The “All Aboard” Series continues at the L&N Depot, Saturday, February 27, 8:30AM with “ The Long Walk Home”, the Civil War story of young Pvt. Jacob Parrott and his role in one of  the greatest railroad escapades in American history.

In April 1862, a group of Federal loyalists, under the command of Kentucky’s Major James J. Andrews, attempted to steal the locomotive “The General” outside Kennesaw, GA. The group failed to anticipate the tenacity of engineer William Fuller’s effort to regain ownership of his train.

 Dr. Bill Goodwin, local historian and American Humorist, will present the exploits of Pvt. Jacob Parrott, the youngest member of Andrew’s Raiders.    “I like to mix humor with history”, states Goodwin. “I like to take   little known facts and bring the past alive.  Humor makes history more approachable and interesting.  Jacob Parrott’s involvement with Andrew’s Raiders makes a great personal interest story. He became the first recipient of the Medal of Honor for military valor”.

“As we approach the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and end the sesquicentennial the L&N’s first through passenger service, we wanted to bring the two events together by telling the story of one of the most exciting railroad stories from that era,” states Sharon Tabor, Executive Director of the L&N Depot.  “The adventures of Andrew’s Raiders was the basis for two movies: “The General” with Buster Keaton, and Disney’s “The Great Locomotive Chase” with Fess Parker. We also have a museum exhibit dedicated to this event. It has all the elements of a great thriller: intrigue, suspense, danger, adventure.  Dr. Goodwin is a wonderful story-teller and it’s a program everyone is sure to enjoy.”

Dr. Goodwin, retired from Western Kentucky University, also taught at the University of Texas and Peabody College. He will be assisted by Mr. Mark Woods, graduate of Manchester University, England.