Born in 1963, I have recently realized how much we take trains for granted. While I am accustomed to thinking that I didn't really grow up around trains, in thinking about it I realize now that I have more than a few very special memories of trains on which to rely, including two childhood journeys from Meridian, Miss. to Atlanta, Ga in '66. I also visited the Freedom Train on its stop in San Diego in 1976, and rode the Sunset Limited by myself from New Orleans to Atlanta a year later, my first extended vacation away from my family (I smoked my first cigar on that trip!). In my early twenties I toured Europe by train, and saw right away the modern cosmetic superiority of the French trains over the scruffy BritRail coaches, and rode the stylish Talgo from the South coast of France to the Spanish border. Later I lived in London for nearly a decade, where I got to ride trains, both commuter and mainline, on an almost daily basis. I can still remember the sound of the individual compartment doors slamming shut as the train prepared for departure on the Brighton line. I've arrived in my hometown of San Diego by Amtrak via the Surfline, but have yet to visit Carrizo Gorge and view the Goat Canyon Trestle, OR create a fixed installation for my Vintage Lionel 2029 engine and train, which have been only an occasional Christmas guest since I received it in 1976. All of which just goes to show that there are plenty of things "rail" left to accomplish as I approach my 48th birthday. Time to get busy!