Meet the People Who Keep Vintage Rail Cars Rolling Across America
About two dozen classic carriages around the country offer time travel by train. by Justin Franz July 6, 2023
"...In the 20th century, especially ...after World War II, rail was not only one of the most logical ways to get around the country...it could also be one of the most exquisite. Lounge cars offered plush, window-side seats so passengers could enjoy the passing scenery. Sleeping cars offered a comfortable place to rest through long journeys. Dining cars churned out meals that are a far cry from today’s airline food—rather, they could be on par with what was served in the nation’s finest restaurants. That golden age of luxury rail travel was brief. As the interstate highway system expanded & commercial air travel took off, passenger rail service began to decline in general, and luxury forms were among the first casualties..."
Another train / bike journey today. Getting the hang of it. I am expecting to get soaked at the other end, but at least I won't have the dreaded search for car parking followed by the even more dreaded parking meter dramas. By bringing my bike I won't need to work out the bus system in a different city or have the irritation of hanging around for ages waiting for one to arrive. It won't suit everyone, but I'm finding that it does suit me. #trains#BikeTooter#NotForEveryoneButWorksForMe
I love #trains ! & I love #InterRail !! These are impressions from today’s trip to #ripe88 : tea ceremony in the Dutch train, German clouds (with #music notation electricity lines! ), #Polish brunch with additional Indonesian snacks, while reading a book about Native #American language: collectivist culture & animism grammer ! (There is no word for please: food is meant to be shared )
Now free for all to read... An old sleeper train carriage on a section of track next to Violet Town railway station summons memories of a terrible tragedy of the past:
“The 1910 weathervane, which depicts a steam locomotive and coal tender, perched on the White River Junction Station in Hartford until its theft on November 3, 1983. Theft of weathervanes was very common, as they are outside and easy to remove since they sit on a spindle to enable them to move in the wind.”
It was going up for sale at a NY auction when they checked DB of stolen items.
My train is leaving 15 minutes late which is fine although a little irritating since it's the initiating station for the train (have to wait for a late connection) but as I was looking it up I noticed the southbound Coast Starlight yesterday was almost 12 hours late!