Well..speaking of trains and kids, I never understood how my own interest in trains would ever be of any value to me (beyond just being interested). I discovered that on the day I became a parent. Both my son and my daughter are avid train fans...we hang out at all the good train watching spots around Toronto on weekends...and I'm sure that in 20 years from now those will be among my best memories. Sometimes understanding does come along in its own time.
Well, I posted this one before, but here's my new favorite. It replaced "Fireball Mail" by Roy Acuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV9j1LqLYMU
"Rail and Machine Fire, Smoke and Steam".
I do not believe anyone has ever said it better.
@ Ulrich :
quote : >> Ha ha...some of those innocent little ones can make their relatives cry too... <<
Ha-ha-ha - if they cry it is at least some reaction ! Why have children if they don't care for them ? Usually it's not that hard to find out what's the trouble and fix it . You can make children understand if you let them know you're there and you take them serious . It's really simple , don't know what the fuss is about 'they make me mad' and all that . I've seen so many parents not giving a dime if their children cry their lungs out or not it's unbelievable ! They just don't hear it and they don't care why or what's wrong - terrible . Hearts of stone , minds half dead ! It's no joke , I think it's a sign of the times and it's *** serious ! What people do you think such children will become ?
-
Regards
= J =
And add :
I definitely prefer to see them smile than to see them cry ! If you ask me , yes , I have interfered in cases , I just can't bear it ! One time in the subway there was a family on the other side of the car and both their little children - one boy and one girl were crying real hard . There's a difference in their crying when they're really desperate and that's what I heard from them . Still both parents didn't care for them in any way , they just kept placidly talking to each other . Finally the man raised his arm and shouted like "Shut up now or I make you quiet " The same moment I heard myself hiss "Just one slap and I slap you !" I was so enraged I didn't care if or how much he might be stronger than me and he could probably see that . Now , don't believe this would have interested any people around - on the contrary , one guy was quietly getting up , pretending like he had just discovered he had to leave . Ok , there was no slap and the little ones were noticing something had changed and gradually ceased crying to watch what would happen . So did the mother , but all this big talking man delivered was some verbal abuse and how could I make it my business and why should it concern me (if it doesn't concern him ?) on which I replied "It always concerns me if children are in need !" Not really a satisfying answer to this man , but true - and me , I wasn't sure if saving them from beating now wouldn't mean extra beating once they got home ...
Ok - back to trains .. pooh ...
Thanks, Juniatha, for Arlo Guthrie’s "The City of New Orleans." Every time I hear it, from the first time (in 1972) to today, it reminds me of my last trip on the IC’s City of New Orleans.
In April of ‘70, I had planned to ride the through sleeper from St. Louis to New Orleans, leaving St. Louis the day before I did leave–but the Wabash Cannon Ball, which I took from Detroit to St. Louis did not get me to St. Louis on time to make the connection (among other things, we came up on a freight that had broken in two, and before it was put back together and everything checked, someone passing by stepped in between two cars and closed an anglecock. That the train to Detroit had come in late the night before and the crews were called out on short rest would not have mattered but for the delay caused by the freight’s problems; as it was, the dogcatcher was at the right place at the right time with the relief crews, so that did not delay us).
The animated video of the train was good–except it did not show a dome coach but did show an observation car and lounge car, which no longer were operated.
As to the operation of this particular run, we did not arrive in New Orleans until in the morning because of electrical problems on all three units of the engine. At Fulton, Ky., an electrician came on board, but he was unable to get the matter resolved, and at Dyersburg, Tenn., two Geeps were put on the point. They just could not make the scheduled time of the train, and we left Memphis about four hours late (no changing of cars, though) and arrived in New Orleans between six and seven hours late. To make sure that I made it to Tuscaloosa the same day, I detrained at Carrollton Ave. (until Amtrak came along, all inbound and outbound trains stopped there), and caught the Southern Crescent there.
