By Dr. Richard Banz
The holidays make trains even more special. Toy trains above all have become synonymous with holiday tradition. How many of us remember that special holiday layout under the tree or marveling at toy trains through shop windows or in public displays?
A great way to rekindle that spirit (and love for trains that so many of us have) is to visit our Trains, Trains, Trains event on Jan. 19. This is a great way to experience a variety of operating miniature train layouts, real train artifacts, hands on train-related activities, railroad themed shopping and railroad music – all in one place!
Do you have a special train or model train story relating to the holidays that you are willing to share with us at the Southern Museum? If so, we would love to hear about it. Please feel free to e-mail directly or to post in the comment field below.
Dr. Richard Banz is executive director of The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History.
I was lucky to work at Astroworld Amusement Park in Houston in the early 70′s. I spent several summers as a Engineer on the “610 Limited”, a 3/4 scale 442 steam locomotive. I loved the job, especially the holidays (1976 was a great summer–the old engine got a new paint job and looked wonderful). I think that the 610 Limited is no a static display in the Houston Astros Ballpark. If anyone has any furthe info I would love to hear it.
When I was six in the early sixties, my dad took our family to Chattanooga on a working trip for him. We visited Civil War battlefields and other tourist sites. We visited the National Military Cemetery, there on a hill sat a old train engine. My brother took me to it and I played on it for a while until my dad called for us to leave. I said good bye to the engine, I notice it had a name “The General” didn’t mean much to me until I learned what the The General really was. This past year, I saw the General again in it’s home in Kennesaw, Ga. My love of trains begin then and still I love to watch and see trains everywhere today.
I grew up in the 60′s in Baltimore. I remember firehouses that set up a huge train layout. I mean the WHOLE firehouse was used. One section had a rocket ship that would lift off up a wire to the ceiling, then lower back down to the launch pad. I loved looking at the scenes built as well as the trains going round and round.
I grew up with Lionel trains. Had them for about 25 years. N I am into G scale gardenroading.
Many fond memories of model rr. My father would take me to Lionel hdqtrs in new yorl city at christmas.
I also remember the train gardenns in Maryland, firehouses and peoples rowhouses.
I will never forget my very first school field trip that encluded a train ride from Osceola to Blytheville, Arkansas…..I was just six years old and in the first grade. I remember vividly the ride on the brand new, or least it looked brand new to me, 1950′s era streamlined diesel engine and was so surprised to find my grandfather as the conductor on the Frisco! I also remember that at the end of the train ride we were treated with ice cream cones! This just goes to show that no matter how old you are, you never forget your very first train ride! I hope to see some of you at Trains, Trains, Trains on Saturday, January 19th at the Southern Museum.
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