I have never been able to define my love of railways - I like 'em all, any country. But for my main interest - US railroads, it is the sheer brute-force power of trains in the mountains. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.ac-models.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery Alan's European Gallery Alan's British Steam Gallery
Does not the snow fall on the Mountain top? Is not the Moth drawn t'wards the flame? Do we not drink fine German Beers? Who can say why? I can't remember ever NOT likeing Railroads so I don't know why I do. But I do! ------------------ RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style! Brent Tidaback, Member #234
What do I like? A daylight job, Clear signals, 12,000 hp, 2 miles of train and a paycheck with no denials...now that's fascination.
Man, this is a harder Q to answer than I would think it would be! Happy Railroading!! DANE N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to BCRailKing@Canada.com AIM me at TAMR2860!
I'm not really a 'train' fan per-se .. it is the almost lifelike presentation of a "heartbeat" and deep "breathing" that captures my imagination in the form of a steam locomotive. There is where my passion lies! But it is fascinating to watch a long train move smothely along as it snakes through a canyon, and across tall tressles. ------------------ Bill "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
Much of my early life was spent close to railways. In Pretoria, South Africa we lived one house away from a single track that served coal mines. There was a slight grade leading to a cut just as the track reached the edge of town. I can still hear the bark of those steam locos as they made their way up the hill. Just like the ticking of a clock, we soon didn't hear the trains unless you were outside and looked up at them. I always wanted to create a model of that railroad. 3ft. 6inch.gauge I also travelled by steam train from Johannesburg to Capetown a couple of times. A 1000 mile trip. This was in the days before airlines. This is why I am a steam fan. Robin http://members.xoom.com/Matthyro/index.html [This message has been edited by Robin Matthysen (edited 17 June 2000).]
Thanks all for your great responses. I find that railroading and trains offer a multiude of fascinations; along with history they offer, at the same time they allow me to anticipate the future as well..... I enjoy the models for the expression of the full size trains they represent, never real enough, but still they offer a satisfaction of the movement and flow that only a train can make. They are powerful, they are mechanically marvelous, and they can be all these things to all men to suit the opinion ans satisfy the 'testosterone needs' for admiration. They offer a fun and decent hobby as well, which allows the fan a satisfaction that only good people can understand and enjoy. With that said, I offer my apologies for not checking back sooner with you all, life is quite hectic in the real world as well as in this virtual one. Best wishes to you all and good luck to you enjoying this fun and challenging hobby! [This message has been edited by westfan 1 (edited 17 September 2000).]
My love of trains started in 1934 when the Trainman sat me on his knee and "let" me drive the Doodlebug. My grandmother took me from Wichita,Ks to Aline,Ok to stay a week with my other grandma. When we got back home, dad had bought "us" a red cast iron wind up train. Been at it ever since. The old Mountain "Wild Cat" whistles still ring and echo along canyon walls. Models bring all those fond memories right into my finger tips. You Know? Sure you do. ENJOY ------------------ Watash
Gee Whiz fellas, out of 1,005 railroad enjoyers, isn't anyone else going to share a thought with us? Its just us guys, a few kids, and a couple with one foot slippin'. Come on give! We wont laugh at you. (They snicker at me once in awhile, but they'll grow up!) ------------------ Watash
They bring back fond memories of boyhood times in the southwest, Gallup, New Mexico, Holbrook, Arizona, when I would see long consists that seem to reach for miles running out across the open country with the smoke trailing back and headed for where. Ah, that was the question, “where were they going”. Up into the mountains, out across the Arizona desert? I can even smell the grease wood, and creosote soaked ties from the start of the heat of the day. Navajos out in the distance beginning their chores, hogans doting the landscape near and far. Just many good things that were part of the adventure that a young lad finds. ------------------ Residing in BNSF's St. Croix Subdivision near Trempealeau, WI [This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05 October 2000).]