I have always like the reference to "fathers’ magic carpet made of steel"–especially since I had ridden on a pass several times (my father operated a locomotive crane in the ACL’s Tampa shop, and my mother was able get a pass once a year).
Johnny
Juniatha Oh , yeah , I like the song , too . It sounds kind-a happy . I also like the little one dancing - I always enjoy seeing children happy , they have such a radiant innocence about their happiness : it's pure , clear and without deceit . (On the other hand to see one cry with relatives uncaring can make me furious!)
Oh , yeah , I like the song , too . It sounds kind-a happy . I also like the little one dancing - I always enjoy seeing children happy , they have such a radiant innocence about their happiness : it's pure , clear and without deceit . (On the other hand to see one cry with relatives uncaring can make me furious!)
Ha ha...some of those innocent little ones can make their relatives cry too...
Yes...those are all great songs! Thanks for posting...
Great train songs? Well we've all got out favorites, mine happen to be the following, and in no particular order:
"Casey Jones", the Johnny Cash version. Almost like being in the cab. And Johnnys version is so good it almost makes you forget what's going to happen. Almost.
"Ride This Train", also by Johnny Cash. Kind of obscure, but if you remember the TV show I'm sure you remember the "Ride This Train" storytelling segment.
A 19th Century piece by Johann Strauss called "Bahn Frei". "Bahn Frei" is the German equivalent of "Highball!" A rollicking piece of music!
"City of New Orleans." There's three versions I like, the Steve Goodman original, the famous Arlo Guthrie version, and a cover by Willie Nelson backed up by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Don't know which one I like best.
"Chattanooga Choo-Choo" The immortal Glenn Miller at his best! For a real treat, there's an extended version done in the movie "Sun Valley Serenade", topped off with a dance number by the incredible Nicholas Brothers. I'll tell you, I don't know how we could have won World War Two without the B-17, the P-51, the M-1 rifle, and swing music!
Uhm .. that Big Boy seems to be on road testing on the Swiss Railways ..? Is that part of Swiss preparing for EU financial collapse when they rather sell their home generated electricity to Germany for hard Swiss Fraenkli , importing vice versa quantities of coal from German would be closed down coal mines for cheap Euros on loan ? As far as I know they could still buy seven of them , although I'm not sure if selling them would make any noticeable difference on our national deficit ...
.
The Jazz piece is interesting , yet - sorry - not reminding of a K-4s at all . Maybe some Brazilian meter gauge railway winding though the jungle .. the FC Thereza-Christina in steam time . The K-4s sure was an able engine , but as flexing and agile as that ? Dunno …
Never mind , Arthur Honegger's 'Pacific 231' didn't convey anything Steam to me neither - it's quite an effervescent piece , a bit weird if you pardon me , partly eerie , uncanny even , but not reminding of Pacific steam .
Guess , to exceedingly sensitive musicians steam locomotives can make extreme impressions and might cause unpredictable reactions ...
Oh - and here’s my all-time favourite : Arlo Guthrie , City of New Orleans ! It can still choke me and get my eyes wet in a weak moment . See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piUWIqWSthA&feature=related with quite a nice computer animated video of the train . Or if you prefer Johnny Cash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9NGGfzD_Vc&NR=1 He sure had some good , original and true railroad songs of his own that somehow always sound like Santa Fe to me – yet for the ‘City of New Orleans’ I prefer Arlo Guthrie . Or – hey ! – I didn’t know she has also sung it : Judy Collins , still a fine voice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs5Rk5J-HPc&feature=related (only , did you have to dress in pink , oh my , Judy …)
Some more suggestions?
Gerry Mulligan's K-4 PACIFIC really grabs me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk--ReORZCc
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
I found this gem on youtube. singer is Charlie Hope who writes and sings mostly for children. Its got a nice steam locomotive beat to it...I like it...Your kids might like it too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKlHABc8HTE
Anyone else know of any good train songs?
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.