Let's Have Some Member Info

[Bill Haithcoat]

musical theatre (I have seen Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera each about 15 times) .

Bill,

Have you seen Phantom here in NYC in the specially altered theatre? Or just the traveling companies?

Yes, I have seen it twice in NYC.The first time I saw it, it had only been on the New York stage about one year. The second time I saw it in NYC I was able to take my "becoming-incapacitated" mother before she became unable to travel. She and I had a really neat trip to NYC and back in a sleeper and saw the Phantom there. I have also seen it in Nashville and the other x-number of times have been at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

As to altered theatres, I think almost any theatre in which it has played has had to be considerably altered, as long as they were presenting the famed Andrew Lloyd Webber version.(there were some other versions out there---have not heard much from them in recent years).

Something I forgot. My maternal grandfather worked for the railroad, he was a car inspector on passenger trains as they came through Chattanooga. He died 2 or 3 years before I was born so I never knew him. However, I think his influence being what it was, it paved the way for my parents to be as relatively supportive of my hobby as they were, i.e. things like wanting to go to the depot at 10 p.m. or later just to look at trains, etc. .

 

[amtrakrgrl]

Am I the only Amrtakr GIRL????!!!!

 

[whc6]

I am a very early 40s resident of beautiful Davidson, North Carolina. Currently employed in the service industry, I live with my wife and two large cats, live comfortably, and love to travel. I am also an avid (some would say quite insane) fan of Davidson College athletics and East Carolina Univ. football. (I am a former football player).

I took my first trip 37 years ago on the old Kansas City Southern Southern Belle from Mena, AR to New Orleans (and return). I have traveled by train on and off during the last 20 years, but became hooked on Amtrak about 5-6 years ago. Our "home" train is the Carolinian, which I have ridden a bit more than a dozen times. I have also taken the Crescent, and will take the Coast Starlight this Sunday. My favorite train thus far is the Thalys (northern Europe), followed closely by the Crescent.

Trains are civilized when compared to planes. I've flown a lot (My wife still has to fly for business - Ha!), and I am beginning to resent being pushed about like cattle. I like the slower pace, looking out the window, visiting the lounge car (beer!!!), the dining car, and the inevitable conversations with very interesting and, at times, quite bizarre people.

It's the only way to travel!

 

[Foodman53]

I'm 50 years old, and reside with my beautiful wife of 28 years in Fernandina Beach, Florida. I grew up in the old Seaboard/SCL/CSX railroad town of Baldwin, Florida..........thus, starting my love of the rails!!

After graduating from the University of Florida in the summer of 1975, I began a 5 year career with Amtrak, starting as an on-board service attendant(waiter, bartender, or coach attendant), ending up in Amtrak's Jacksonville reservations office, until it closed in 1979....moving those who would to Philadelphia!(me not included...not a cold weather person!!)

In 1979, I went to work as a district sales rep for Ralston Purina , calling on retail grocery stores and warehouses....in 1980, Purina moved us to Gainesville, where I managed a Gainesville/Ocala/Lake City/Inverness territory for the next 15 years.

In 1995, Purina consolidated(euphanism for "fired") its entire retail sales force, at which time I faced re-careering after my 40th birthday. I went back to college, picking up my "education" credits...and in 1997, started my 3rd post-college career as a high school teacher of American History, American Government, and Economics....which is what I do up to the present!

My wife and I have 3 adult children, and 2 granddaughters...ages 3 years, and 1 month.

On my way to work, if we're both lucky, #91 ....the southbound Silver Star, stops me about 1 block from work at approximately 7:15 am....and, if I stay after school for any reason...many times #98...the northbound Silver Meteor may also stop me at about 4:30pm.

I'm still a railfan after all these years. No, I don't think that long distace pasenger trains willl ever again be profitable....but, they can certainly be a viable transportation alternative.

Yours..from the "Florida Funnel"

Foodman53

 

[MrFSS]

I have just "found" this web site, so I'm a bit late responding to this topic, but perhaps some of you will see my response.

I am near 63, retired, and live in Central Kentucky. My love for trains began when I was a teenager in Lousiville in the 50's. A good friend of mine in high school was Jim Herron, now of Herron Rail Video. He and I spent many a Saturday behind Louisville Union Station (in those days no one cared that we wandered around out in the track area) and he continued the love for railroads and his business flourished over the years. We "found" each other on the internet a few years ago and remain in touch (isn't email great!)

Now that I am retired I have some more time to enjoy the hobby. I had taken a number of old slides back in the 50's and 60's and recently started digitizing them and enhancing as best they could be enhanced. They were taken with a Kodak Pony 135 camera and remained in storage for many years.

My wife and I are going to ride the Emipre Builder this fall (already have a delux bedroom) from Chicago to Seattle and then Portland on the Cost train. We are excited about this trip, and I hope to have some pictures and a report after we get back in September.

If you are interested, here is a link to my train pictures. Enjoy!

Tom's RR Pictures

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Welcome to the forum MrFSS. Guess you are well acquainted with the Humming Bird, the Pan American, the South Wind, etc. I grew up in Chattanooga(I am 59, still working) and the Dixie Flagler and the Georgian were my pet trains.

Good luck on your EB trip later this year.

 

[MrFSS]

Welcome to the forum MrFSS. Guess you are well acquainted with the Humming Bird, the Pan American, the South Wind, etc. I grew up in Chattanooga(I am 59, still working) and the Dixie Flagler and the Georgian were my pet trains.

