My first trip on the Northeast Corridor was when my mother took me and my grandmother to New York City in the mid-1960s. I don’t recall whether the Metroliners were running yet or not, but even if they were, we certainly wouldn’t have sprung for the premium fare! That was also my first experience with the subway, which my mother knew well, having lived in the city in the 1950s. I enjoyed the Empire State Building and watching a taping of the game show Concentration.

My first train trip, at about the age of 4, was from Baltimore to St. Louis on the B&O, then changing trains to the Katy to Oklahoma City. We stayed at the Skirvin (still there!). My parents attended a teachers’ convention and I was looked after by a local babysitter. I loved the trains and the elevators.

My grandfather had been an engineer driving GG-1s on the Pennsylvania RR. He had retired by the time I joined the family, but that’s where I got my railphilia.

I’m one of the #30percent that doesn’t drive. But I’ve been lucky to live in places with decent local transit, and connections to @Amtrak. Tell your elected representatives that rail and transit is a major priority, and a tiny percentage of our tax dollars.

"The roughly one-third of Americans who don’t drive—seniors who’ve stopped, people with disabilities, low-income households who can’t afford a car, people in transit-served cities—are subsidizing infrastructure they use little or not at all." https://www.fastcompany.com/91540490/gas-tax-new-highways-roads-no-longer-working

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After a very tough couple of weeks, a friend called just now to share some of their latest good news. I'm feeling better than I have in a long while. Thank you! (You know who you are.) If you have good news, pass it along! You just might make a friend's day.

Hop🐇 you have a Happy Easter!

Please donate today to any of these organizations who are advocating for better transportation options. Make a difference in 2026! https://allaboardnw.org/ran/rccn-organization-invitees/

Thank you to all my friends and family for working together towards a positive future. Happy holidays and safe travels!

J. R. R Tolkien, "enemy of the motor vehicle" https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/isengard-in-oxford/

Happy Thanksgiving to y'all!

"Nov. 25 (UPI) -- On this date in history:
In 1990, the original floating Lacey V. Murrow Bridge sank during a Thanksgiving storm in Washington state. The bridge was under reconstruction at the time so there were no injuries or deaths." I discovered this news the next day while moving to Seattle.

I joined some friends on September 5, 1977 to see the launch of Voyager 1 in person -- a tremendous experience! On November 13, 2026, Voyager will be a light-day away. https://www.iflscience.com/on-november-13-2026-voyager-will-reach-one-full-light-day-away-from-earth-81432 How time flies!

I’m happy to know some interesting people! https://www.westsiderag.com/2025/09/19/upper-west-sider-wins-emmy-for-sound-mixing-on-saturday-night-live