Tagged With "railroad"
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Re: Shunpiking Through Northern Ohio
I enjoy your journeys around " Small Town USA". The US has such a wealth of history. You should write a book so that Brits like me know where to search for new ventures - ready for my next trip across the pond. Thank You.
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
What an amazing trip! A real reminder of when few traveled and it was not a packaged experience. I wish I had the guts to do a trip like this. Thank you for sharing it! Do you think with Burma more open these days things will change much, or will people like me show up in the cities and still not go where you went?
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
A fascinating journey and, I think, very well suited to the younger crowd. Thanks for sharing this story with us. I felt like I was on that ride with you!
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
Thanks FlashFlyer. The thing about adventures like this is you have no idea what an adventure it'll be until it happens and you can't get out of it even if you want to. So, no guts required. Yes, Burma will certainly change, has already. Currently not enough infrastructure for those wanting to visit but if you've traveled in Asia you know the entrepreneurial spirit is alive & well and it won't be long, I suspect, before it will come to resemble other parts of the region. So, good news as...
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
I hope that wasn't your last venture into third world high speed travel. Reminds me of Austria on the Zillertal Bahn Valley Railway. The Train went so slow that passengers would lean out and pick wild flowers from the trackside. Each carriage had warning notices - in English - not to do this. But ....
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
If I live it won't be my last. Just prior to that one, same trip, I'd gone from Guilin to Nanning, then after lunch got on another, overnight to Hanoi. Later overnight again, Hanoi to Hoi An. Now that I think about it I realize they got progressively worse as I went along, culminating in The Worst. I hadn't thought about it until just this minute, hindsight is a wonderful thing that way. A great disappointment to me several years ago was the apparently permanent cancellation of the Hanoi to...
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
That's a real cool story, PortMoresby! I like my wheels to rubber, not steel, but what a great trip!
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
My brother says that he would love to travel to countries like this. He says it would be really cool to travel on a train like this. I think I'm more of a Europe guy, but it would be a really cool experience to go on a train like that.
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
It isn't cool to travel on a train where you get thrown around in the carriage because the tracks are warped with age John ! Many journeys take 24 hours of hanging on like a Roller Coaster ! That's just in Asia. You'll be fine in Europe.
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
Fascinating read! If I do take this train trip, and it's currently included in the plan, for our hoped for trip to Mynamar later this year, I can't say I wasn't warned. Coming from a country that shakes, rattles, and rolls pretty much every day there were two things about the earthquake that worried me. First, it was big enough to produce screams!! Second, it seems that no-one bothered to check the tracks before the train left the station. And so as I was reading I expected a derailment -...
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Re: The Worst Train in the World
Jill, one thing I didn't think to say when I wrote this report is, consider buying 2nd class seats. I could see into the next car, as it swayed in the opposite direction from ours, and it was fitted with wooden benches, presumably bolted down and consequently a less harrowing ride. It may be more crowded but also more interesting.
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Re: Grand Central Terminal, New York (Where Gumbo Was #164)
Looks like you have a great liking for the good old days of the railroad. Loved the reference to the new complex - It was picking up steam in the 80s and 90s. Fascinating slice of architecture hidden away. But better a market hall than a memory.
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Re: Grand Central Terminal, New York (Where Gumbo Was #164)
Love the history and old photos! Nice post!
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Re: Grand Central Terminal, New York (Where Gumbo Was #164)
And thanks to you, DrF, for suggesting it to me as a topic!
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Re: All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Great trip through some remarkable scenery! Likely as much fun as it seems to be!
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Re: All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
One of my biggest regrets of my Colorado road trip of a few years ago was deciding we didn't have time for the Durango and Silverton...and you just reminded me why I regret it! Great story!
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Re: San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Where Gumbo Was #39
So nice, i love trains And i love to travel by train too, i don't know why but traveling by train makes me more relaxed!
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The Worst Train in the World
The earthquake should have been a clue. But having rather enjoyed the ride, as I have since childhood in an earthquake-prone part of the world, it didn't occur to me that it might be a warning. I should have listened. I'm seriously...
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Silver Plume, Colorado
I love going on leisurely road trips -- the kind where you've several spare hours to pull over somewhere and explore. If a place seems interesting, I like to check it out. So it was this past summer while we were visiting...
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Gold Country, California: The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
I thought this series about Gold Country was done. But I realize now that may not be true for some time. About 6 months ago, wanting to replace the wood stove in my house that was installed when the house was built in 1978, I called...
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NY to DC in 40 minutes by train? Maybe!
A US rail promoter is trying to get funds and approval to build a maglev (magnetic levitation) train line between NYC and DC. TNEM, the company, has already applied for permits to build on an old right-of-way between DC and Baltimore. Magnetic...
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Japan's mag-lev bullet train sets new 375mph record
Magnetic levitation trains—a staple of my childhood Popular Science reading—have not only become reality, they're setting new speed records. Japan's newest "bullet train" line, from Tokyo to Nagoya, is testing its first stretches, and hit...
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June 2, 2017: Causey Arch, England
A historic 18th century railway bridge is today's Picture of the Day, with beautiful photos and narrative from Ian Cook.
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Old Town Sacramento: a trip through California's History
Sacramento's Old Town gives JonathanL insights into California's history and an opportunity to visit a great railroad museum.
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Delaware and Ulster Railroad, Arkville, NY
Jonathan L takes a ride through the Catskills on the Delaware & Ulster RR
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Hi-speed rail to connect Miami, Orlando
With stations already under construction, a new rail service connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando is on track for a 2017 launch, with trains that will provide airline-style amenities without the airport hassle. The new...
