Favorite Rail Songs!

[railiner]

I like most of the above mentioned songs. Also such classics as the "Orange Blossom Special", "Rock Island Line", "Casey Jones". Also "Canadian Pacific".

Here's another cover done by Johnny Cash of a song you may not be familiar with, but it grows on you if you watch it a couple of times. The lyrics seem especially poignant for us older railfans...

 

[leemell]

Besides "CONO" (the Willie nelson version) I love

by Neil Young.
"Southern Pacific"

Down the mountainside

To the coastline

Past the angry tide

The mighty diesel whines.

And the tunnel comes

And the tunnel goes

Round another bend

The giant drivers roll.

I rode the Highball

I fired the Daylight

When I turned sixty-five

I couldn't see right.

It was Mr. Jones,

We've got to let you go

It's company policy

You've got a pension though.

Roll on, Southern Pacific

On your silver rails

On your silver rails

Roll on, Southern Pacific

On your silver rails

Through the moonlight.

I put in my time

I put in my time

Now I'm left to roll

Down the long decline.

I ain't no brake man

Ain't no conductor

But I would be though

If I was younger.

Roll on, Southern Pacific

On your silver rails

On your silver rails

Roll on, Southern Pacific

Roll on, on your silver rails.

 

[Blackshirt Husker]

I have a preschooler, and so I'd have to say "Engine Roll Call" on Thomas and Friends (although he prefers the "Sounds Song" on the same show).

 

[AKA]

#1 is probably City of New Orleans. I like Arlo's version best, followed by Johnny Cash's version and Willie Nelson's version the least. I don't remember the other versions.

#2 (taking the easy track :lol: ) is just about any railroad song sung by Johnny Cash!

If you hear Cash sing a railroading song, even if it's already been popularized by someone else, the song sounds like it was written especially for Johnny.

"Come along and Ride This Train" is also pretty good, even if it's really a medley of songs about truck driving.

WOW someone else that knows that album.

 

[Dan O]

City of New Orleans

Long Train Running by the Doobie Brothers

One after 909 Beatles

Peace Train Cat Stevens

Wasbash Cannonball

 

[RRrich]

Night they drove ol dixie down Joan Baez

 

[The Davy Crockett]

I could swear there was another thread I answered this question in, but I can't find it, so here goes:

Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot

CONY - Arlo Guthrie

I Know You Rider - Traditional - I like the versions by the Seldom Scene or the Grateful Dead best

 

[Ozark Southern]

How about "Kansas City". There's a line about maybe taking a plane or a train--even walking is acceptable--but no cars are ever mentioned!