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Interesting vintage train story:
In late 1945, when my Dad, who was in the Army Air Corps, came home from Europe at the end of WW II, he arrived in New York City. He went to the train station to begin the journey from NYC back home to the little, mountain community of Nebo in western NC. When he got to the ticket counter, the agent asked where he was going. My Dad said, "Nebo, NC." He said the ticket agent immediately pulled one ticket after the next, never looking at any reference as to what train connections needed to be made. Absolutely amazed that the ticket agent could make all those train connections from NYC to the obscure little township of Nebo, he just had to ask, "how in the world could you make all those connections without looking anything up?"
The ticket agent replied, "because I just spent 15 minutes getting connections for that guy right over there."
My Dad said he turned around and to his surprise saw his next door neighbor, Charlie McGimpsey, who was in the Navy. They haden't seen each other since my Dad was drafted in April, 1943.
How many others here, have dreamed of having their own caboose in the backyard? I know I would! Thanks, Blackhorn.
I'm glad you're enjoying it, Bro.
Here is "New York World's Fair, railroad exhibit locomotives." From 1939
I have mixed emotions about the streamlining movement of the '30s / '40s of trains as (1) there is a muscular honesty to just seeing the engine in all its functioning glory and (2) many of the streamlining efforts where slipshod, but there is no arguing with the above - man that is gorgeous.
British trains embraced both streamlining and aerodynamic styling. Here's The Coronation Scot, achieving 115mph.I have to agree with you, FF about the mixed emotions, FF. While this locomotive is beautiful, I love the more classic lines of the older styles.
British trains embraced both streamlining and aerodynamic styling. Here's The Coronation Scot, achieving 115mph.
And here's Mallard the train that still holds the world record for a steam train. 126mph.
[video=youtube;G42iDG8PeiE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G42iDG8PeiE[/video]