“There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful.”
The house was cold this morning. I really didn’t want to get out of bed and neither did Gracie. She stood up, shook, then settled back down beside me, leaning against me. She’s into warmth. It was late, 9:20, so I dragged myself downstairs to begin the day.
My mother never woke us up on the weekends or in the summer. The older we got, the longer we slept in, but when we were young, we wanted the whole day. On summer Saturdays we’d get dressed, bolt down our cereals then take off, sometimes on our bikes and sometimes on foot. We’d cut through the woods to get to the horses in the field on Green Street. The house on the property was red, large and old. It was one of those square houses I found out much later were called federal. We’d stand by the fence, and the horses would come over and we’d pat them. My brother and I would try to feed them grass but they weren’t interested. A couple of times we climbed the fence hoping to jump on the horses and ride them. They’d take off as soon as we got close which was a good thing. I’m sure riding bareback would have lasted about a minute or two before I hit the ground.
Once in a while we’d alter our walking route and head for a different side of town, the area where the box factory, the railroad station and the red store were. Back then my town had a lot of factories for a small town: the Jones Shoe factory up town and two other factories which make chemicals, both by the railroad tracks. Those two buildings were brick, not common for buildings where I lived. Across the front of one was a black sign, but I don’t remember the name of the company though I passed it more times than I can remember because that part of the tracks was a shortcut home. All the factories were still active when I was a kid. One of my friend’s mothers worked in the shoe factory, and I remember watching the trains crossing the main road on their way to the chemical factories.
I used to love walking those tracks, none of which remain. Even now I always stop and watch trains. There is something about them which grabs my imagination.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: bike riding, box factory, chemical factories, cold day, factories, federal architecture, field, patting horses, railroad tracks, sleeping in, walking, weekends
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
April 25, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Just a few days ago I was thinking that it is time to go on a train ride again, too long since the last time. They have one in Skara, it’s an old locomotive pulling some old carriages. It doesn’t go far but it would be fun going with it some day.
Today I also came to think about the village where I work, it still has lots of small factories but only one grocery store, one sort of drug store, a flower shop and a hardware store but that’s it. Once it had several grocerystores and cafe’s and a jewlery and lots more. It all started to die out as soon as they closed the railroad.
We havd had a much nicer day than the predictions said, warmer and sunnier but noiw the rain has started to fall, just as good so I don’t have to water where I sowed annuals a week ago 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
April 25, 2015 at 6:16 pm
Christer,
We have something similar in the Cape Cod Railroad which is a fun ride. It went by the old house of correction, a local prison for minor offenders, and they used to stick their bare bottoms against the windows for everyone on the train to see.
It’s sad when towns die. All the stores in my town are all changed from my childhood, but the up-town is vibrant again with a theater and restaurants.
It was 50˚ when I went shopping today. With the wind and no sun, it was cold. It will be the same for the next few days.
Have a wonderful evening!
April 25, 2015 at 3:23 pm
I miss train travel in this country. Cheap airfare air fares because of the deregulation of the airline industry and the interstate highway system killed passenger trains in this country. The government keeps propping up Amtrak but it’s a losing battle. If we elect a Republican president Amtrak and any hope of high speed rail like they have in Japan and in Europe will just disappear as another expensive government boondoggle.
I can still remember the steam locomotives pulling miles of box cars which are now all in musems along with the caboose. Today freight trains are just miles and miles of either flat bed cars with truck trailers or containers. The box car, gondola car and tank cars with the different names of the railroads are extinct. Names such as the B&O, New York Central, Katy Line or the Pennsylvania railroad are also extinct. Burlington Northern/Santa Fe still exists.
There is a private group trying to build a high speed train between Dallas and Houston but the costs are astronomical and getting right of way through the 200 or so miles of farm land will be almost impossible. No one wants a high speed train cutting across their pasture land. Of course Southwest Airlines has a big lobby in the Legislature in Austin to kill any intra state rail ideas.
Luckily there are lots of scenic railroads around to give our kids and grandkids the feeling of what train travel was like in the first half of the 20th century. I know of one passenger train that I would love to ride between Vancouver BC and Toronto Canada. It still uses the 1950s sleeper, dining and coach cars from the 1950s. It must be Déjà all over again to take that trip.
