My first memory is laying in my bed feeling the vibration as the train went by and wondering where it was going.
My dad used to take my brother and me to the local train station on Saturdays, while my mom cleaned the house. In those days, steam was still the predominant mode of traction.
On one of these occasions, my dad lifted me up into the cab of a steam loco. When the fireman opened the fire door, I made a big leap backwards, landing in a bed of coal and covering me with coal dust and dirt. When arriving home, my mom had strong words about that.
We used to live in Hamilton ON…actually near Dundas ON when I was about 3 yrs old…my actual first memory was watching switchers going about their business when I was in the backyard of the triplex we were living in at the time…there was a combination of steam and diesel going on …what a show!!
My first train memory was from the late fifties, early sixties. My grandmother lived a good stones throw from the Canadian National/Great Northern line in Burnaby. I was lying in a crib, so I was only about 2 and heard a late night train blowing its whistle as it went by.
Just kidding, John! Come on now! Protecting your kids is not wimpy.
I’d say it started with Britt Allcroft’s Thomas the Tank Engine TV series (the early seasons). But my first memory of real trains is a cold day in December. I was on top my dad’s shoulders and waiting for UP 3985 to come into town. 3985 crept out from underneath a highway bridge, wreathed in steam. I don’t really remember the rest of that lovely lady’s visit, but there’s a picture of me bundled up against the cold, standing next to 3985’s massive pilot. She’s been my favorite locomotive since.
In the context of the 40’s & 50’s - CERTAINLY! Back in the days of super human parents, they didn’t need any seat belts or shoulder straps to keep Mom & Dad in the front seats with Dad behind the wheel, Mom’s arms were more than enough to restrain any baby or toddler. Not only that the shelf under the rear window was a safe place for larger kids to watch the world pass. The people of the 40’s & 50’s were made of different stuff than those today. I mean men played Professional Football without face masks with 33 man rosters. I am certain any individual transplanted from then until now would call all of us Wimpy!
Well now, there WAS a time when the brakes on the Ford locked up as Dad was slowing for a stop light and I slid off the seat and under the dashboard, but hey, it didn’t hurt me any! Aside from those voices in my head from time to time…
Just kidding! Relax everyone!
Cannonball - grew up in Washington Court House myself - was that the diner where Water Stree (US 35) turns left and becomes Dayton Avenue? That was right beside the B&O Midland sub main, across the street from the twin diamonds of the B&O Wellston sub and DT&I line and the B&O station. You’re absolutely right - the place could not have been ten feet away from the tracks.
My first railroad memory was also in WCH, at about age 4. The Pennsylvania’s Zanesville branch was at the foot of our street (next to the city cemetery) - the every-other-day eastbound run passed by just after dark. Watching the lights of the caboose disappearing into the woods and crossing the bridge over the east fork of Paint Creek on the way home to Circleville hooked me on the rails for life.
Did the brakes lock because Ford’s vacuum operated wipers got in a fight with the vacuum powered Power Brakes?[swg]
Racing a GG1 on US 40, near Aberdeen Maryland in a 48 Pontiac. I was probably 4 or 5 at the time, making this about 1956-57.
To BaltACD: I’ve no idea why those brakes locked. Several months ago I was having a “remember when” session with Dad and he didn’t remember the incident at all, so no point in asking him. I do rmember the inside of the car filled with smoke when the brakes locked, stunk like hell too!
[(-D] catfoodflambe; you are absolutley correct. Although I was wrong on the railroad, (B&O ) not C&O[:$][:$] ~~~ Cannonball
My oldest memories are from when I was a kid in the 70s with the Chicago - Omaha mainline of the Rock Island in my back yard. Watching the Peoria and Quad City rockets going by, boxcars being switched for the Nabisco carton factory, and freights with interesting multi-colored consists rolling by. It was double track back then, and we always got a kick out of seeing 2 trains passing each other. It always makes me smile now when an IAIS freight comes through with the 513 in the lead.
Waiting to take the train from Eugene to Spokane back when I was a 3 or 4. (Back in 1969 or therabouts)
My first railroad memory is from when I was probably about 10, which would make it 1967 or thereabouts. For some unknown reason, my father had taken my two brothers and me to the tobacco auction warehouse in Claxton, GA, on the SAL’s Savannah, GA – Montgomery, AL secondary main. The warehouse had a siding and I remember the locomotive passing a foot or so from the loading dock. Strangely enough, I don’t remember the RR cars, but the locomotive was the loudest thing I’d ever heard (much louder than a diesel tractor, which were relatively uncommon there and then). The locomotive was black as I recall, so it may have been after SAL’s merger with ACL in 1967.
Definately showing my age here.
My first train memory is riding the 13 Trolley to 30th Street Station in Philly (which included underground running under Market Street) with my dad and watching the GG1’s on passenger trains, B1 electric switchers, P5s on the freight high line, lots of MU cars, and a few Baldwin switchers.