Most interesting encounter(s) on a train

[vinceg723]

Have you read some of Al Runte's writings? Also, Henry Kisor's Zephyr?

I've read Kisor's Zephyr, and I just received my copy of Al Runte's Allies of the Earth.

I'm also a huge fan of Jenny Diski's Stranger on a Train. My favorite line: "There was not the slightest possibility, I realised as I stubbed out my last cigarette of the evening on the platform of Chemult station, of coming across anyone who led the kind of uneventful and routine life that the vast majority of humanity were supposed to lead. Wherever these hoards of the normal were, they didn’t travel by train. Or not on my trains.”

 

[railiner]

One of the most interesting diner table mates I’ve ever had the pleasure of being seated across, was the late Rogers E M Whitaker, AKA “E M Frimbo - ‘the world’s greatest railroad buff’”.
He had a fascinating life, and I prize my copy of his book, “All Aboard With E M Frimbo.

I just learned of his testimony to save (Penn Central) long distance trains, in this wiki article.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_E._M._Whitaker

Needless to say, the dinner time passed way too quickly.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Gotta be the Late,Great John Madden on the California Zephyr.

He was in the E Bedroom in my Car( I was in a Roomette)and when I heard his Voice in the Hall yelling " The Bars Open/ the Beers are on Me!" I knew it was him, so I went to the Sightseer Lounge where several folks were already having a few Adult Beverages, and down the Stairs to the Cafe where he was standing by the LSA telling him that the Check was on him, whatever we wanted.

After getting a couple ( )of Beers( he was spokeman for Miller Lite @ the Time but I can't remember what Brand I got), we went upstairs and the Party began as 15 people filled the Tables and listened to him telling fascinating Stories,some even about Football!

Later that evening( after a Nap!) I was fortunate enough to be seated @ his table for Dinner in the Diner, and needless to say, it was something to remember always!

I've met lots of Celebrities and Famous people in my Life, and I can honestly say none were more Friendly,Gracious,Generous and seemed so much like a Regular person who liked other People!

RIP John! Next one's on me!

 

[Amtrak709]

One of the most interesting diner table mates I’ve ever had the pleasure of being seated across, was the late Rogers E M Whitaker, AKA “E M Frimbo - ‘the world’s greatest railroad buff’”.
He had a fascinating life, and I prize my copy of his book, “All Aboard With E M Frimbo.

I just learned of his testimony to save (Penn Central) long distance trains, in this wiki article.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_E._M._Whitaker

Needless to say, the dinner time passed way too quickly.

railiner: Thank you for that post. I sadly must admit I had never heard of Mr. Frimbo. I have always been proud of my 375,000 miles, BUT 2.2 million. WOW.
I just ordered his book from Amazon which will be here on Sunday. Thanks again!

 

[Willbridge]

One of the most interesting diner table mates I’ve ever had the pleasure of being seated across, was the late Rogers E M Whitaker, AKA “E M Frimbo - ‘the world’s greatest railroad buff’”.
He had a fascinating life, and I prize my copy of his book, “All Aboard With E M Frimbo.

I just learned of his testimony to save (Penn Central) long distance trains, in this wiki article.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_E._M._Whitaker

Needless to say, the dinner time passed way too quickly.

I met "E. M. Frimbo" in Edmonton when I was with the transit system. Our LRT line's 4½ mile original segment was new mileage to be entered in his notebook. He had last visited the city in 1943 when he served as an officer in Transportation Corps (by direct commission!). He asked me some questions, but the funniest deadpan line from him was when we came up the escalator in Central Station and he tried to orient himself amidst the high-rise buildings - "It's changed."

 

[Eric in East County]

One of the most interesting diner table mates I’ve ever had the pleasure of being seated across, was the late Rogers E M Whitaker, AKA “E M Frimbo - ‘the world’s greatest railroad buff’”.
He had a fascinating life, and I prize my copy of his book, “All Aboard With E M Frimbo.

I just learned of his testimony to save (Penn Central) long distance trains, in this wiki article.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_E._M._Whitaker

Needless to say, the dinner time passed way too quickly.

I had never heard of him before your post. Based on everybody's favorable comments on his book, I just ordered my own copy and am looking forward to reading it.

 

[basketmaker]

This was my most interesting Amtrak trip:
Local LEO do board Amtrak trains! A few years ago I booked a quick ride for fun and relaxation from FMG to EMY and back in a roomette. The return the following day. Well that apparently triggers certain computers like Amtrak, NCIS and DEA to that could be a drug/money mule type of itinerary. Well, shortly out of RNO on #5 a gentleman came up behind me as I was taking pics in the lounge car. There was another gentleman with him. Both dressed in t-shirts and shorts. The first guy bent over and quietly ask me if I was Karl which I of course said yes. He raised the bottom of his t-shirt to expose a Reno Police Department badge. I thought that I may have taken a picture or several maybe on the RNO platform of some criminal activity. He explained to me why he was on the train and that was he and his colleagues were part of the Reno PD Drug Interdiction Task Force. And that my itinerary had been flagged. Nicely ask if I would allow them to check my baggage and if could pat me down. I said absolutely and to follow me to the trans/dorm #24 at the front of the train. He and the other officer followed me to my room. They waited until we got there and did a normal frisk of me. Then ask if they could go through my luggage which was fine with me. Only had a small bag and camera bag. They checked it and said thank you. I said no thank you (I've worn "Blue Lives Matter" bracelet for several years) and that I sincerely appreciate what they do. I did ask him if they did this every day and how far do they ride? He said they go out to Truckee and then back on #6 maybe once or twice a week. I did notice that the other two officers did apparently pinch a couple of young men as they escorted them off the train at TRU. Guess is they maybe had some weed on their person. Some these days would be all up in arms for being "profiled" but I think it is a great tool for law enforcement! Gotta say this was one of the best and most memorable Amtrak excursions. Loved it.

