Michael C Kelly
Railroad Historian · Author · Podcaster · Railfan
I’ve been actively railfanning since the mid-1970s, growing up along the Missouri Pacific in south St. Louis, tagging along with my dad on “train hunting” adventures, or chasing the Ann Arbor when summer vacationing in northern Michigan, camera in hand. This led to a life-long obsession with railroading operations and history, beginning with fifteen years working for a nation-wide hobby retailer, The Great Train Stores, where I developed my interest in writing railroad history books and shooting video in addition to still photographs.
My book writing began with Wabash in Color, Vol.2 in 2007 (Morning Sun Books), Rails Around Michigan in 2010, Rails Around Missouri in 2013, Rails Around Indiana in 2020 with co-author and close friend David Crisler Jr, Rails Around Southern Illinois in 2023, and Rails Around Central Illinois in 2025, all self-published. My next book is Rails Around Northern Illinois, due out in 2026. I’ve also written magazine articles and published Don Wirth’s Frisco Steam Salute in 2021. In 2024 I launched The Rails Around Train Guy Show on YouTube.
The Extra Board, coming soon, will be my attempt to give the serious railfan something that doesn’t exist anywhere else; long-form history written by someone who has spent decades researching, lineside, and in conversation with people who lived the railroad life. Also included will be a railroad events calendar detailing train shows, museum/tourist line events and news. Stay tuned by signing up for email alerts!
Published Author
Seven published railroad history books in the Rails Around series. Three titles sold out entirely.
Podcaster & Video Host
Host of The Rails Around Train Guy Show, a video podcast focused on railroad history, preservation, and bringing younger fans into the hobby.
Railfan Photographer
Decades of lineside photography across the Midwest, with an archive spanning the 1970s through the present day.
Hobby Industry Veteran
15 years of novelty and hobby retail experience, with deep knowledge of the collector and model railroad market.
Selected Milestones
1985
Began employment at The Great Train Stores and its library of train books
1987
Upgraded from cheap camera to Nikon SLR
1998
Began exploration into writing the Wabash and Michigan books
2007
First book, Wabash in Color, Volume 2 is released via MSB
2010
Second book, Rails Around Michigan is self-published as the first in the Rails Around series. Would sell out in 2011
2013
Third book, Rails Around Missouri released, would sell out in 2014. Second print run released in 2016; limited quantities available
2020
Fourth book, Rails Around Indiana released, would sell out in 2022 after covid event restrictions lifted
2023
Fifth book, Rails Around Southern Illinois released, limited quantities remaining
2025
Sixth book, Rails Around Central Illinois released, limited quantities remaining
2026
Seventh book, Rails Around Northern Illinois pending release in October. Presale to begin July 1