JoAnne K come on now how could you forget these classics Drill ye tarriers, the Wreck of Old 97 the Wabash Cannonball the Little Red Caboose behind the train Paddy works on the Railroad The Rock Island Line This Train 500 Miles and FYI model Trains came BEFORE 1:1 trains... Philadelphia inventor John Fitch (who also built a steam boat 15 years before Fulton) built a working model steam locomotive in 1785. His model still exists and is displayed by the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus OH.
come on now how could you forget these classics
Drill ye tarriers,
the Wreck of Old 97
the Wabash Cannonball
the Little Red Caboose behind the train
Paddy works on the Railroad
The Rock Island Line
This Train
500 Miles
and FYI model Trains came BEFORE 1:1 trains... Philadelphia inventor John Fitch (who also built a steam boat 15 years before Fulton) built a working model steam locomotive in 1785. His model still exists and is displayed by the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus OH.
If you want to really crack up, check out Stan Freberg's version of the "Rock Island Line".
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
ef3 yellowjacket Must be that part of me that is French Canadian, but why no one mentioned "Canadian Railroad trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot is a mystery, but that's OK, eh, you there?
Must be that part of me that is French Canadian, but why no one mentioned "Canadian Railroad trilogy" by Gordon Lightfoot is a mystery, but that's OK, eh, you there?
I did. And I mentioned another of Gordon Lightfoot's songs, "Steel Rail Blues" as well.
"Canadian Railroad Trilogy", is a favorite of mine, and has an epic quality about it. However, I don't think either song got much airplay in the US, and I only know of the songs from the albums.
Dan
Was just listening to Doris Day singing "Sentimental Journey".
Bukka White's Panama Limited by Tom Rush
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
You just can't leave out the Union Pacific's "Great Big Rollin' Railroad". This appeared on series of TV commercials that were run in UP territory. They were more for the employees than to generate business, but sure were fun to watch!
The song and its background can be found at;
http://www.utahrails.net/up/rollin-rr.php
steemtrayn Georgie and the IRT by Dave Van Ronk
Georgie and the IRT by Dave Van Ronk
Gosh...I thought I was the only one to have heard of this song and folk singer. Sang it many times in my folk era college daze of the 60's...still have the LP....originally from NYC so that subway town may have something to do with my affinity for this tune. You haven't lived until you've been to Times Square at 5 pm on Friday.... packed in to the IRT!!!
Gee, actually why does this thread keep coming up frequently?
There are plenty of RR songs out there.
One only has to do a search here for such threads to come up with a list.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
How about "Gandy Dancer's Ball" by Frankie Laine?
I think I have read all of this and I don't think i saw this one >>
"RIBBONS OF STEEL" by Johnny Cash also sung by Sharon Anderson
Johnboy out.............................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
I'm surprised that I haven't seen mentioned, "On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe" seeing on how popular the railroad is to fans and modelers.
Our local library has a book from the early 1980s about some railroad songs and their origins. These are mostly bluegrass/folk type songs. Some names you would recognize (and have been mentioned) and some are not. One of them, and not already mentioned, "Billy Richardson's last ride" I have on an old tape from Grandpa Jones.
Someone already mentioned, "Texas, 1947." I have that one too. I've always wondered if it was meant to represent an actual railroad or train, or was more generic in nature. The only reference in it was that the train was "big and red and silver and she don't lay no smoke." Could refer to a few railroads streamlined passenger trains in Texas in that era.
Jeff
I reccomend looking up the Steel Rails CD, named for a piece by Allison Crouse. There's a portrait of the PRR for s cover if I recall correctly.
Also, Charlie Daniels has done the Orange Blossom Special instrumental, as well as a ballad of an a train robbery pf sorts entitled Midnight Train.
-Morgan
A few years ago Stacey Kent gave us a new train/food song: Breakfast on the Morning Tram.
Phil, I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.
My three favorites:
1) City of New Orleans- Willie Nelson
2) Mystery Train - Elvis
3) Freight Train- Nancy Whiskey
The best of the best, IMO
Peter Smith, Memphis
Being someone that spent most of the 80's soaking up all I could of the Grateful Dead, I immediatley thought of "Casey Jones" Or a couple of traditional arrangements they played alot; "Monkey and the Engineer", and "Big Railroad Blues".
It's always interesting how quickly these threads lose the original topic - which in this case, was asking about railroad songs that are NOT about steam trains / steam engines (i.e. electric or diesels only) !!
"Morning Train (9:00 to 5:00)" by Sheena Easton
"Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight
"Love on a Real Train" by Tangerine Dream (no lyrics, but was used for background music for the L scenes in the movie "Risky Business.")
Did any body mention, "CHATTANOOGA CHOO-CHOO" or "THE LONG BLACK TRAIN".
HAVE A (HIGH) BALL!!!!!!
These posts are all great, but there are some wonderful old dark railroad songs also. In this category listen to:
Railroad Bill
Good Morning Mr. Railroad Man
And don't forget "Morningtown Ride" by The Seekers.
Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, ...it doesn't matter. - Mark Twain
How about "She Caught The Katy" by Taj Mahal. Crazy bout that hard headed woman of mine!
-Stan
By the Kingston Trio.
Ever hear the one of "The railroad runs thru the middle of my house"? I have it on a 45.
God's Best & Happy Rails to You!
Bing (RIPRR The Route of the Buzzards)
The future: Dead Rail Society
The Freight Train Blues
By
Boxcar Willie
Right! My sister had the piano sheet music in the 50s.
Otis44
Hank Williams--Pan American
Hank Williams--California Zephyr ( actually same tune as Pan American )
Jimmie Rodgers---Waiting For A Train
Jimmie Rodgers--Ben Dewberry's Final Ride
Roy Acuff--Freight Train Blues ( Theme on my web site but by Elton Britt)
Roy Acuff--Fireball Mail
Roy Acuff--Night Train To Memphis
On The ATSF by the Pied Pipers and Chattanooga Choo Choo by Glen Miller
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
ME&O
jeffherqert--
Thanks, I was scrolling through, waiting for "The ATSF" to appear. It was from an old movie, "The Harvey Girls", with Judy Garland. I believe the Harvey Girls were something equivalent to a train stewardess for passenger trains. I have recordings of Johnny Mercer, and Judy Garland doing this one. Heh-I've got my granddaughters singing along with this one!
George Hamilton IV---Canadian Pacific
Otis44 jeffherqert-- Thanks, I was scrolling through, waiting for "The ATSF" to appear. It was from an old movie, "The Harvey Girls", with Judy Garland. I believe the Harvey Girls were something equivalent to a train stewardess for passenger trains. I have recordings of Johnny Mercer, and Judy Garland doing this one. Heh-I've got my granddaughters singing along with this one!
The Harvey Girls were waitresses at Harvey restaurants at Railroad Depots
My Faves:"Blue Train"by Johnny Cash;"I'm Movin'On"by Hank Snow;"I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blowin'"by Hank Williams;"Casey Jones"by The Grateful Dead.
I've got a little grandnephew that's a year and a half old and everytime I'm in Costco;WalMart;BestBuy;etal.,I'm very tempted to buy him a Johnny CD and a Tom&Jerry DVD.
Two absolutely great songs by Glenn Miller..."Chattanooga Choo Choo,"and "Tuxedo Junction".
Also, "Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe"