One verison I had not heard
https://www.facebook.com/LegacyRecordings/videos/10153032109182996/
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Might as well hear Steve Goodman play it.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Also from 1970.Casey Jones
And one for Ulrich and Volker and another for other truckers.
Norm, I love 'ya buddy, but take a deep breath and calm down...
Remember General Robert E. Lee's rule for student behavior at Washington College...
"We have only one rule here, that every student be a gentleman."
While Arlo Guthrie was the one that made the song well-known, I still personally prefer Steve's version. Nothing against Arlo, but I think Steve's simpler voice matched the mood of the song better.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
There's Steve's, Arlo's, and a great live version done by Willie Nelson, backed up by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson when they were performing together as "The Highwaymen." Honestly I can't say which one I prefer, they're all good.
There's a video of Steve Goodman doing "City" in concert in 1982 and backed up by a young Vince Gill. It was on You Tube for the longest time but seems to have disappeared. Wish I could find it again, it was GOOD!
I learned of the existence of Steve Goodman by watching Austin City Limits a few months after my father died.
His "Go Cubs Go" song is played after every home game win. He was a big fan, even when they were the "Lovable Losers"
Firelock76 Norm, I love 'ya buddy, but take a deep breath and calm down... Remember General Robert E. Lee's rule for student behavior at Washington College... "We have only one rule here, that every student be a gentleman."
I am calm, but when one self-annointed 'perfesser' here keeps insulting those he considers those of lesser education than himself I will keep challenging him.The man(?) keeps on insulting others. The two PHD's I know would have a fit with his attitude toward others. It is fine to be well educatated but lording it over others because you think they are beneath you gets old quickly. Having a PHD does not make one an expert on everything.
Were I to know schlimm personally I would likely respect his opinions related to his field of expertise. OTOH, on the keyboard he does not come across well. On an aviation forum we had a similar personality, a very competent flight instructor who was also a very skilled MD who came across as a fool when typing. The lack of facial expression contributed to the total lack of respect he earned on that forum.
I, like most posters here, am not well informed on matters related to the railroads but do have a few friends who ply the trade. Most of those friends are signal maintainers or MOW workers so I have little knowledge of train crews and what they do every day.
Thanks for the critique Firelock, but I don't think I'm out of line rebutting schlimm's arguments. The beatings will continue until morale improves.
Norm
Norm, I've got no problems with folks disagreeing, it's when they get nasty I do have a problem. Last year I took Schlimm to task for some accusations he made at another poster, but no need to go into that.
It's for the same reason I don't bother with "talking head" shows on the various news channels anymore. I enjoy hearing both sides discussing calmly the various issues of the day, but when they turn into screaming matches I lose interest. I suppose broadcasters consider screaming matches good television but I don't, if that puts me in the minority so be it.
I believe we can disagree without being disagreeable. Maybe that puts me in the minority as well.
I'll say this much, over on the "Classic Toy Trains" Forum (of which I'm a contributor from time to time) don't ever get out of line! They'll shut you down and lock the thread in a New York second! No argument with them there.
Thanks for not taking the critique personally, I appreciate it.
Say, how's about another song from ol' Johnny?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqZnGpWFcqM
Not one of his better-known ones, hope everyone likes it.
Firelock76- Did you notice Castle Rock right at the end.
Does Dave Klepper know about this? !!!! What a find.
Someone phone Israel.
I sure did!
The film that goes along with the song is from a Denver and Rio Grande Railroad promotional film around 1940 called "Desert Empire," which is a travelogue of the Rio Grande's route from Denver to Salt Lake City. Very interesting film and quite a time capsule.
It's on a DVD set I purchased several years ago called "Railroads, Tracks Across America." There's 36 vintage railroad promo films in the collection. I got mine at Target, but I've also seen it for sale at Wal-Marts, supermarkets, and other places that sell DVD's. I think outfits that sell railroadiana and other rail collectables sell it as well. It was darn reasonable too, the price was less than $15 as I recall.
"Desert Empire" is posted on You Tube, I've been trying to link it for everyone but today I'm having no luck, for some damn reason. "Computers aren't smart, computer's aren't dumb, computers are just MEAN!"
Just search "you tube desert empire" and it should pop right up.
Nov. 28, 1938. “Actress Mary Livingstone, husband actor/comedian Jack Benny and announcer Don Wilson board a train for New York to do two broadcasts and to Christmas shop.”
That's it! Thanks Wanswheel! You da' man!
Minor point, I don't think that 1948 date is correct, but no matter, it's a fun film.
Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 17, 1939
George F. Dodge, director of public relations, and Carlton T. Sills, advertising and publicity director for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, paused in Salt Lake City Thursday en route from Denver to the Pacific coast. The railroad officials describe the company's exhibit in the Vacationland building at the San Francisco world's fair. Numerous dioramas, illuminated maps, models, photographs and paintings in the exhibit will advertise Utah beauty spots and historical points. The historical film "Desert Empire" will be shown daily in a 50-seat theater erected by the railroad as part of its exhibit.
https://books.google.com/books?id=0nVCAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA688&dq=%22railroads+at+golden+gate+fair%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhvbymxebVAhUi74MKHZ6IB8QQ6AEIJjAA#v=onepage&q=%22railroads%20at%20golden%20gate%20fair%22&f=true
https://archive.org/stream/offboo00gold#page/n0/mode/2up
I am so glad you enjoyed the railroads and music articles in the September issue of Trains. Please keep this thread on topic. We will not tolerate attacks on fellow posters. I'd hate to shut down an otherwise lighthearted discussion. Thank you.
Angela Pusztai-Pasternak, Production Editor, Trains Magazine
Angela,
It would not seem the same if our resident 'perfessor' wasn't attacking those who disagree with him. Thanks for your input but is a day late and a dollar short.
Norm48327 Angela, It would not seem the same if our resident 'perfessor' wasn't attacking those who disagree with him. Thanks for your input but is a day late and a dollar short.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
I must have missed something, (or something got deleted?). How in the world does a thread titled "Best Railroad Songs" lead to playground fights?
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Wanswheel- Now I have that Harvey and Johnson "Railroad Blues" in my head all day..on the highway howling like a dog.
Crossed the border at the height of the partial eclipse where I was, but still pretty cool. Taking a coffee break on home rails.
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