Hard times that began with the stock market crash of 1929 are only worsening for Elliot Endicott. With his dreams crumbling around him, Elliot has one last hope: a job on the West Coast. He’ll be taking the train — but not as a paying passenger.

Louise Demchuck’s father works for the railroad, and one of his duties is to remove hobos from the trains. Day after day, Louise’s kind heart aches with compassion for the homeless men she sees. She always prays for them and does what little she can to feed them. What will happen when a hobo named Elliott crosses the path of a railroader’s daughter named Louise? Will the locomotive whistle announce love or simply another disappointment?