Bob has sent in these memories of his days on New York Central:

“My Dad was a dining car steward on the NY Central from 1941 to the end (1972 with AMTRAK). Great trips to Niagara Falls/Chicago/Boston/Cincinnati/and Buffalo on the Empire State Express, the New England States, the Ohio State Limited, the Pacemaker, North Shore and Lake Shore Limiteds.

I got to ride in the F-7 Diesels twice for about an hour each time. Great memory when my Dad opened the dining car service door and I leaned on the safety bar and watched three A units pull the New England States up a snowy Berkshire grade in western Mass.

Also, I would visit every station in Chicago to watch the trains while my Dad slept in the hotel for an afternoon layover. Watching the 20th Century Limited back into LaSalle Street Station in Chicago to get passengers for its 5PM departure–I can still see the blue-white light of the drumhead on the observation car (every train should have one!)as it backed toward me. Wandered around Union Station in Cincinnati taking pictures!

A cleaning crew let me hop on a C&O consist as it made a slow trip trough the car wash. Is there anything like a free orangeade in the club car as you did your homework on a winter day. I think not. Thanks, Dad.”

Thanks to everyone who has sent in their best railroading memories for publication. I am getting lots of amazing feedback from others in the hobby who are thoroughly enjoying the series. It seems that the articles have bought back many memories for everyone.

However, for those who have sent in their railroading memories for publication, please note, we have been swamped with submissions and it will take a few days to get them all published. So keep watching the blog as it is updated frequently and your memories will be published (provided they meet the publishing guidelines).

If you haven’t yet sent in your railroading memories, you can do so at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/memories.html

Peter sent in this story of his early days working for New Zealand Railways:

My name is Peter. In the early 1960s I joined the NZ Railways as a locomotive cleaner in Stratford, Taranaki, NewZealand.

The depot was based on the West coast of the Nth Island. We had branches going East, West North And South.

The steam locomotives at the time were a J class 4-8-2 oil burner, the Ab class 4-6-2 coal burner and a main line K class 4-8-4 mountain type oil burner.

The branch line to the East went to a place called Taumaranui. There were 26 tunnels on this line through some very rugged country.

The line out West, went to a place called Opunake on the coast. This line was serviced by the Ab class engine as the rail was very light.

I gained my firemans ticket within a couple of years and I can vividley remember roaring through one of the tunnels (up hill) at night, with the cab getting very hot and we seem to be fighting for breath all the way. After a while we got used to it as we knew that the end of the tunnel was not far away.

The great thing about working in the loco side of the railway is that there is something different happening every day, and there is always a story to tell.

William has sent in his best railroad memory:

“My first ever wild thing that happend to me as a young man was ride my first hundred truck on my own. The tonnage of that load was nearly ten thousand tons of ore from a station called Rooikop to the end station of Clewer in a steal factory called Transalloys near Witbank in the district of Mphumalang in South Africa. That my friends I can tell you, where out of the top shelfs of anybodys life span.”

Ron has fond memories of his childhood days watching steam engines billowing smoke and writes:

As a child growing up, I would spend time with my Grandfather in Glendale (near Los Angeles), California.

I have vivid memories of the trains, having left LA, heading north through Glendale. Although the house was probably a mile from the tracks, I would run out front to watch as they passed through the crossing.

The power of the giant steam engines “chugging” along with their many cars was a childs delight. I could feel the power of the engines pounding the air around me and see the huge clouds of billowing smoke passing back over the train.

It seemed as the trains were miles long, but you could depend on seeing another hard working engine toward the rear. It’s a shame those beautiful engines aren’t in service today, so powerful and so impressive.

Another special treat was the passing of the “Daylight” passenger trains. They were fast and sleek, moving as fast as a bullet. My only clue that they were coming was the sounds from their horns as they approached our crossing. I knew I had to get outside quickly or I would miss them for sure, which I did a few times.

Oh to be able to relive those days. I am seventy now, but those memories still are there for me to enjoy.

Miguel has contributed this touching story of his childhood memories around trains. Thanks for sharing Miguel.

“Early years of my youth, my grandmother used to take me to see the trains in la habana, cuba at a plant that used to be a nestle and hersey chocolate factory located in an area of habana called el cerro; and I remember looking at those big steam locomotives with all the cars.

I used to get so excited and very happy; there was another plant that used to make soap and gel for the mens hair, it was called crusellas, so all these trains were passing by speacialy in the afternoon, from where I used to live. It was maybe half of a mile and we used to go walking. For me at that time it was a great adventure.

I enjoyed the sound of those engines, the sound of the bell, the cloud of the steam, the little by little seeing the locomotive getting power and velocity, pulling all those cars , which I also use to count with my grand mother. It looked like they will never stop and then looking the last car or caboose dissapearing. I would not leave until the last car was gone!

