My Wise Old Grandmother

My hometown of Kingsville, Texas, was a major
hub for the Missouri Pacific Railroad since
Kingsville was a major gateway for getting crops
out of the Rio Grande Valley.

When my father died in 1960, he was a Road
Foreman of Engines for Missouri Pacific. At the
time we lived in Palestine, Texas, although I
believe we were going to move to Gurdon,
Arkansas, because of a promotion. I think my
three uncles also worked for Missouri Pacific in
Kingsville during summers and weekends, and my
grandfather retired in 1969 from a lifetime career
with the Missouri Pacific.

So why the picture of a Union Pacific engine
instead of Missouri Pacific on this page? Well, I
was almost five when my dad died, and my mom
moved us to Logan, Utah, because that’s where
her mother lived, and northern Utah is where
mom’s side of the family were originally from.
It was during my formative years there in northern
Utah that I fell in love with railroads, specifically
the Union Pacific. I remember skipping school
and heading out to the gravel pits just outside of
Brigham City. I would sit all day at the top of the
gravel hills and watch the Union Pacific trains
go by. If I had a spare penny, it usually got
“smushed” on the railroad tracks while the
engineer shook his fist and yelled at me out the
engine cab window. Occasionally some friends
would skip school and join me. I was the leader,
though, especially when it came to truancy.

During my travels, I make it a point to visit rail
yards, historic depots, and train museums, as well
as riding on whatever commuter trains and tourist
trains are available. For example, I remember in
1978 when I went to Chicago to attend the
national convention of the American Philatelic
Society (I guess I don’t have to say that I
specialized in Railroad Postal History). I checked
in at my hotel, registered at the convention, and
took oof to ride the Chicago Transit Authority, the
“L.” In nine glorious days I rode every line to
every point, everywhere the L went, multiple
times. Although it turned out to be an expensive
trip, it was one of the most enjoyable nine days
I’ve ever strung together. Just doing nothing ‘cept
ridin’ the trains!

I’m fortuntate to live in San Diego where there are
a lot of commuter trains and a historic train just 45
minutes away. I ride the San Diego Trolley from
La Mesa to downtown San Diego, the Coaster up
to Oceanside, and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner up to
Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The Sprinter
from Oceanside to Escondido began operations in
February 2008.

My favorite trains include Amtrak’s Sunset
Limited from Houston to New Orleans. The
very slow trek over the Mississippi River on
the Huey P. Long Bridge and down the long
incline into New Orleans is something else!.

For the sheer thrill of the ride, the magnificent
scenery, and the history behind the train, the
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway in
southwestern Colorado is second to none.

Other favorites of mine include the Royal Gorge
Route Railroad, the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway,
and the Incline Railway at the Royal Gorge Bridge
and Park, all in Colorado. However, the one train
that I have not ridden that might overtake the
Durango & Silverton for scenic beauty is the
Rocky Mountaineer in British Columbia and
Alberta, Canada.