My Problem With Time Travel

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I've been working on a historical novel that takes place during the Great Depression and the start of World War II. The setting for the most part is Cleveland but with a trip to San Diego. It has been quite a challenge to travel back in time to do the research especially since I don't have a time machine. But along the way I've found some really interesting things.

Cleveland's Terminal Tower is still a landmark of the city and has the RTA rapid station that services east and west ends of the area located in its lower level. At one time, it was a passenger train station as well but did it exist in 1932 and 1942 when my character, Ruby, needed a train ride? A little traveling over the internet and I had my answer. Yes. Excavation was begun in 1924, steel construction in 1926 and the Terminal Tower opened in 1929. Of course back then it was all known as the Cleveland Union Terminal.

Okay, now I know she can catch a train from there but will she have enough money to get her to San Diego in 1942? As I traveled again through time on the internet, I struggled to find a list of fares for that time period. Lots of schedules--no fares. Then I came across a group of entertainers, all women if I remember correctly, who traveled cross country for less than $100 on a train. Unfortunately I didn't bookmark the reference (and can't remember the search words) but it was enough information to know that with a little fictional seeding, my heroine could make it to San Diego from Cleveland.

History was not my most favorite subject when I was in school and I can safely say there was only one small section of one college history class I found interesting. Some of the facts from the past I've waded through for the novel have been fun and interesting but I find myself slogging through WWII history now to connect my characters with some of the battles and put two of them in the same place at the same time. This part is not fun and reminds me of why I didn't like studying history to begin with. This may be my only historical novel.