Ineresting story about the Humming Bird. It went through Louisville very early in the AM. When my wife and I were first married (39 years ago) our apartment ws right across the streets from the L&N track east of Louisville. Many the morning my wife was awakend at 5:00 am to hear the whistle blow at the crossing. I had grown up near the RR but she hadn't. Took her a long time to get used to that before she could sleep through it!

I rode the SW once between Louisville and Chicago when I was about 8-9 years old. Don't remember much about it.

 

[Guest]

Mr. FSS: Wonderful 50s photos you have. And I loved seeing a couple of those old shark nosed diesels in the pix. Wow the trains in that period were colorful.

 

[RidesOften]

Am I the only Amrtakr GIRL????!!!!

Nope another one here!!

I am in my 50's that all the age you"ll get lol

I lived in Pa. and now in Florida,

Yes I am a railroader and love it

My grand father was 9 years old when he came from Italy and started working for Pennsylvania railroad. He was 58 when he retired and a track forman.

I guess Like grandfather and granddaughter.

He

Any other OBS out there!!!!

FLA TRAINS ARE FUN!!!!! h34r: h34r: h34r:

 

[RidesOften]

musical theatre (I have seen Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera each about 15 times) .

Bill,

Have you seen Phantom here in NYC in the specially altered theatre? Or just the traveling companies?

Gentlemen Have I seen you there?

This was worth the 5 times I went

Phatom love ( Rides Often)

h34r: h34r: h34r: h34r:

 

[Amtrak Watcher]

I am in no way connected with the railroads, and use Amtrak for purely practical reasons, which have become clear with my postings: comfort, convenience, ability to use travel time productively, and the opportunity to meet people. All of these are absent in the alternative modes of transportation.

I moved to the U.S. from Germany in 1995 after becoming independently wealthy years earlier, and have not had a job in decades. I run my own business and am a well-known and controversial personality in certain segments of the media.

 

[bsmith]

Hi, I'm Bob Smith

I stumbled across this site a few months ago and have enjoyed for weeks now. I live in Augusta, Georgia (Yea...Home of the Masters). I am 62 years old. Back in the 30's and 40's my Father worked for the Georgia Railroad (The last mixed passenger service ended with Amtrak). I remember well the transition from steam to diesel in the late 40's. I remember the first FP-7 being delivered about the same time as new geeps. I have racked up at least 10 coast to coast trips on Amtrak and numerous shorter trips during the last 30 years. I used to be a flight instructor and commercial pilot, but now turn my talents to television meteorology. I love trains but never considered a career on the railroad. I guess I was more fascinated by airplanes than trains. I enjoy reading the posts on this site.

 

[GG-1]

Am I the only Amrtakr GIRL????!!!!
Nope another one here!!

I am in my 50's that all the age you"ll get lol

I lived in Pa. and now in Florida,

Yes I am a railroader and love it

Aloha

There must be more, as on every trip, there are many I have enjoyed the time I have shared in pleasant conversation about where we have been or going and what we are seeing and doing.

I never described myself in this message section because even though I am aproaching 60 I don't know myself.

I started life in Haddon Heights, NJ moving to Philadelphia, New York, Manchester CN, Los Angeles, Then Hawaii. My earlier days got me interested in the "Standard Railroad of the world" and the Fantastic, Beautiful, and fast GG-1.

Since I was about 15 I have been in the shadows back stage helping singers, dancers and especially actors looking and sounding good. No matter what, as soon as I start to think "I have seen it all" the illusions show that there is so much to explore and learn.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

To Bsmith, you mention the Georgia R.R mixed train---I have actually ridden that myself and have referred to it on these posts. It was a very delightful trip though of course one has to be a die-hard railfan and in a very special mood to endure it and to actually want to do such a thing.

One odd thing I remember about it, the fares were frozen back at the time "normal" passenger service ceased. So, my train fare from ATl to Augusta was about $5 whereas my Greyound back to ATl next morning was about $30. Of course the Greyhound was about six hours faster.

I would frequently ride the Georgian (NC&STL and later L&N) from Chattanooga to Atl and the Augusta Ga. train(regular train) was always a connection to and from the Georgian in each direction. When I would hear the eastbound Ga. train plow through about 5 p.m. in ATL(it was nearly always early) I knew my Georgian would be boarding soon for its 6 p.m. departure.

 

[ATSFNewton]

I'm 48, and an Amtrak "regular." I travel a lot for business, and choose Amtrak over air every chance I get. Most of my travel is on the Southwest Chief or the Lake Shore Limited, but I travel a good bit to other points east and in Canada on Via.

I grew up as a Santa Fe brat. My father was a clerk, my maternal grandfather an engineer, and my paternal grandfather a conductor. There was a time when you could by a ticket on the Super Chief at the Newton station from my Dad, have my one grandfather punch the ticket once on board, while the other grandfather had his hand on the throttle. It was truly a family affair!

I had the great fortune of traveling a lot on the Santa Fe on some of the legendary trains: Kansas City Chief, Super Chief, El Cap, as well as hot shot mail trains (7 & 8), which always added a coach at the rear. I miss those days, but still consider Amtrak superior in comfort to the hassles of air travel.

Cheers!

 

[panamaclipper]

If I had room at home:

http://trainsale.com/index.htm