Garl is the owner of Latham Railway Services, a Texas-based planning and consulting firm. Past projects include the design of intermodal freight terminals, evaluation and testing of Maintenance-of-Way construction materials, and a comprehensive study of potential intercity passenger train routes throughout Texas and the southwestern United States.
Among other notable ventures are feasibility and engineering studies for the proposed Dallas, Southeastern and Gulf Railway and the Texas Boxcar Company (TexBox), as well as the design and development of various model and toy trains.
Latham's background includes 10 years with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and 5 years at Dallas Area Rapid Transit, where he received the "Golden Star" - DART's highest-level employee award.
Garl has served as a board member and officer with many professional and advocacy organizations, including the National Association of Railroad Passengers, Southwest Railroad Historical Society and MobilityDallas. Latham is currently a full member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and an Associate Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He has made numerous radio, television and personal appearances throughout North America.
A respected railroad historian, Garl has written many articles on Post-World War II-era passenger train services, while assisting countless others in their quest for accurate and entertaining information regarding railroading's colourful past. He is considered one of the foremost authorities on classic Santa Fe Railway passenger operations - especially their famed flagship train, the Super Chief.
To date, he has traveled more than 350,000 miles by train.
Garl is a native of Dallas and a fifth-generation Texan. He holds an Associate degree from Richland College in Dallas, a B.S. from East Texas State University (today's Texas A&M, Commerce) and several professional certifications.
Other interests include music, electronics (KE5YMZ) and first-class travel. Garl and his lovely wife have been blessed with two wonderful daughters, and they share their home with a pair of feisty cats, one rather lethargic fish and a hand-carved wooden quail named "Bob."