Sorry, Folks. Looks Like I messed up.
I though, after reading two old Reader’s Platforms, I though I would put in my 2 cents in. Trains has my promission to publish it if they want to, so here goes:
As someone pushing forty, I look back though out my life to see what have I accomplished or not. Some Regrets: I’m still single; I haven’t found a secure job yet (I know that in this economy, it’s an impossiblity); I have yet to travel Amtrak on their big routes (CZ, Lake Shore and Capital Limited, Southwest Chief, City Of New Orleans [to its namesake],Cardnal [east of Cincinatti], Three Rivers [discontinued], Texas Eagle, Coast Starlight); I live in an apartment; I don’t have a model railroad [I can’t afford one right now]; I live in a town that offers no passenger service [rail or otherwise]; I’m a long way from ‘My Sweet Home Chicago’.
Now the plus side: I’m not homeless; I’m in a religious world wide group that really cares; there is at least some rail activity her in Paris, Illinois; I have an aunt and uncle who lives just outside of town who care; I’m still proud to be a rail fan!
Ever since I was a kid, my father (who I’m named after and, yes, lives in Chicago’s south suburbs) spooned fed me his passions of railroading. (Now, he’s doing the same to my nephews.) As I grew older, most of my peers were into cars (as well as sex, drugs and rock n’ roll), while I on the other hand still see the passion of railroading, the romance on riding the rails and listen in the music of the classical masters (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, etc.).
So, ‘Why I’m Still A Rail Fan?’ Well, Granted, I allowed my subscription to Trains Magazine run out because 1) my apartment in Centralia was too small to allow it and 2) even though my parents were willing to finance my subscription, I did want to burden them. (My dad’s retired now.) But still, I still see