Chances are, if you ask an older person about trains, you’ll
hear some interesting stories. In the early 20th century, these
‘modern marvels’ had a great impact on our nation and influenced
many of our relatives’ lives.
Chances are, if you ask an older person about trains, you’ll hear some interesting stories. In the early 20th century, these ‘modern marvels’ had a great impact on our nation and influenced many of our relatives’ lives.
My great-grandmother Sarah and her brother, for instance, used to catch and skin animals native to Oklahoma. If they were lucky they might get $2 per hide, and in 1918, that was pretty good money.
But their favorite part of the adventure was going to the train station to send the hides up north. They were about 10 years old and the trains towered over them; white steam, loud whistles, proud conductors and the entire USA under those tracks.
About 12 years later, my grandpa Lou was hopping trains; he traveled from New York to California and back. He got lost too. The trains offered him autonomy and adventure. He met a number of men on his journeys who were rummaging around our vast nation looking for employment.
Grandpa was a youngster and was just going to visit family members on the west coast, but couldn’t afford a train ticket.
He was a “clean cut kid” who was new to riding the rails, and these older guys pushed him toward the baker’s door in each town. He was reluctant to ask for day-old bread, but he didn’t come back empty handed.
I’ve had trains on the brain recently and even went to Roaring Camp Railroads in April. It was a great adventure with a beautiful view and a fine local history lesson to boot. Then just a week later, I got an e-mail from an old family friend. This is what he had to say:
“For fourteen years now, South County Garden Railroaders have had an ‘open house’ tour of their backyards. This year, our event is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit 12 model railroads running thru some of the most unique backyard gardens in Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy and Hollister.
“We are not charging admission and only ask that our visitors bring donations of non-perishable food items to All Aboard Junction in Gilroy (located behind Cottage Floors at Monterey and Leavesley roads). Once there, they can pick up their guide book for this fun and easy event.
“All food will be donated to the St. Joseph’s Family Center and will feed those who are hungry in our communities. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated, check can be made payable to St. Joseph’s Family Center or The Community Pantry.
“If you have any questions, please call Pat at All Aboard Junction (408-846-8841) or call local South County Garden Railroaders Dale at (408) 848-1440 or Dave at (408) 842-1843.”
So readers if you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary, budget- and generation-friendly family outing right in your own backyard, mark your calendars and get a guide book from All Aboard Junction.
From Lionel train sets to Thomas the Tank Engine, this event should interest kids of all ages.
Not to jump the tracks, but if you’ve been craving a great summer read, I’d like to suggest “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. It takes place in the early 1930s and is all about circus trains.
This book is amazing, a bit of each genre all rolled into one. History, romance, intrigue and comedy. The story is told from the perspective a 90-year-old man in a nursing home.
He recounts his early adulthood adventures working as a veterinarian for that ‘rolling’ circus and he also reveals some heart-wrenching secrets about being an old man. The story is poignant, captivating and quite unique.
Two other favorite railroad reads of mine include: “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand and “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck. Read, enjoy and discuss.