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Rochester, NY: City of Re-Invention (Where Gumbo Was #140)
Gumbo’s location in Puzzle #140, as Travelling Canuck and GarryRF recognized, was the puzzling city of Rochester, New York—a city that has re-invented itself so many times that its nicknames tangle the tongue. It’s been the Young...
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Dec. 13, 2017: Boulder Depot, Boulder, CO
Memories of the past, as Samantha takes us to visit Boulder's original Union Pacific depot.
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May 23, 2018: Thomson, Georgia Train Station
Samantha shares her visit to the Old Georgia Railroad Railway Train Station, formally known as the Thomson Georgia Train Station Depot.
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San Diego Model Railroad Museum: Where Gumbo Was #39
Actually, this is a tale of Where Gumbo is Going, because in fact he hasn't yet made it to this largest of all U.S. model railroad museums. Of course, there are conflicting claims, but... I'm going to Los Angeles for a while in July, and...
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Shunpiking Through Northern Ohio
Continuing his off-the-Interstates trip to Minnesota, Jonathan L stops to see the sights of northern Ohio.
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France adds 'sky marshals' to trains
France is ramping up security measures on its rail network, including on-train guards and more scanning.
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British railroads to ditch paper tickets
Britain's railroads are planning to get rid of paper tickets over the next few years, going entirely to computer, smartphone and contactless cards.
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Sept. 29, 2019: - Delaware & Ulster Railroad
Jonathan L shows us some of the classic rail cars of the Delaware & Ulster Railroad
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Grand Central Terminal, New York (Where Gumbo Was #164)
Gumbo was visiting New York City's Grand Central, one of the classics of the heyday of trains, and still a thriving center for local and commuter trains.
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Expedia's on a new track with rail tickets
Expedia, already the world's largest travel booker, is extending its reach into an area where it's been weak: rail tickets. Up to now, Expedia's been glad to sell you a flight, but it might, especially in Europe, not be the fastest or cheapest choice....
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Banff Springs Hotel, Banff National Park (Where Gumbo was #157)
Gumbo was visiting the historic Banff Springs Hotel in the town of Banff. It is one of Canada's well-known Canada Pacific Hotels, now run by Fairmont chain.
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Eurail adds extra days, early-bird benefit
Eurail's passes purchased before April 30 now include free extra travel days, and can be bought 11 months in advance.
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Trouble on the tracks: French rail strike ahead
Four French rail unions, acting together for once, have called a 37-hour strike for next week over pay, staffing and working conditions.
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The Danville Science Center, Virginia
George G visits the interesting Science Center in Danville, Virginia. The Center contains a complex of buildings with a wide variety of science-related exhibits, including a very nice collection of railroad items.
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Re: Silver Plume, Colorado
I love that part of Colorado, lived for 5 years farther down Clear Creek in Golden ("It's the water." Coors). I did some exploring but never got to Silver Plume. But to nearby Georgetown to see where my miner 3rd great grandfather, Gustavus Augustus Williams plied his trade for a number of years, according to the records. The architecture is much the same as here in California Gold Country and my family's presence in the West for generations means it looks like home to me. Thanks, DrF.
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Re: Silver Plume, Colorado
Many of my ancestors travelled to the new world in search of their fortune. A few stayed and started a new family line. And a few lost their lives to logging and other accidents. So were the few inhabitants of Silver Plume an ageing population ? Did the town have that look of a closing down sale ? I love visiting small towns with a rich history. Will it disappear into the dust of time ? Wouldn't it be great if someone did a history of these one time boom towns before they vanish.
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Re: Silver Plume, Colorado
Thanks for your comments, Garry and PortMoresby. Those few people left in the town were a mix of older folks and some younger ones. I expect the town will continue in its present state for sometime. Those who did well in the mining booms were always those first there (who staked the claims), but even more so those who came in and provided services (groceries, hotels, restaurants, bars, brothels). The latter were often the only ones who kept any of their wealth.
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Re: Rochester, NY: City of Re-Invention (Where Gumbo Was #140)
What an amazing look at Rochester! I'll have your piece in hand when I eventually get there!
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Re: Rochester, NY: City of Re-Invention (Where Gumbo Was #140)
Another Rochester history note: Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist leader and former slave, made Rochester his home from 1843 to 1872, and is buried there. His newspaper, the North Star was published in Rochester starting in 1847. The statue of Frederick Douglass in the Highland Bowl was the first statue of an African-American in the U.S. There's more at RocWiki .
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Re: Rochester, NY: City of Re-Invention (Where Gumbo Was #140)
A very interesting place. Clearly I missed a whole lot when I was there on my one visit several years ago. Thank you for this great look at Rochester.
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Re: Rochester, NY: City of Re-Invention (Where Gumbo Was #140)
Ah, as usual, I like PHeymont's blog. Well-written, lots of historical and artistic notes. But, I worry about writing about repurposing or reusing buildings without noting that in many cities that's gentrification--pricing working people out of apartments. Now, it's not clear that any of those buildings were once residential, so people aren't being pushed out of those, but the overall picture is bleak for many people who aren't wealthy. It's a contradiction for those of us who like the...
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Re: Sept. 29, 2019: - Delaware & Ulster Railroad
Vintage railroad rides are great, especially with the old time dining cars using real linens and excellent fare. Not to forget the lounge cars with a full bar and card tables !
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All Aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
There is nothing like a train trip, except a scenic fall train trip in October for your birthday. Samantha takes us along for the party.