Chessie Takes a Train Trip Book

This is an endearing story written by Thomas W. Dixon, Jr. and beautifully illustrated with historically- and mechanically-accurate artwork by artist Natalie O'Dell, the book features an original adventure starring the famous railroad kitten and brought to life with the first Chessie art officially commissioned since 1984. Eighty-two years since Chessie the Railroad Kitten last appeared in illustrator Ruth Carroll's original children's books, 20 years in the making by author Thomas W. Dixon, Jr., and after over one year of development by the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society with artist Natalie O'Dell, this groundbreaking labor of love by the Clifton Forge-based non-profit organization seeks to appeal to the next generation of supporters that may have never ridden a train, but will someday continue the C&OHS’s mission to preserve and interpret the history of the C&O Railway.The new child’s book tells a story of how Chessie is living in C&O President Harahan’s office in