I'll let this piece I wrote 5 years ago answer both questions. In 1950, when I was 11 years old, my family moved into a new home about 6 tenths of a mile from the Pennsylvania RR. At that time there was little between our house and the railroad except fields. I used to listen to the Pennsy passenger trains coming from and going to Chicago early in the morning. One would come south (?) about 2 am and the other would go north (?) at 4 am. It was the swan song of steam. Diesel was already replacing steam on the passenger runs, but I remember the steam switcher that used to stand at 5th & Main near the PRR Freight House chugging away while the crew grabbed lunch. I remember walking north out to the coaling tower that sat along with a water tower on the west side of the crossing with Madison Ave. (Rd). They were on the south side of the tracks. And, of course, the water tanks and the freight and passenger stations here in Anderson. I remember the steam whistle of those early morning passenger runs sounding like a lost soul calling to whoever would listen. They called to me across the night and I listened. I listened and they became a part of me. Those whistles were for the grade crossing at the DOW. Later, I would stand in the brisk air of cold winter mornings and look across the fields before the houses and subdivisions and trees blocked the view and watch the dim lights of the passenger cars as they cut through the night swiftly passing DOW Tower on their journey south. But before I knew it, it was all gone: the whistles, the DOW tower and the Pennsy were all just memories. But sometimes, in the quiet of the night, it seems that I can still hear those whistles calling… Copyright 1995 - rph Railroads of Madison County (Indiana) Roger Roger Hensley rhensley@anderson.cioe.com == http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ == == Railroads of Madison County (Indiana) ==
Well put, Roger! We do hear those sounds in our dreams no matter how old we get. Good Night all. ------------------ Watash
Guess it's been a lifelong thing. Came from a railroading family, Mother went into labor on a train. Started my first transcontinental train ride at three days old. Pullman porters warming my bottles. First train wreck before I started school. Cab rides when I had to be lifted up into the seat. Couldn't blow the whistle with my entire weight. But for me the magic moments were Dutch doors with swirls of cinders: autumn evenings with tall plumes of steam: the gentle bump of 6 wheel trucks on 39 foot steel lulling me to sleep past crossing bells in the night. Most of all was breakfast in the diner. Stiff white jacketed waiters perfectly pouring coffee without a drop in the saucer, even over switches. Bright clean tablecloths (always just slightly damp to keep the dishes stationary) and bright silverware. Biscuits and eggs just right, and the best country ham this side of heaven. Conductor stops by to chat, asks about Aunt Sue (his sister-in-law) and Uncle Toby. He's telling Grandad about the fish he caught while I'm watching that long lean USRA Mountain swinging through the curves at 70+ MPH. Mr. Billy is having a bit of fun with the whistle at the crossings and somehow I sadly know we'll be getting off too soon. What I didn't know was how soon that big fire-breathing lady up front was going to become fenders on a Chevy. All my modeling is just trying to hold onto those memories, those thrills. I don't care a bit about whether that hopper had a Ajax brake wheel or a Miner style. The right feel is the important thing to me. The crutch by the door of the crossing watchmans shanty. The plank bench outside the yard office. The rusty wheels in the creekbed below the trestle. That apple tree at each end of the long siding. These are the signs that tell about RR people, the bad times and the good times. We model the hardware, the landscape, but to one extent or another, we're telling the story of the people that ran the trains. For some it's the story of rushing double-stacks over the Rockies, for some it's little engines pulling logs out of Georgia swamps. For me, it's keeping a fallen flag shineing in glorious days of yore. Sometimes the way it was, sometimes the way it ought to have been. Chuck
Yeeessss! It's the feel of what we remember. Your details are exquisite. Thank you. Roger Roger Hensley - rhensley@anderson.cioe.com == http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html == == East Central Indiana (ECI) HO Scale Railroad ==
LnNrr, Your e-mail isn't in your profile. Please contact me off Board, I would like to use your piece in a newsletter that I edit for the Central Indiana Division of the NMRA. You can see Acrobat samples of the newsletter on our website at: http://cid.railfan.net/ I will not use it without permission. Roger Roger Hensley - rhensley@anderson.cioe.com == Chief Clerk, Central Indiana Division, MWR, NMRA === == http://cid.railfan.net/ ===
I have been a model railroader and railfan for many years. My father got me started when I was about 10 years old and I was hooked. I have moved around the country a lot being in the Navy and one of the first thing I would do is search out the nearest railroad. I was lucky I was always close to a major railroad CG,BN,ATSF,SP and in retirement the CSX and NS. ------------------ Jim Krapf (thetrainman00@aol.com)
