We happened to come at the right time to the Old Town train station in Sacramento. We did not see this train with a steam engine before.
Steam engines are very intriguing to me. They belong in fairy tales as far as I'm concerned. We, were like everyone else strolling in the street and upon a whistle that begin to blow and a cloud of steam rising above the roof of the platform, everyone started flocking that direction .
This must be a fascinating photo for people who know about these engines.
Click on image for a larger view
Do you see the reflection of the people on the platform? And the flash of our camera...because it was very dark on the platform.
All Aboard? Yes, Then let's move this baby!
15 comments:
Lucky you to see the locomotive!
When I was little, our apartment was just across the street from the railroad. I still remember the coal-burning steam engines--their choo choo sound, the smell of the black smoke, how the engineer would wave to me ...
You are right, it is the stuff of fairytales.
I love those old steam engine trains! Their whooo-hooooo makes me feel very nostalgic - must be from all those old movies I watched when I was young.
I see the reflections in the train - at first I thought the guy in the cowboy hat was painted on the train!
Jeannette, I've really enjoyed this post - I too love steam engines and I'm extremely lucky to live not far from two different steam railways lines. Both trundle their way at weekends and everyday in season through lovely countryside which now hides from view the industrial past the railway used to serve. I love your photo with the reflections of passengers waiting on the platform:)
What is it about trains, Jeannette, that we all find so fascinating - especially steam ones with their wonderful sounds and smells.
I absolutely love trains. The train system is incredibly well developed in Europe and the prediction is that high speed trains will soon pose a serious competitions to planes.
And what can be more romantic that steam engines?
Lovely pictures.;)
Have a great weekend,
xo
Zuzana
I Love Trains! The sound, everything - I must take a train trip one day!
(thanks for the B'day wishes!)
Trains of every sort are a fascinating subject. They are also my favourite form of commute.
In many places the Railroad Authority offers both steam and diesel train excursions reminiscent of days gone by.
Dina,
Your memory works better than mine:) Because of your comment I remembered that I lived close to the railway between 5 and 10 years of age. Sometimes the whistle would wake me up at night, but it was a familiar sound, so I went right back to sleep.
Clytie,
Yeah, Clytie, that I am able to reminisce about this nostalgia reveals my age!!
when I saw the pic for the first time, I thought the same, that it was painted on, but in my other pics I didn't see that cowboy hat...tricky huh?
Rosie,
lucky you! I am surprised that they are able to keep them working -I guess enough people make use of it? Yes, the photo with the reflections seems to be the popular one!
Weaver,
My guess it's the memory of something regular and familiar of the past?
Zuzanna,
Wow, that's interesting -I didn't know that. Maybe it is because the distances are too short for planes to keep costs down? I agree -this is my romantic side (I don't have that about too many things:) ).
Kathryn,
Promise me that you'll take a train ride before your 60thMe birthday! Hope you're having a special day:)
Duta,
In Holland they were the quickest form of transportation, especially to cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam with long lines of traffic to get in, and the high parking fees!
But here in the States it is still "in the development" stage -still a lot of connections are missing. What most people do here is commute by car, or live close to their work.
I have always found steam engines fascinating. I loved riding on them when I was a child.
Your photos are lovely.
Fabulous images and reflections. I love the people and the steam in the last one.
My husband is a huge train buff and he would have loved to have been one of the people reflected on this train. Wonderful photos!
A very nice post, Jeanette! I went to school by train for 8 years, but, of course, at that time steam engines were only a rare sight! But we still have some of them in the mountains bringing people on the top.
Pam,
Thanks for the visit...got to go back to your blog and read more. I felt a kindred spirit when you told how you go to great lengths to take a pic! Glad the trains are good memories!
Diane,
Thank you Friend! Glad you like the reflections and the steam!
Dutchbaby,
Thanks -but nothing compared to your lion pics!!Does your hubby go with you on these wild travels in Africa? For some reason you "rolled off" my bloglist, till I found you back through one of your comments -glad to have you back on!
Maria,
Oh wow, so a train ride is a very familiar thing to you! Between 6 and 10 years of age I lived near a railroad track, and in my teens I also traveled by train to have additional education, but not as long as you though!
I am surprised that in some countries in Europe they still have the steam trains in use.
I went to Old Town in Sacramento and also to the Train Museum. You brought back some memories today. Good ones, I must say.
Irene,
OOh yes, I completely forgot about that Museum (I believe it's in Balboa Park?) Anyways, glad it was a good memory for you:) And glad you've recuperated from the flu!! Take care, friend!
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