Below is yet another entry from my life journal… written and entered postscript in 1998 from events transpiring in 1969. Though the intent of the piece was more relevant to musical topics, none of it would have happened like it did without the involvement of a very special train… one which was ultimately spawned by a prominent piece of railroad history… so I thought y’all here might like to read it.
"Genesis To An Ovation”
May 10, 1869… the Trans Continental Railway had finally been completed. The tracks were joined and the nation changed forever. Amidst the fanfare there, I’ve always wondered what kind of rot-gut whiskey or champagne may have been in those bottles the guys hanging off the front of the locomotives were holding out in gesture at the moment the famous photo was taken.
Now, fast-forward 100 years. It was the big day. The centennial celebration. People came from all over the country to observe the occasion. My old man had worked his way up the ranks with the Union Pacific Railroad, and our family lived in Ogden, Utah, an intermountain rail hub around 75-or-so miles south from where the historic 1869 Golden Spike had been driven at Promontory Point.
On that day my father had only two months left to live. Cancer was winning the war it had waged on his life.&
Interesting and nice story, thanks for sharing. A lot of things can happen on a train, and resonate long afterwards. As this story shows, serendipity, and the courage to step forward play a part, too.
I imagine it’s extremely difficult to be asked and expected to effectively be an adult when you’re 14 and a parent is dying. I’m glad there are some uiplifting aspets to those events.
Also at 14, I had the audacity to ask for a cab ride on Strasburg’s Decapod (2-10-0) steam engine. It was a slow weekday, and J. Huber Leath (effectively the manager, whatever his official title) paused for a moment, and then said OK. Unfortunately, I don’t remember many details besides the heat (August), other than his kindness and generosity in granting my request - though I do have a photo of me standing in the gangway. About ten years later I was back, but this time working for the company that maintained the SRR’s track. I spent a few days there from time to time, and although he didn’t remember it, I sure did.
Sadly, Glen Campbell is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease (per Rolling Stone magazine back in May, and I doubt that report is fictional).
A couple weeks ago I was at an evening concert/ recital by the songwriter Jimmy Webb, who played and sang a version of “Wichita Lineman”. Although most people think its about a telephone lineman or possibly a electric co. lineman, for the ending of the song he played some high notes which imitated the irregular rhythym of a telegraph sounder, fading out very gradually over a minute or so. I’d never heard that version before, and want to look over the lyrics to see if they support that interpretation. If so, then a railroad C&S lineman is also plausible.
Hi Paul… thanks for your reply. It looks like both of us had an interesting 14 on the rails. If we only could have known then what we know now, ‘eh? I rode the point with the old man many times (back when you could get away with sneaking a kid into the cab), but never even came close to riding on steam. Lucky you!!
Campbell is currently resting at a facility in Nashville and, apparently, still likes his seafood. Kim, his wife, brings it to him from the little sushi shop across the street most every day. I got a little chuckle when I learned that. His youngest kids, Cal, Shannon and Ashley are often on the road together with Ashley’s act (Thursday is Ashley’s 30th birthday). Man, what I would give to have access to Campbell’s guitar vault. If you haven’t yet seen the documentary “I’ll Be Me”, I highly recommend it.
I sure wish I could have been at Webb’s show with you! Such a talented man with a list of hits a mile long. In fact, I was listening to Donna Summer’s version of “McArthur Park” just last night. An interesting fact about Wichita Lineman:: A while back ASCAP, BMI, Pollstar and others in the music tracking business all got together to do a research tally, and all of them came up with the same result. Wichita Lineman is the most played song (radio+live performance) in all of music history (based on the millennium ending in 2000). Whoda thunk?? I like what you said he did on his ending with the Morse code. I’ve always heard it in the main rhythm break of the song before, thinking it may translate to something, but it doesn’t (A-A-A-A-H-repeat
Hello, Larry. Thanks for your response. Yes, I fully agree with the fact that meeting someone famous can be extra special when it is in a setting and environment apart from what they are famous for.
Trains and guitars are two of my fave things, so I’m glad to meet another Ovation enthusiast here. I still own the 1112-1 Custom Balladeer I mentioned in my story (among others) and it remains my #1 thing to rescue if the house catches fire (I hope my wife gets out okay… lol). I wish we lived closer so we could meet and jam… but in the meantime, grab your 12er and, if you haven’t already, come join us at the Ovation Fan Club online (www.ovationfanclub.com). Lots and lots of O players having a great time together there.