I'm the new kid on the block, and I have always loved railroad trains, even the kiddy trains in the amusement parks.
When I was a small boy, my father, a career Army sergeant stationed in Japan, sent for Mama and us kids to come join him, whereupon we began our epic journey riding trains from Owensboro, Kentucky to Seattle, Washington, to take the ship to Yokohama, where we rode a Japanese train to Ashiya, on the island of Kyushu.
When I was a wild out of control teenager in El Paso, Texas, I ran away from home and rode with a bunch of Mexican illegals in the boxcar of a Southern Pacific "hot shot" freight to San Antonio.
As a young American soldier newly arrived in Germany, I rode on a troop train from Frankfort to Kaiserslautern.
While in Japan on R & R from the war in Viet Nam, I rode the "bullet train" from Osaka to Tokyo, which at that time, was the fastest train in the world.
Later, while stationed in Weon Ju, Korea, I rode their train to Seoul, just for the experience, even though taking the bus was actually much faster.
Nowadays, whenever I have the money, which ain't often, I love to ride AMTRAK going anywhere, and on several occasions, have been fortunate enough to ride, both coach and first class, their "California Zephyr", the "Cardinal", and the "Silver Meteor".
There's nothing finer than sitting in the dining car of the "California Zephyr", eating a steak, and watching the passing scenery of the Great American West.
It's like being in a Hollywood cowboy show, but without any background music (AMTRAK should fix that, don't you think?).
And, boy, do I LOVE the luxury of sleeping in one of the first class cabins, stretching out on that comfortable bed and snuggling under the blanket as the train rocks and clicks through the night, with the occasional rushing rumbling sound of another train heading in the opposite direction.
It's pure Heaven!
Annually, a local group of model railroad enthusiasts visit here at the Ol' Soldiers' Home (the popular name for the Armed Forces Retirement Home), and set up their huge elaborate layout, which we all love.
One of our old soldiers who lives here is, like myself, obviously a railroad enthusiast, for he prominently wears souvenir pins from various railroad trains.
When I was a volunteer firefighter in North Salt Lake City, Utah, we would respond to brush fires along the Union Pacific railroad tracks, caused by passing locomotives, and I would ride buckled into the seat mounted on the right front fender of our specially designed fire truck, aiming the nozzle of the water hose.
Once every year, Union Pacific would run a special train, pulled by their historic "Big Boy" steam locomotive, which always caused brush fires all along the tracks.
Yes, I remember the coal burning steam locomotives and the early diesel locomotives, and I sure miss all that good stuff.
I'm afraid AMTRAK is doomed, which is one reason I like to ride it whenever I can, for I believe passenger rail service in the United States of America is rapidly fading into history, possibly within our lifetime.
I dearly love the haunting sound of a distant train whistle in the night (AMTRAK air horns are specially tuned to resemble a wail), for it just rips me apart deep inside, giving me the gut-wrenching pangs of a lonely unsatisfied wanderlust.
No, I think Peter Pan had the right idea, and so I refuse to grow up!
Thank you.
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John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400
" - - - the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, and we in dreams behold the Hebrides."
[This message has been edited by writesong (edited 11-16-2004).]
I will take issue with your statement that Amtrak is doomed. Sure, there is a lot to be discouraged about, but there are some hopeful signs as well. They're just not getting much press, yet.
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A sitting duck is lying down.
The Del Monte Club Car