Whistle Stop Campaigning

[CG9602]

here is one explanation why Whistle-stop campaigning has gone away. On page 291, of "The President Travels By Train," Bob Withers writes:

"The extra work and security involved may help explain why POTUS trips have gone the way of the stagecoach. The Metroliner cars were sealed and checked by the Secret Service. Ten seats were removed from the first press car to make room for television equipment, and a special communications enclosure was built in the Secret Service car. Communications were seen as a problem, too - they would have been readily available on Air Force One. A policeman or state trooper was stationed at every crossing, bridge, culvert and tunnel. A heicopter followed a beacon on top of Nixon's train. Secret Service agents were jammed in both the train and the helicopter; all other trains stopped while Nixon's passed. Most of the planners involved felt that television, airplanes, and helicopters had made presidential travel much more secure. In all, it took an army of policemen, technicians and railroaders to put this president on a train - and nobody wanted to pay that kind of a price anymore."

Kind of disappointing when you consider that the campaign trian was a way of getting out and meeting the voters (and the party faithful) in a way that airplanes, helicopters, and television wil never do.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roadtrp

William Jefferson Clinton, the Worst American President of the 20th century, [^] made a whistle stop tour during August, 1996.

Did he? hmm..did he fondle any women while he was there?

Jay

[CG9602]

let's see now. Bill Clinton was the last President to have anything like a whistle-stop tour, even if it was just for a day or so. Prior to Clinton, there was Bush '41, and Ron Reagan. Carter used the train twice, so did Ford. Carter actually used the train for a business trip to NYC. So did former First Lady Mrs. Clinton. In fact, i think she still uses the train from time to time. The days of whistle-stopping like it was 1948 are gone, though.

[Roadtrp]

Cool. Any president who rides trains is great. And I will certainly acknowledge that George W. Bush is presently the greatest American President of the 21st century. [;)]

[Anonymous]

I did too. I know he rode NS once hear in eastern, Pennsylvania in 99-00.

[Anonymous]

I saw on TV [:)][:)][:)][:)]President George W. Bush [^][^][^][^] on the end of a CSX train somewhere in the northeast during the 1999-2000 elections.

[Roadtrp]

William Jefferson Clinton, the greatest American President of the 20th century, [^] made a whistle stop tour during August, 1996.

From the PBS Online News Hour site:

"The 13-car Clinton train, dubbed "The 21st Century Express," includes cars from Truman’s train and from Franklin Roosevelt’s. The rear platform bedecked with flags evokes those earlier eras, but that’s where the similarities end. This train is equipped with sophisticated satellite equipment to beam back images of the President to news organizations like ours. "

[CG9602]

QUOTE: Originally posted by PistolPete

Has any one heard of any Whistle Stop Campaigning by this years candidates? If not this year when was the last time some candidate used a train for campaigning?

I think that candidates, like most of the public, view railroads as kind of "old fashioned," and candidates are too accustomed to the fly/drive/bus methods of campaigning. Another thing: Campaign managers think that they can reach more people by advertizing on the radio & TV.
It is a unique form of campaigning, using whistle stops. You can bet that if a candidate did an extended whistle stop campaign, you'd hear from reporters who are unaccustomed to travel that way (they would bellyache because they have to take the sleeper and can't stay in the 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels. Boo hoo hoo.) They'd talk about it neing a throwback to the old days, but you can imagine they'd give it some negative coverage, which is unfortunate because whistle-stop campaigns, IMO, put the candidate "in touch" with the people in a way that speeches, travelling by airplane, and TV ads never will.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, it is a long standing fued that Chicago runs the state and we just contribute to their infrastructure.

[Anonymous]

Your right... I changed direction there. But I did come back to topic...

And, I am very interested in anyone performing whistle stop campaigns. I logged back in to this one to ask if anyone has had local groups do similar things with vintage steam.

