When I was a kid in the 1950's, my family took a train to several places. Cincinnati had the 'Union Terminal' (http://www.galenfrysinger.com/union_terminal,_cincinnati.htm) (now a museum (http://www.cincymuseum.org)) and to this day I can remember that huge building, the walkways to the tracks and the ensuing train ride. It was exciting to say the least. I can remember going to Chicago once on a train and staying at the Conrad Hilton hotel. We visited the Science and Industry museum on that trip. I remember the 'working coal mine' and the submarine.

I've seen a lot of places from Kentucky to Virginia to - who knows where else, I assume just about, if not every, state in the US has at least one - have 'dinner' trains and other scenic and/or 'romantic' train rides. I've been to train museums in Pennsylvania. My father had an 8' x 8' American Flyer 2 track layout with the fake grass, hill with tunnels, a huge multiple control transformer which would control various tracks and 'applicance' like blinking lights at road crossings and such. To add to that, during the mid 1960's when I was about 15 I lived in England for a while and spent some time traveling around Europe. Much of it on trains.

It has been a while since I've been on a train and I dream of traveling from NY to LA (I don't think a continuous trip exists any more) on a train to this day. Or, in another dream, to ride the Orient Express (deceased but resurrected if my information is correct). In short, I like trains for whatever reason.

I was home the other day and saw an old Buster Keaton movie which has a replica of one of the first trains in the US in (I can't remember the movie title) and the announcer (it was on Turner Classic Movies) said the train was so realistic that it was donated to the Smithsonian, if I remember correctly.

Anyway - As I sat here thinking, I was wondering - and not specific to the US - How may of you folks have ridden on a train? I'll bet some take a train every day (subways don't count here, although I agree they're 'extensions' of what a train is). What are your train experiences and memories?

I was wrong on the Keaton film and the train being so authentically reproduced and which was donated to the Smithsonian, it was the bicycle in the film (a 'Gentleman's Hobby Horse'). The movie is Our Hospitality from 1923.

http://Elsmar.com/gif/bicycle_keaton.gif

The train in the film is - Well, check it out...

http://Elsmar.com/gif/train_keaton.gif

http://Elsmar.com/gif/train_keaton-2.gif

http://Elsmar.com/gif/train_keaton-3.gif

http://Elsmar.com/gif/train_keaton-4.gif

Last time I did serious cross-country train travel was in the 60's = Panama Limited, City of Miami, and City of New Orleans on the old Illinois Central Maybe about 5 or 6,000 miles in total trips per year for four years. I still do commuter train (real train, not light rail El or subway - I do those, too, but it is not a real "train experience.")

I would love to go on a super fast train like Japan has.

I don't count "15 minute "joy rides" at tourist traps as a real train ride, but if you have never been - it's close enough to get the flavor.

One of the auditors I deal with uses trains whenever possible. Says she'd rather sleep Saturday night on a train (acquired talent, I believe says it rocks you to sleep) and get to the destination and have all day rather than spend all day Sunday in an airport. Made some sense.

I've checked into it for things like trips to NYC, but Jet Blue can get me there for $50.

As kids, mom used to put us on the Cleveland "Rapid Transit" and take us downtown to see Santa. That was always fun - limited memories - more of Santa than the train. Cleveland's train station was "Terminal Tower" which is now "Tower City" and has been refurbished. The short train runs around the city are very popular.

I just found this Amtrack route map.

You may be interested in the website of a trade magazine I subscribe to.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com

How may of you folks have ridden on a train? I'll bet some take a train every day (subways don't count here, although I agree they're 'extensions' of what a train is). What are your train experiences and memories?Ah... Trains... When I did my stint in the military, I had more than my fair share of them - two night trains every week. When that was over, I was so fed up with train rides that I honestly thought I'd stay away from them for the rest of my days... but that passed.

Nowadays I actually prefer going by train when my job requires me to travel. Besides, todays trains are a far cry from the clunky things we had back then: The comfort is better than in an airliner, and the speed is not bad either.

/Claes

Ah... Trains... When I did my stint in the military, I had more than my fair share of them - two night trains every week. When that was over, I was so fed up with train rides that I honestly thought I'd stay away from them for the rest of my days... but that passed.

Nowadays I actually prefer going by train when my job requires me to travel. Besides, todays trains are a far cry from the clunky things we had back then: The comfort is better than in an airliner, and the speed is not bad either.

