During an interview with a local newspaper columnist (about my garden railroad), I was asked this question: "In view of all the ‘robber baron’ history of railroads in America, why is there such a fascination with them? I answered that, beyond the sheer power of locomotives and trains and the fact that they were going to exotic locations beyond the American small towns, there was a huge number of people in the first half of the 20th century whose livelihood depended on the railroads. I know I read that somewhere (Probably in “Trains”.) He asked for a reference, and right now I can’t find one. I have until Monday, July 29 to come up with something. Anyone have any references or other ideas?
As a railroad reference, I recommend a book by Ambrose; Nothing Like it in the World, The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad.
As for why the railroad is interesting to so many, until WWII everyone had to order their lives around the railroad timetable. It was the single most important invention of the industrial age. The railroad made us a country instead of many neighboring communities. Families could live in different towns and still maintain some connection. Businesses could work with others in other cities. Before the interstate highway system, you went to college on a train, and your family met you there at the station at Christmas. When you were drafted you took the train to move from one duty station to another. The circus came to town on the train and that was quite an event. In short, everyone was familiar with the railroad even if they didn’t work on one.
Enjoy - Ed
Mechanically, the concept of railroading is very interesting to many people. Lots of Civil engineering envolved to maintain and create ROW in the first place. A sense of power being applied to move massive weight doesn’t go unoticed by many that are interested. Back a little bit in time massive Cathedral like structures housed the functions of Union Stations and presented a feeling of prominence…Projected importance of being in the various cities…
QM
Do you live close to a heavy-duty class one mainline? If you do, take that reporter out with you trackside, and let him witness a mile-long unit coal train, or better yet, a hot-shot double stack intermodal with 12,000 horses on the point, making time over the road. If that doesn’t explain to him the fascination of railroading, nothing will.
Good luck, Todd C.
I think that America’s obsession with the railroads stems from the fact that before cars or planes, the rails were the only way to get from point A to Points B-Z. The rails hauled everything, from the food that we eat to our mail. Many small towns exist because of the railroads (my home included). There have been 2 constants over the years: baseball and the railroads.
I agree, the shear size and scale facinates me, to say nothing of the horse-power! I love things that are large and powerfull. Maybe I’m easy; but it turns me on! Ron
The inherent romance of the rails encompasses everything above and more. The lonesome whistle in the night, the streamliner through the mountains. The white coated dining car waiter standing by a table set with real silver and china. A heavy coal train on the hill, helpers shoving hard on the rear. The local freight switching industries downtown…all fits in there somewhere…
LC
Because, that’s why! Why did composer Antonin Dvorak tell his pupils at the Conservatory in Prague: “I would gladly give all my symphonies had I been able to invent the locomotive.” So there!
I just love trains. In my opinion there is nothing better than seeing a train coming toward you and hearing the whistle blowing. Then watching 100 or more cars go roaring by. It’s just great!
Power yes power. Also knowing those tomatoes in california florida or now even mexico are going to cambell soup in napoleon.Or those auto racks are going to fostoria for more cars
stay safe
joe
Railroads are an esssential yet useen part of our daily lives. Model Railroading helps shed some light on them
For the same reason people climb mountains.They simply are there.
(1) Robber barons?..Ask the reporter if he is “Yellow Press” or “Muckraker”…(?) It’s obvious this turkey never seriously studied history beyond the high school level. If he got a university degree, the place ought to be, at minimum, placed on probation for failure to adequately educate. (We know journalists are dumber than their predecessors, the lack of checking and proofing is obvious every time we watch them blunder through a news item with hopelessly outdated info…)
(2) Beyond Ambrose, try any of Hilton, Ball or Hauck’s work. Being the 29th has come and gone, the issue is most likely moot. If we knew where in the country this is, we could narrow the focus. There’s an abundance of fascinating stuff out there and more comes out every day…
Just take that same reporter to trackside when UP’s 844 or the 3985, or any big steamer charges by with smoke shooting straight up to the sky. You may have to help him pick his jaw up from the ground. [^]
THEY’RE COOL…DUH
Tell your nitwit reporter that the robber barrons built this country and the politicians wrecked it. Look at James J. Hill, E.H.Harriman and that skunk Teddy Roosevelt for the classic examples of both Classes. Even Jay Gould had more honor than 90% of are presidents.
At whose expense though? The people of this nation. Jay Gould caused financial panics and depressions. Imagine where we’d be if standard oil wasn’t broken up.
stay safe
joe
and least we forget one thing, only missouri used the term robber baron on here. could this be him?
Not sure how bout it mr. voss?
stay safe
joe
My answer would be why not?
You don’t need a specific reference to that question. What you said basically sums up the whole hobby. Everything you said was a concise edition of what is printed in every book, magazine, and video about trains.
If the reporter wants a reference tell him “me” as in meaning “you.” You are the source. Otherwise, gather all the names of every train book ever printed and hand it to that reporter.
Who doesn’t like trains? Trains are mechanical. They’re gadgets. They move. One day a boxcar is in Chicago, the next day it’s in LA. In between that time it passes through your town. Trains are entertaining. Why? They just are. If the reporter can’t accept this fact, then too bad.
I don’t think about the robber barons when I see a train. I think about the machines and the movement of some that travels thousands of miles. Do you think a little 5 year old kid thinks about the business men? NO! He’s never heard of such things. All he’s interested in is seeing these big machines in motion. Just like at a building construction site or a stock car race or an airshow. It’s the machine that matters in not only the railfans eyes but everyones. The train is a gadget like your cell phone, pager, beeper, wristwatch, walkman, radio, car stereo, hand held video games, etc. It’s something with moving parts that keeps you entertained.
There are two kinds of people: those who watch trains and those who are inconvenienced by them.