Railfans

[fritzkep]

Many of us are fascinated by locomotives, railcars and rail travel in general. Let's talk about our common fascination here!





addition by Lance: Before posting photos in this thread, please read the forum guidelines for photo posting, found at this address:
http://davecullen.com/forum/index.php?topic=10125.msg535815#msg535815
Thanks.

[fritzkep]

To start with, my rail travels:

Back when I was in the Cub Scouts, the local Scout group organized a trip around the New Orleans (my home town) in open railcars, probably on a Saturday afternoon. It was probably in 1957 or so, because I remember playing the musical theme of the India Rail Journey from Around the World in 80 Days in my head, because the landscape was similarly tropical and I was reminded of that segment of the movie. My Dad was with me, and I grew to love to hear about train travel because of the numerous business trips he took, including to the West Coast.

My pre-Amtrak trips were on the IC Panama Limited from New Orleans to Chicago in 1969 then on to South Bend on a Grand Trunk Western train (don't remember the train name), and the SRR Southern Crescent from New Orleans to Washington DC in 1970.

On Amtrak, other than fairly frequent trips along the Northeast Corridor, my first long ride was in 1992, on the Capitol Limited to Chicago, then the Desert Wind on to Las Vegas (return to Washington on a German Air Force flight).

In 1993, the Capitol Limited and California Zephyr to Denver, then the Pioneer to Portland, returning via the Empire Builder to Chicago and Cardinal back to DC. Later that year I took a trip around the periphery of the US, Senator to Philadelphia, Broadway Limited to Chicago, Empire Builder to Seattle, Coast Starlight to Oakland and Los Angeles, Sunset Limited to New Orleans and Jacksonville, and finally the Silver Meteor back to DC.

In 1995, the Night Owl to Boston, Lake Shore Limited to Chicago, Southwest Chief to Los Angeles, Texas Eagle back to Chicago then Capitol Limited back to DC.

In 1996, the Silver Star to Miami, returning to DC on the Tampa consist of the same train (to go to Walt Disney World, natch!)

In 1997, the Capitol Limited and California Zephyr to Oakland/Emeryville, a San Joaquin and bus to Los Angeles, then the Desert Wind and Cardinal back to DC. Later that year the Crescent to and from New Orleans for my parents 60th wedding anniversary with my sister.

In 2001, an Acela Express to and from Boston one weekend, just to go 150 mph on a train.

In Canada, I've taken the Ontario Northland Polar Bear Express from Cochrane to Moosonee twice, in 1979 and 2005. And the VIA Rail Canada Hudson Bay from The Pas to Churchill in 1999. The first time to Moosonee is so far the only time I've managed to take a train trip with Earl, other than Northeast Corridor trips to NYC.

In Germany, most recently, a local train to Cologne and an ICE from there to Frankfurt, last March.

In Russia, a night train between Saint Petersburg and Moscow in 1975 (using current city names).

And then, numberous trips on various trains to travel along scenic routes, not only out West but also here in the East.



How about y'all?

[BayCityJohn]

I've been on the 'El' in Chicago!

[fritzkep]

I've been on the 'El' in Chicago!

That's a great train ride! Especially around the Loop, sitting in front.

[BayCityJohn]

I used to take the train from Long Branch, NJ up to Manhattan every weekend.

[BayCityJohn]

I never rode the trains in Germany, but we used to stand on the edge of the rail bridge over the Kinzig River when trains would come by. I couldn't find a pic of the bridge, but here's the station:

[fritzkep]

Beautiful Bahnhof, John!

[BayCityJohn]

I know it's a little off topic, but I found this pic at the same place I found the Banhof.

Can anyone translate it?

[michaelflanagansf]

My commute to work every day is by train.  I take Caltrain from San Francisco to Menlo Park (it's about 30 miles).  Commuter rail gets short shift when people talk about rail.  This stretch is very beautiful - there are mountains, fields and the bay.  On lucky days I get to see bunnies cavorting in one of the fields.  And at night, particularly this season, it's very beautiful - you get to see everyone's lights.

One of my favorite rail lines is between Ann Arbor (Michigan) and Chicago (I think it's the Bluewater).  I've done it in both the winter and the summer.  You really get to see a slice of life that you don't see elsewhere.  You see parts of towns that you don't know about too!  And it cuts out a really boring drive from the Detroit area to Chicago.

I took the Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver earlier this year and it was astounding.  You can see the San Juan Islands from Washington and the green mountains on the way north are just incredible.  The ocean is particuarly pretty just as you cross into Canada.

When I was last in Belgium I got a Benelux rail pass - I went between Ghent and Brugge and Ghent and Ypres.  It was a truly beautiful trip - I loved looking at the farms and the countryside.

Fritz - thank so much for starting this.  I can't wait to tell SFEricsf!

[BayCityJohn]

Here in Bay City we have 2 old stations. This one is about to be renovated finally.

[michaelflanagansf]

Here in Bay City we have 2 old stations. This one is about to be renovated finally.

John there aren't any (passenger) trains that go there yet though, are there?  Your closest station is in Flint, right?

[BayCityJohn]

Right Michael. I think passenger service stopped in the early 60's.

Amtrak has a station in Flint, about 45 minutes away.

[BayCityJohn]

[fritzkep]

I know it's a little off topic, but I found this pic at the same place I found the Banhof.

Can anyone translate it?

"From Leipzig on the Pleisse River
To Frankfurt on the Main River,
here was located the narrowest passage on the whole journey.

From this point the measure (weight) of the loads in the wagons was taken in Leipzig and Frankfurt"

(The German rhymes and has a better rhythm).

[BayCityJohn]

This is our other old station. Grand Trunk Western.