/Claes

Ah, but Claes, the train system where *you* are is far superior to any system in North America. I backpacked through Europe a couple of summers ago after grad, and we travelled almost exclusively by train (with the exception of our round trip to Britain from Canada, and our flights to and from the mainland - London to Amsterdam and Geneva to London). Everything else was done by train - and it was great. The flexibility and the frequency that is offered by EuRail far exceeds what is offered here - by ViaRail, at least!

I see they still sell EuRail (http://www.raileurope.com) passes. I used a couple when I was a kid Youth Hostel (http://www.hostelworld.com/)ing around Europe. I had a bike (a Raleigh, as I remember) but for long distances the train was preferable to me.

I see they still sell EuRail (http://www.raileurope.com) passes. I used a couple when I was a kid Youth Hostel (http://www.hostelworld.com/)ing around Europe. I had a bike (a Raleigh, as I remember) but for long distances the train was preferable to me.

If I remember correctly, my pass was about somewhere between 1500 and 2000 euro - but it was a 30-day unlimited pass. We had to pay "additional charges" here and there - i.e., for sleeper cars - but all in all it was a great way to get around.

Ah, European vacations - nothing like waking up in the morning and saying, "hmmm, what do I want to do today?...I think I'll go to Spain!"

There are very limited rail travel opportunities where I live. I did ride The City of New Orleans from Memphis to Chicago and back a couple of years ago. It was not cost-effective though.

By far my best rail travel experience was on The Durango and Silverton Railroad (http://www.durangotrain.com) in Colorado. The scenery was magnificent.

Jaime

Ah, but Claes, the train system where *you* are is far superior to any system in North America. Really? I didn't know. Anyway, of the train journeys I've had thus far, I have to say that the ones in France are well ahead of the rest. The french really have their act together. Their rail system works like a charm, ad the TGV (http://www.railfaneurope.net/tgv/tgvindex.html) is great.

Here is a somewhat slower means of transport: The East Södermanland (museum) Railway (http://home.swipnet.se/~w-12967/eng1.htm) in Mariefred, Sweden.

/Claes

I take the weekend train trip up to Toronto every couple of years to get away. Also we take the dinner train in Walled Lake every few months. We have done the sleep over too, it's very relaxing.

yes, I every time I have to travel to NYC, I go by train. It's a very nice way to get there!

yes, I every time I have to travel to NYC, I go by train. It's a very nice way to get there!

I usually drive in or take the ferry to NYC. Haven't take the train in in years - except PATH from Hoboken a couple of years ago.

I did ride on a life size Thomas the Tank Engine with my son in June. Does that count. :)

Friends,

When I'm visiting the Motherland (Holland), I always ride the train. Most of the time, they run on time. I also rode the trains in Japan. They always run on time.

Wished we had that here... We used to, at least...long time ago. Those were the days...:(:(

Stijloor.

My train.

http://users.owt.com/prevette

My train.

http://users.owt.com/prevette

cool. I'd love to get into modeling like that.

:topic:
For now I work on the landscapes for my wife's Department 56 items, but I'm not nearly as good as your landscape.
my first landscape attempt:

I went for a ride yesterday: It takes me an hour to get to Stockholm by train from where i live. So does driving there, as it happens...

However, going by train saves me the hazzle with parking and rush hour traffic. As I already said, I will choose train instead of car given half a chance. Besides, I don't even like to drive.

/Claes

I did last Friday, from the Copenhagen Airport to the City Center (three stops) and back. I was in Sweden for the week and had time to do some sight seeing before my flight home on Saturday.

Phil

Ah... Trains... When I did my stint in the military, I had more than my fair share of them - two night trains every week. When that was over, I was so fed up with train rides that I honestly thought I'd stay away from them for the rest of my days... but that passed.

Nowadays I actually prefer going by train when my job requires me to travel. Besides, todays trains are a far cry from the clunky things we had back then: The comfort is better than in an airliner, and the speed is not bad either.

/Claes

Is there bullet train in swedan?:thanks:

From Detroit (Actually Dearborn) to Chicago - great trip, cars were very clean and the ride relaxing. Took about an hour longer than driving the same.

Is there bullet train in swedan?Well... Sort of: Not exactly a high speed train, but still pretty fast (Around 200km/h). It can run faster than ordinary trains on standard rail due to an ability to lean in curbs (I like it, but a few people get a bit queasy when it does that). It's not half bad, actually. It beats both car and air travel on medium distances.

/Claes