Some times my grand mother used to tell me, “lets go Miguel” and I use to say to my grand mother; god be with her, “please grand mother lets stay a little longer”. My grand mother used to pull me, but I would fight with her because I loved to walk on the tracks.

From that time my passion for trains started. That is why I want to share with those who like this hobby, my grandmother’s name was Margarita. I missed those years. I hope you like my story because it is something very important and beautiful in my life. God bless you all. Miguel. “

Bob has sent in this story of how he got interested in trains:

“Hi to all. My first railway memory and one of the best was in my home country England. My brother and I would go down to the train yard were we lived and watch the big steamers come in. Standing on that old stone bridge with the steam from the big locos blowing in our faces. The excitment was all to much.

We came to AUSTRALIA at 14yo to work on farms. My brother went onto a farm just out of Corowa NSW and I went onto a place called Daysdale NSW. One day while I was working in a paddock I heard the sound of a steam whistle looked up and I said thank you to the train for helping me to start a new life in AUSTRALIA and one day I will own a train. Well now I do… 32 HO locos… keep on whistling.”

If you would like to submit your train memories for publication go to http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/memories.html

Reader Robert has sent in this story of the day the Circus Train stopped at his house:

“When I lived in Manville N.J. in the Valley section of town. We had a cape cod style home along the Reading Rail Road line. Our home was 35 feet from the tracks. My small yard was 80′ X 60′ with an access driveway on the right side of the house. It went to the small roadway behind the house and allong the tracks. I lived there with My Wife and 2 boys. At that time they were 4 & 8yrs old.

One day the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailies Circus train came by on it’s way to N.Y.City. It had to slow down and even stopped at one point. Rob 8 & Matt 4 were thrilled to see the animal cars go slowly by and all the equipment cars. We watched for what seemed like hours. They were so excited naming the animals. We got a chance to wave to workers and some of the people that preformed the acts. A few miles ahead was a crossing of another line it was the reason for the slow down. We didn’t care it was exciting and interesting to watch. The boys will have that memory forever and so will I.

Another Train we enjoyed counting was the Tropacana train. Hundreds of orange colored cars filled with Orange juice would go by once or twice/year. Not as exciting but a great counting exercize. “

Herb recalls the steam engines pulling Iron Ore in Ohio and shares this memory with readers:

“I live and grew up in Ashtabula, OH, USA. I remember two Steam engines in front, one in the middle and one or two at the end pulling Iron ore out of Ashtabula Harbor. Also, the Astabula Carfery took coal cars to Canada. It had twin screws and did not need any Tugs. It was built in 1917. We would go to Point Park and watch it come through the Lift bridge on the Ashtabula River. This all brings back a lot of memories.”

Jean share her memories of trains in Belgium, France and Brazil and writes:

I have many remembrances of trains when growing up in Belgium as well as France and Brazil. Here are a couple.

Just before WW2, waiting on a platform at Mons with my parents, a very unusual engine went by. It was, in current terms a 0-6-0, with a very tall stack, gleaming copper fittings, a semi open driver position. I have never seen another one like it except in movies of the 1880s in the American West, or pictures of some GWR in the UK

Another one. Between Rio de Janeiro and the summer towns of Petropolis and Teresopolis in the Serra da Mantiqueira, 40 miles north of Rio and as high as 7000 feet (the towns are at about 3000 feet), British engineers in the late XIX century had built a meter gage system (similar to South African RR), called the Leopoldina Railway. From Rio to the foot of the mountain, the track ran across lowlands. At Raiz da Serra ( Mountain Foothill), the trains were broken into sets of two carriages and each set pushed up the steep slope by a cog steam engine. At the crest, about 1200 feet , (sometimes in the midst of clouds) the train was reassembled and another steam engine took it down to Petropolis. For Teresopolis, a similar system prevailed, plus the fact that the track ran in the middle of the main street.

What I found fascinating, coming down from there one day and looking out the downhill side window, in the curves, to slow the train , the engine at point had huge brake shoes on both sides of the central cog rail, which threw plenty of sparks. The engines had a spark catcher smokestack and carriages were open at both ends to a balcony, and looked exactly like the ones in Western movies. There were two classes, First and Second, both very dusty and distinct only in that First had woven straw seats and Second had wooden benches.

A well retold joke went like this, given that the trains would speed up going downhill and slow down considerably going up.

Q: “‘What is the difference between First and Second class?”

A: “When you get to a lombada (hill climb) the conductor will come through and shout: Second class passengers get out and push the train “.

If you would like to share your railroad memories go to http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/memories.html and add your thoughts.

Gordon has sent in some memories of the Lambert Fuel Yard owned by his Dad in Canada and writes:

“My father owned a fuel yard in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. It was called Lambert Fuel and was served by steam and diesel trains. I watched them deliver the coal cars and spot them in front of the coal bins for my Dad to unload. There was many different kinds of coal stored at Lamber Fuel.