I remember a number of years ago (when I was still a kid,) here in Illinois a group sponsored one of the historic museum's to bring a steamer through southern illinois with some vintage passenger cars to raise awareness of both causes.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mdemt

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan

Hmmm....I can't think of any candidates doing Whistle Stop campaigning. The current governor of Illinois, however, did come close to this old practice. After he won the election, he rode aboard an old heavyweight observation car as it took him and his family from Chicago to the state's capital, making several stops enroute to thank voters in small towns along the route. I thought that was cool.[:)]

That's a sore subject in Illinois. Notice, that the remaining 80% of the state was not included in the "thank you" tour. If you look at the map, you will realize that Springfield and Chicago are not very far apart. Add to that fact that there are few major cities in Southern Illinois, and you realize that Southern Illinois is not considered in most of the politics. In fact, we call it the state of Chicago. Instead of touring to the lower state area as he should have, he solidified the fact that we are not part of the Governor's thought process. Proof that Chicago politicians and Chicago ideals are forced on rural towns and people who share little to nothing in common with "city folk."

Sorry, it is a long standing fued that Chicago runs the state and we just contribute to their infrastructure.

I understand perfectly what you're saying. However, the question was about Whistle Stop campaigns, NOT whether or not Chicago does or doesn't influence politics in Springfield.[:(!]

[AntonioFP45]

I vaguely remember,

Back in the late 80s or early 90s. A very good, crisp publicity picture of President George Bush (senior) on some kind of whistle stop run. The train was pulled by then new Dash 8 40CWs by CSX and NS. Also nice photos. The CSX loco had the year on the number boards. The engineers and conductors wore the old traditional uniforms of the past (striped overalls, red scarf, suit with the gold watch on chain.) Unfortuantely, I lost the picture when I moved from an apartment to my first house.

Anyone have any info on this? Perhaps the info is on an old Trains Magazine issue.

[PistolPete]

Thank you for the comments.

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mdemt
Sorry, it is a long standing fued that Chicago runs the state and we just contribute to their infrastructure.[soapbox][soapbox]

Now you know how we feel in northern California...even though the capitol is here, most of southern California assumes that we're only here to provide them with water and resources, and the rest of the country assumes that everyone from California is as &%$*@'d up as the folks in southern California!

and, sliding back into model railroading, when I mention West Coast traction to anyone not from California, they usually think of Pacific Electric and not Key System or Sacramento Northern! foo!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan

Hmmm....I can't think of any candidates doing Whistle Stop campaigning. The current governor of Illinois, however, did come close to this old practice. After he won the election, he rode aboard an old heavyweight observation car as it took him and his family from Chicago to the state's capital, making several stops enroute to thank voters in small towns along the route. I thought that was cool.[:)]

That's a sore subject in Illinois. Notice, that the remaining 80% of the state was not included in the "thank you" tour. If you look at the map, you will realize that Springfield and Chicago are not very far apart. Add to that fact that there are few major cities in Southern Illinois, and you realize that Southern Illinois is not considered in most of the politics. In fact, we call it the state of Chicago. Instead of touring to the lower state area as he should have, he solidified the fact that we are not part of the Governor's thought process. Proof that Chicago politicians and Chicago ideals are forced on rural towns and people who share little to nothing in common with "city folk."

Sorry, it is a long standing fued that Chicago runs the state and we just contribute to their infrastructure.[soapbox][soapbox]

(I live just outside St. Louis, so that explains why my tag doesn't say Illinois... most people would immediately have thought of Chicago.)

Other than that, I cannot think of recent Whistlestop Campaigns, and would think it would be a novel and compelling idea for upcoming elections. It would allow an understandable timetable, and give more people the opportunity to participate in smaller, local group meetings with their candidates on familiar ground. It's just a shame they have torn down so much of the passenger stations and stops that used to exist.

[Jetrock]

Whistle-stop campaigning on railroad cars went out of practice in the late 1960's/early 1970's. Kind of a sad thing, really, but quite frankly most people don't even know where their city's train station is located these days...

[Anonymous]

Hmmm....I can't think of any candidates doing Whistle Stop campaigning. The current governor of Illinois, however, did come close to this old practice. After he won the election, he rode aboard an old heavyweight observation car as it took him and his family from Chicago to the state's capital, making several stops enroute to thank voters in small towns along the route. I thought that was cool.[:)]

[PistolPete]

Has any one heard of any Whistle Stop Campaigning by this years candidates? If not this year when was the last time some candidate used a train for campaigning?