freedom and wanderlust, eros, machismo, escape, work, the ultimate journey that marks life's end, or nostalgia for a bygone age. This collection of songs about trains and railroads offers some of each of these, from the turn-of-the-century tale of Casey Jones to the "disappearing railroad blues" of the 1970s' City of New Orleans.

Rounder's Roots of Americana series proudly presents some of the best and most beloved train songs recorded since 1930. Norm Cohen, author of Long Steel Rail: The Railroad in American Folksong shares his extensive knowledge in the booklet notes.

Artists include:

• Hank Snow,
• Patsy Cline,
• Johnny Cash,
• Flatt & Scruggs,
• the Delmore Brothers and Wayne Raney,
• Steve Goodman,
• Sleepy LaBeef,
• Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys,
• the Whitstein Brothers,
• the Carter Family,
• Tony Rice,
• Jim & Jesse,
• the Stanley Brothers,
• Mary McCaslin