 

[railiner]

I had never heard of him before your post. Based on everybody's favorable comments on his book, I just ordered my own copy and am looking forward to reading it.

Gee…maybe I should ask his heirs for a cut of the royalties?

 

[railiner]

Gotta be the Late,Great John Madden on the California Zephyr.

He was in the E Bedroom in my Car( I was in a Roomette)and when I heard his Voice in the Hall yelling " The Bars Open/ the Beers are on Me!" I knew it was him, so I went to the Sightseer Lounge where several folks were already having a few Adult Beverages, and down the Stairs to the Cafe where he was standing by the LSA telling him that the Check was on him, whatever we wanted.

After getting a couple ( )of Beers( he was spokeman for Miller Lite @ the Time but I can't remember what Brand I got), we went upstairs and the Party began as 15 people filled the Tables and listened to him telling fascinating Stories,some even about Football!

Later that evening( after a Nap!) I was fortunate enough to be seated @ his table for Dinner in the Diner, and needless to say, it was something to remember always!

I've met lots of Celebrities and Famous people in my Life, and I can honestly say none were more Friendly,Gracious,Generous and seemed so much like a Regular person who liked other People!

RIP John! Next one's on me!

Absolutely agree!
I’ve had the good fortune to ride the SFZ three different times when Madden was on board.
Unlike most celebrities that still rode long distance trains, but “hibernated” in their bedrooms, John loved to be amongst the people, and usually “held court” entertaining his audience with great stories about football.
He knew almost every crew member by name, and on a few occasions, would lead an entourage across the street into a local tavern and delight its patrons for a “quick one” during a crew change or servicing stop.

John rode during the transition from old steam heated equipment to the new Superliners.
When I told him that they would soon be in service, he answered, “I’ll believe it when I see it”. The next time I saw him aboard one, I reminded him, and got a laugh when I said, “Do you believe it now?”

For anyone with no knowledge of this great character, this article may provide some insight.

https://vault.si.com/.amp/vault/198...man-show-of-ex-coach-john-madden-on-the-rails

 

[Freddy320]

I haven't had the pleasure for an interesting or strange encounter yet on Amtrak though I've had friends and heard others that have. so far though I don't travel as much as I would like it's been a pleasant experience. Only thing I would say that was interesting on a train was outside of Penn Station in Manhattan, NYPD had a female in handcuffs who was spitting on people at the station, she kept screaming that she was seeing demon's, and was trying to send them back.

 

[alpha3]

Gotta be the Late,Great John Madden on the California Zephyr.

He was in the E Bedroom in my Car( I was in a Roomette)and when I heard his Voice in the Hall yelling " The Bars Open/ the Beers are on Me!" I knew it was him, so I went to the Sightseer Lounge where several folks were already having a few Adult Beverages, and down the Stairs to the Cafe where he was standing by the LSA telling him that the Check was on him, whatever we wanted.

After getting a couple ( )of Beers( he was spokeman for Miller Lite @ the Time but I can't remember what Brand I got), we went upstairs and the Party began as 15 people filled the Tables and listened to him telling fascinating Stories,some even about Football!

Later that evening( after a Nap!) I was fortunate enough to be seated @ his table for Dinner in the Diner, and needless to say, it was something to remember always!

I've met lots of Celebrities and Famous people in my Life, and I can honestly say none were more Friendly,Gracious,Generous and seemed so much like a Regular person who liked other People!

RIP John! Next one's on me!

Ah, damn! Being the football crazed person that I am, I would have absolutely been thrilled to have had that experience with the great John Madden; great story Bob Dylan!!

 

[Barb Stout]

My sister and I took the Sunset Limited to New Orleans for a week and then back to Deming, New Mexico. On our return trip, we noticed some red, white, and blue bunting decorating a booth in the dining car. We asked a staff persona about it, and she said that there was a VIP on board. The VIP was the oldest surviving member of the Pearl Harbor attack and was returning from New Orleans where some kind of non-profit group funded by some movie celebrity (can't remember who as I don't follow Hollywood stuff) had brought him and the other few survivors to go to the WWII museum in New Orleans. He celebrated his 105th birthday that week and WAS STILL WALKING (with a cane) ON THE TRAIN! I was so impressed. He did have Amtrak staff in front of him and behind him every time he was walking except for the one time he escaped from his daughter who was traveling with him and we saw him walk by our roomette without anyone else. The kicker of the whole story (IMO) is that my sister and I were at that same WWII museum the same time he and his group were, but I didn't know it at the time. When we were there at the museum, I did see a group of veterans (walkers, wheelchairs, etc) enter one of the exhibits and a man comes running in and asks "Are there members of the press still here?" I therefore took off to another exhibit because I didn't want any pictures inadvertently taken of me. But then when I met Mr. Joseph Eskanazi on the Sunset Limited, I realized that was the group.

I will tell you that the Amtrak staff took very good care of Mr. Eskanazi. He was very friendly and enjoyed talking to people, so we had several conversations with him and his daughter.

Edit: I found this news report while googling Joseph Eskanazi. Oldest living Pearl Harbor survivor, Joseph Eskenazi of Redondo Beach, marks 105th birthday. And now that I have read this article, it seems he was on the same train as we were both coming and going to New Orleans. I only found out about and saw him on the return trip.

 

[cirdan]

What a very moving story. It really brings history to life to have experienced the brave people who were actually there.