Some times the train crew would come and have coffee with my Dad and operate my model railway which was 0 and 027. They seemed to have greater fun operating my train set then there own. I would get rides in the cab of the engines to the rail yard across the street from the Fuel Yard, now know as the Forks. I used to stand along the tracks and watch they switch the cars and wave at the engineer.

My Dads Fuel Yard is gone now and is the home of the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball field, home of The Fish.

Gene is in the process of getting a Western Maryland HO train set for his grandson and has kindly sent in these fond memories of his early years in West Virginia. Gene writes:

I grew up in West Virginia seeing the freight trains pull 50 and 70 ton hoppers up and down the mountains. On the steeper or longer grades, I’d see trains pulled by two engines up front and one engine pushing in the rear.

The Era was: 1940-52. My age: 8 – 20 years. Location: Morgantown, WV

I remember watching frieght trains hauling coal. I enjoyed hearing the “Woooooo, Wooooo” of the air horns in the late evening echoing through the mountains.

On the steeper or longer grades, two engines pulled from the front and one engine pushed from the rear.

Frieght: 90% was coal. Rust colored hoppers, 50 tons or 70 tons, depending on whether it had two V V or 3 V V V from the bottom.

There was an occasional gondola and ‘box car.’ Always with a caboose.

Most of the cars were “PRR”, Pennsylvania Railroad.

I also rember the passenger trains:
Cars painted dark brown to match the heavy dust from the engine, which would pour through the open windows during warm weather.

Seats were heavily upholsterd with hard stuffing. But the ride smooth, since we were on tracks.

Summer: Lots of dust and smoke and noise coming through the open windows.
As a kid I loved it. About 5 people in the car.

Conductor in typical uniform punched our tickets.
[A well dressed man, angry because he had not been recognized as an important person, scoffed, “My face is my ticket!” So the conductor punched it. Whoops, just kidding about this.]

My mother and I would ride a few miles to Hildebrand, WV to visit my grandmother. The journey was less than 10 miles. I loved to ride the train. Fare: 20cents each way.

The passenger train was “B&O”, Baltimore and Ohio.

These are very pleasant memories of my childhood and the trains.

If you would like to share some of your best railroad memories please use the form at http://www.model-railroad-resources.com/memories.html

I’m sure others would like to hear of your experiences on trains.

Mark is new to model railroading and is asking for help from anyone in the hobby who is prepared to give his some guidance. Mark asks:

“I am new to model trains, my track runs dcc I think it is called. What is the best way to connect the wire to the track, also what type of wire should I be using. I am disabled so putting the wire underneath the track would be extremely difficult. I thought of soldering the wire, as I have a small soldering iron, and I could do that. I just dont know how far apart the feeder wires should be and the types of wire for all the track. Thank you to anyone who can help me.”

If you can give Mark some tips or guidance please do so. Simply register (it takes just 2 minutes) by using the Comments & Feedback link under Mark’s posting. You can then add your thoughts and participate in future Model Train Blog discussions.

David from Australia operates Hornby trains and would like to hear from anyone who shares his interest. David is trying to locate Hornby parts and asks readers:

“I collect, restore and use Hornby 3 rail loco’s which where made through the 1950’s and 60’s.(HO/OO). Although the track, loco’s and carriages are easily obtained, motor parts and front boggie wheels are hard to come by. I can remove them from other trains, but it means one less useable loco, and they are becoming expensive and scarce. Does anybody know where I may be able to purchase these parts?”

If you can help David – simply click on the Comments & Feedback link below David’s posting. Then register (if you haven’t already done so. It only takes 2 minutes and then you can join the discussions on this Model Train Blog site.

Thomas asked in response to the earlier posting on funicular rail cars:

“I saw a picture of some funicular cars in the Q & A section of this site. Can someone tell me who makes them? I am going to build the Johnstown PA Inclined Plane in my layout and would like to buy cars to run on it.”

Please note: If you want to comment on this posting (or a previous posting), please use the Comments and Feedback link below the particular posting. It takes just 2 minutes to register and then you can participate in future discussion on this blog.

Following on from an earlier question (published a couple of weeks ago), Warren has a question for readers interested in building a Rack Railway and asks:

Brian has an unusal question someone might like to tackle:

“I am almost ready to start putting my first train layout and I want to integrate an HO
scale slot car track with the train layout but I am having trouble finding a slot car track fo a rr crossing and wanted to ask if and where I can get a couple of that track peices before I start hacking up track trying to make one on my own.”

Everette has a question for readers about the value of trains and presenting them for sale and asks:

“I will be inhereting my fathers train collection. My question is: Is it better to keep the original boxes for the engines and rolling stock or discard them? Does having the original box up the value of the trains or sets of trains that he has?”

Everette, there is a section in the Model Train Help Ebook that answers your question.

Readers can contribute an answer or suggestion using the green Comments & Feedback link below this posting from Everette.