Today should be a day of relief from the rain storms. Tomorrow night we are expecting another round of severe weather. Although the high temperatures are in the low 80s we run the AC to get rid of the humidity.
April 25, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Bob,
I remember taking the train from Boston to Washington, DC. It was a great ride. I love to travel by train and have done so in Europe, South American and Africa. I’ve slept in a variety of sleeper trains and love falling asleep to the click clack of the wheels on the rails. Ghana had a great train system but doesn’t now which is too bad as you’re stuck with lorries and busses.
In Colorado I have recently seen the longest trains with too many cars to count. I was thrilled to watch as they sped by me.
The scenic railroads are great. Most are old cars well kept. They bring back lots of nostalgia. I love that they do the Polar Express for kids at Christmas. Here you can take the Cape Cod Express during the day, and it is great going though cranberry bogs and having views of the ocean. At night they run a dinner train.
Mount Washington has the Cod Railroad which is amazing.
It is still cold here, 50˚, but there are more and more flowers each day.
April 26, 2015 at 10:05 am
What happened to the railroads in Ghana?
April 26, 2015 at 11:43 am
Bob,
Most of the track was torn up. There is a very small line from one village to another but that’s it. I used to take the train a lot from Accra to Kumasi, a 6+hour bus ride but shorter and more comfy in the train. I also took the sleeper. It was fun.
April 25, 2015 at 4:45 pm
Last week we’ve had the 7th(?) railway strike since last summer. We don’t have a car. Very romantic.
April 25, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Birgit,
I’m thinking at least you still have a railroad to strike against!
We have too many cars. If we had fewer maybe we’d rebuild some railroads.
April 25, 2015 at 5:32 pm
Chocolate Puppy Chow
Ingredients
2 cups Chex honey nut snack mix (8.75 ounces)
2 cups Chex sweet and salty snack mix (8.75 ounces)
1 cup thin pretzel sticks, broken into 1-inch pieces
1 cup salted cashews
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanila
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Pour snack mixes,pretzels,and cashews into large bowl. Set aside.
Using a double boiler on the stove or the microwave,melt the chocolate chips,peanut butter and butter,stirring to combine.
Add vanilla and mix until smooth.
Pour chocolate mixture over cereal,turning over gently until all pieces are evenly coated.
Pour mixture into large plastic bag (a cooking bag works well) with the powdered sugar.
Seal and shake until all the pieces are well coated.
Spread on waxed paper to cool.
Yield: about 8 cups
April 25, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Morpfy,
I love this. It s a perfect snack for my movie nights on the deck. I think I’m keeping the bowl right beside me!! It has so many things I love.
April 25, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Chinese Turkey Vegetable Casserole
Ingredients
1 can (1 pound) French-cut string beans, drained
1 can (1 pound) Chinese mixed vegetables, drained
1 can (8-1/2 ounces) water chestnuts, sliced and drained
1 can (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
4 cups cubed cooked turkey (or chicken)
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
1 ounce sherry
1 cup milk
1 can (3 ounces) french-fried onions
Instructions
Alternate layers of vegetables,cheese,and chicken in greased 9 x 13-inch casserole.
Combine soup,sherry,and milk; pour over casserole.
Cover loosely with foil.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 minutes.
Remove foil; sprinkle onion rings on top.
Bake 20 minutes longer.
Yield: 6-8 servings
April 25, 2015 at 5:54 pm
Morpfy,
This is similar to a casserole my mother used to make that we all loved. She used hamburger usually, and it tasted just fine. I think, though, it didn’t have any sherry. I just remember it was delicious!
April 25, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Hi Kat,
Steve Goodman. City of New Orleans. Great song about railroad travel. Arlo Guthrie covered it in the ’70s. Became one of his signature” songs.
April 25, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Hi t,
I always check to see if I have played a song, and if I have, how long ago. I love both versions of that song and have played them within the last year or so they’ll have to wait a bit.
I started checking when I play a song for about the fifth time. I was a bit shocked at my memory lapse.
April 25, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Memory lapses do come as a surprise. Gee—I’m still 20. Or no–I guess maybe I’m not….
April 25, 2015 at 10:47 pm
t,
Word retrieval skills is what I miss the most!
April 28, 2015 at 10:30 pm
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
WHOOO-WHOOO-WHO-WHOOO-WHOOOOO! 🙂