@chipgreen@InFrom
Not that I recall, but a guy named Flowers was, and later was instrumental in getting me an ‘approved’ ride in the caboose.
Lived within a couple hundred feet of the tracks, it was a quick an easy walk when the freight was stopped for switching. The Monon rail has since been ripped up and converted first to the Monon Trail (walking, biking) and it now looks like a Blvd.
Train from Utica up into the Adirondacks. In the Fall it’s beautiful. The Polar Express is a hit with the kids. When I was a kid in Sonoma County, we rode the Skunk Train. So…a resounding Yes.
I remember in my youth taking the train from Pasadena area (maybe LA) down to San Diego to visit the zoo. Then in 1959 taking the train from LA to New Orleans (and then flew on to St Petersburg, FL) when our family relocated to Florida.
I was something of a rail buff in my youth… My father arranged rides for me on the Northwestern Pacific in the early '50s in the engines: once in a steam engine and once in a diesel. We often rode the Shasta Daylight to visit relatives in Oregon and the Coast Daylight from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Occasionally the San Joaquin Daylight to visit relatives in the Valley and, once, the Lark. When I headed off to college (pre-Amtrak), I took the WP/D&RGW/CB&Q California Zephyr, very fine service on one of the most scenic Western US routes. Ran from Oakland to Chicago. A hodge-podge of trains from Chicago to Roanoke, Virginia: NYC James Whitcomb Riley from Chicago to Cincinnati and the N&W Pocahontas from Cincinnati to Roanoke. Since they sold me a Pullman ticket all the way through, under the crazy rules at the time, they had to put a Pullman on the all coach JW Riley… 2 staff (Pullman Porter and a bartender) and 1 passenger… go figure. Home for Summer on the Capitol Limited from DC to Chicago, the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland, and the SP Cascade (only option when the Shasta Daylight was discontinued in 1967) from Portland to Oakland (SF). Glorious trains.
I’ve also ridden quite a number of trains in Britian and Europe over the years, everything from 3rd class locals to the Trans Europa Express. By the '70s, European Wagon-Lits service was better than Pullman in the US.
Does in a boxcar count?
@rjquillin And therein lies a tale, no doubt.
@rjquillin Also, shouldn’t it say, “Ever Ridden on a Train”?
@InFrom
Methinks you have to be from a special place to rode a train, not everybody is capable.
@rjquillin Probably so.
@InFrom @rjquillin
Was Boxcar Willie involved?
@chipgreen @InFrom
Not that I recall, but a guy named Flowers was, and later was instrumental in getting me an ‘approved’ ride in the caboose.
Lived within a couple hundred feet of the tracks, it was a quick an easy walk when the freight was stopped for switching. The Monon rail has since been ripped up and converted first to the Monon Trail (walking, biking) and it now looks like a Blvd.
Flattened many a penny on those rails.
Yes rode a couple of times.
Train from Utica up into the Adirondacks. In the Fall it’s beautiful. The Polar Express is a hit with the kids. When I was a kid in Sonoma County, we rode the Skunk Train. So…a resounding Yes.
I remember in my youth taking the train from Pasadena area (maybe LA) down to San Diego to visit the zoo. Then in 1959 taking the train from LA to New Orleans (and then flew on to St Petersburg, FL) when our family relocated to Florida.
I like to enjoy the views of nature, so I travel by train
I was something of a rail buff in my youth… My father arranged rides for me on the Northwestern Pacific in the early '50s in the engines: once in a steam engine and once in a diesel. We often rode the Shasta Daylight to visit relatives in Oregon and the Coast Daylight from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Occasionally the San Joaquin Daylight to visit relatives in the Valley and, once, the Lark. When I headed off to college (pre-Amtrak), I took the WP/D&RGW/CB&Q California Zephyr, very fine service on one of the most scenic Western US routes. Ran from Oakland to Chicago. A hodge-podge of trains from Chicago to Roanoke, Virginia: NYC James Whitcomb Riley from Chicago to Cincinnati and the N&W Pocahontas from Cincinnati to Roanoke. Since they sold me a Pullman ticket all the way through, under the crazy rules at the time, they had to put a Pullman on the all coach JW Riley… 2 staff (Pullman Porter and a bartender) and 1 passenger… go figure. Home for Summer on the Capitol Limited from DC to Chicago, the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland, and the SP Cascade (only option when the Shasta Daylight was discontinued in 1967) from Portland to Oakland (SF). Glorious trains.
I’ve also ridden quite a number of trains in Britian and Europe over the years, everything from 3rd class locals to the Trans Europa Express. By the '70s, European Wagon-Lits service was better than Pullman in the US.
Yes, both paid, very nice, and unpaid, you hit the ground much harder than anticipated.
Edit to add: Uncle was a brakeman on the B&O, after WWII, good rides, then, but decided to hop up one day, far away, and much after.
Damned thing sped up, after city limits, but I was a kid, and had to get home. Brought my bruised, brambly ass in, just before supper.