Mr. Van Horn worked for many years as a locomotive fireman and engineer, primarily for the Chicago and Northwestern railway before retiring in 1969. As a hobby, for over 40 years, he took railroad photographs, mainly of steam locomotives, in many parts of the U.S.
In this interview, he discusses his career in railroading, the difficulties and hazards involved in his work, and the changes that took place in the railroad industry and in the engineer's job over several decades. Mr. Van Horn also describes his interest in photographing locomotives, his involvement with teh Mid-Continent Railroad Museum at North Freedom, Wis., and tells something of the history of various rail lines in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including some now abanded lines in western Wisconsin.