Walking and Riding the Rails

Have you ever walked on those wooden railroad ties between the steel rails? Smell the creosote wafting from the ties? Walk stretches of railroad tracks as they cross over a high bridge? Yes, I’m sure many of you share this experience if you lived or grew up in a railroad town in the ‘50’s as I did.

                                                            
One of my early childhood memories is walking with Daddy on those railroad ties. He liked being daring and I liked it too. I’m sure when I wasn’t with him he was much more daring.

As we were walking the railroad bed early one spring morning, Daddy, wearing his blue overall jacket and cap, turned and said, “Anna, bend down and press your ear to the track.” I did. The steel was cold. He asked if I could hear anything. “Nope.” When a train is coming you can usually hear it through the steel rails. Daddy knew the daytime schedule trains rumbled through the Woodbine area since he worked on the L&N. I never felt fear or panic when I was walking the rails with him. But I did feel a thrill. (My brother Eddie wanted me to touch my tongue to the tracks of his O scale model train layout-but that’s another childhood memory tale)…

We fished near the railroad bed in the Woodbine/Corbin area. I think it was the brick pond- rather murky. I don’t remember catching much. But I sure loved being out in the wilds/thickets of Whitley County with the train track nearby.

Later as an adult I got to ride the rails in Alaska. No putting my ear to the steel this time! We rode the White Pass/Yukon RR, a popular route for tourists.

The narrow gauge railroad– built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush days- is referred to the “railway built of gold.”

You get the thrills of a perfect train ride. Over high bridges and wooden trestles and through two tunnels, the train climbs 3000 ft in about 20 minutes. The vintage parlor cars offer one way to view the spectacular panorama –mountain peaks and summits, crystal clear waterfalls, deep gorges, and Alaskan glaciers. Joan (one of trio making the trip) chose to be inside. Or, you can stand on the small swaying outdoor platforms. Carolyn and I chose to be a little daring. Oh what a view. Oh what a ride. Oh what a thrill. Yes, I wished Daddy could have ridden with us. I’ll bet he was in the vicinity.

We plan to take my granddaughters – Eve & Sophie on the Gatorland Express this fall. It will be a calmer train ride than the WP&YR, but lots of fun for them and me. My grandson –Asher has already ridden the rails with “Thomas.” We are keeping the love of trains in the family!