Just thought I'd post a bit of irrelevant information on my day today: my brother convinced me to chase a train!

But not just any train... Canadian Pacific has restored a a 1930 Steam locomotive to absolutely pristine condition, and runs it on various promotional tours around Canada on main line track. Although I am not a train enthusiast (waiting for my RX8 takes too much of my time...), I had never seen a live steam locomotive before, and was itching to see, hear, and smell one live.

For any of you interested in the history of industry, or the romantic power of the steam era, or heck, just big-a$$ed raw power, if you ever have the opportunity to see one of these things moving TAKE IT! We chased this engine from Hamilton, Ontario, to London Ontario (about a 100 mile journey) just to catch it at level crossings, get video and pictures, and generally enjoy the sights and sounds of the rail industry as it stopped existing nearly half a century ago. Interestingly, we had train enthusiasts from as far away as Pennsylvania chasing this sucker with us. Got lots of great pictures, one of which I have included here. While we spent about an hour at its destination getting static pictures, the truly impressive thing is to watch this incredible piece of raw power in motion. As you know, steam engines are almost non-existent in North America, but apparently it is extremely rare to see them run on main line (or commercially used) track.

Well, it was a good way to pass another day without my 8!:)

That's almost as quirky as chasing tornadoes.. :p

Did ever catch while it was stopped at a station?

lol... yeah, some of these train people are pretty hard core... I gotta admit though, I was pretty jazzed about this steam thing... must be just me...??...

Here are a couple of static pics...

Can anybody identify the year and make of car?

Unsure about the car - perhaps an Auburn??

As for steam engines, what a terrific way to spend the day! That is a very nice example of a steam engine. For those of you within a few hours of the Colorado Springs/Denver area, there is a terrific opportunity to experience steam engines. There is a regularly run tour on a narrow guage track from Silverton to Toltec, thru the Colorado Rockies. Not only is the train authentic and unusual example, the scenery is magnificent. Kids will love it! In the winter time the will clear the track using a steam-powered rotary snow plow! Truly amazing!

Even if you're not into trains, taking a ride like that is like stepping back in time. Reading, looking at pictures, and seeing movies is one thing, but experiencing it yourself is another.

---jps

I'm going with '36 Ford Cabriolet

The wife & I several years back had the opportunity to take a train ride from Huntsville Alabama to Chattanooga Tennessee, with a coal-fired steam locomotive pulling us in old dining cars.

It was a day long event, and an unbelievable experience.

If you have the opportunity, take advantage of it.

Like you, there were many onlookers along the way.

Those pics make me want to pick up my train hobby again.. :( Chooo chooo... :D