I have a small interest in trains…not in the sense that I participate in clubs or keep track of schedules or even delve into their history…nothing that engaging or earnest. No, I just find very comfortable the feel of being around train stuff like railroad yards, stations and even tracks with their creosote-stained ties and rusty spikes. I know. Ick.
Having grown up in the Rosemont section of Alexandria, just yards from the tracks and a block from the Alexandria station, train songs—those warning whistles and rattling cars—were continually sung. At night, I would lie awake and listen to them as they passed by, their musical rumble accompanied every quarter-hour by chimes from the George Washington Masonic Memorial (or simply, masonic temple, as the locals call it), which towers over Alexandria city from atop Shuter’s Hill. A favorite neighbor who spent the better part of her summer days in the mid-60′s caring for me while my parents worked, was married to a man who worked at the station. Dressed in his dark blue conductor’s uniform, he would either walk up winding Sunset Drive or follow Commonwealth Avenue and pass underneath the trestle—either route would have him at work in minutes. Although a nice man, he did have a job to do and would shoo me and my friends away from the tracks where we crouched, carefully arranging our pennies dead center on the rails. If we were lucky, our hard work would pay off with perfectly flattened souvenirs, each one-of-a-kind.
Maybe there’s a “train gene” in my family. My mother once told me that right after a train passes by, the tracks are cold, not hot like you might expect from steel spinning against steel. I don’t remember asking what prompted her to frisk the tracks, but I do understand the curiosity. And come to think of it, her father—my grandfather—used to work for the railroad in Ohio, I think, back in the 40′s. And he did sing Workin’ on the Railroad and She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain to me when I was little. Hmmm…
The tracks you see here are only about a mile from the Alexandria station and run parallel to the dog park in Ben Brenman Park. When Lucy grows tired of playing with the other dogs and is ready for a walk, we’ll amble alongside the tracks, and I’ll lag behind, taking pictures and yep, searching deep in my pockets for pennies.
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Jennifer
Joanne Olivieri
YogaforCynics
Twitter: craftybird
I love trains too, but really, you used to play by the tracks? Really? What amazing fun, and no wonder they are in your blood if you grew up with that sound! The sounds of trains are soothing no matter how loud, not like cars. That game with the pennies sounds fantastic – I’d LOVE to see a train flattened coin.
This is so evocative and beautifully written Holly, and the photo illustrates it so well. Absolutely gorgeous.
Bird´s last blog post..Hiding in plain sight
This photo causes me a little discomfort, thinking that you must’ve been lying down on the tracks or something to get that angle!! You did check the timetable first, didn’t you? Or, are these disused tracks? I loved the story from your childhood memories!
Svasti´s last blog post..People watching, Chapter 3
Wow…cool photo…even without a dog in it…then, it’s best not to let dogs too close to railroad tracks (especially since, re: Svasti’s comment, that track looks way too shiny to be disused…).
YogaforCynics´s last blog post..Dogsitting, the Universe, and Getting Lost in Suburban Neighborhoods
wow, this one is a very cool track photo, the lines, the sky and the trees just make it really wonderful.
betchai´s last blog post..Bumpass Hell, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Yowza…this is a fabulous photo. You need to send it to some train enthusiast magazine or something. The perspective is amazing.
pyzahn´s last blog post..Sacred sightings
Twitter: lunaticgamers
Hi!
Love to see this picture. It make me feel like I am really near your train track.
See you around.
lunaticg´s last blog post..My 7 June 2009 Coin Hunting Trip in Butterworth Roadwalk
There is something very intriguing about trains, especially when you can see them every day. I’d love to read more about that neighbor, too.
You know, I lived on E. Walnut Street, very close to the Braddock Road metro station … twice. On the same block. So I am very familiar with that area. In fact, in the last place we lived, the trains would shake the house and I would think to myself — that’s what it will be like during an earthquake in California. Haven’t found out yet about that one, at least not in any serious way.
Jennifer´s last blog post..Join one sentence with another
Twitter: chrissymarie321
Great photo and love the story. I have always loved trains and planes and never knew where the interest came from. It is rather lovely that you have the story behind it. I confess I never even thought of the safety aspect of your photo but perhaps that is because locally we have a steam train railway. You can pretty much get right by the lines, you get plenty of notice of imminent arrival.
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Bird and thanks so much—you are too kind, but I am glad that you enjoyed the photo and story. Yes, I sure did play on them and thank goodness we had the neighbor conductor to look out for us. It is strange how such a noise can be soothing, but you’re right, it is. I need to remember to put some coins in my pocket so I can make that train coin!
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Hi Svasti…hee-hee…check the timetable. That’s funny! No, I wasn’t lying down, just crouched. These tracks are well-used—actually, this is the track my train uses when I travel to/from family. I try to not hang around too long when taking pics as the train roar scares Lucy. Glad you liked the story.
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Hi and thanks, drjay. Actually…*dare I admit?* I have a photo of Lucy on the tracks. I know, I’m a questionable parent and am feeling quite like MJ in the baby-dangling incident. Of course, Lucy was on a leash, unlike little Blanket…uhhh, so how’s Bella?
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Hi betchai…thanks so much…glad you liked it! No comparison to your nature photos, though…
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Hi and thanks, pyzahn. Holy cow, a magazine?! You are too kind! Glad you liked it, though.
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Hi lunaticg. Thanks for stopping by and glad you liked it.
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Hi Jennifer. Wow, you lived only a few blocks from me. Actually, I first lived on Commonwealth (the triplex closest to the tracks) and then a few years later we moved a couple of blocks to W. Linden. I know exactly where you were…very close to my high school (GW). Yes, I will have to write about that neighbor, and oh, please tell me that you experienced an Al’s steak ‘n’ cheese before you left the area… :o)
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Hi and thanks so much, Chrissy. I wish I liked planes as well, but I’ve got a real phobia about them. I never think about the safety aspect of the rails, either. In the other direction the view is just as clear and if I were to hear an inkling of noise, I’d be out of there!
It does sound as if trains are a part of your past, so no wonder you love them. Must’ve been fun to put the pennies on the tracks and collect your souvenir.
Great photo.
Janie of Utah´s last blog post..Xhibit X
That’s a great picture. My youngest daughter loves trains too and my two middle children are fascinated with them.
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi Janie and thanks. Yeah, if I can just remember to carry some pennies next time. I’ll probably have to lay them out then return to see the results…that’s the best part!
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Hi Petula and thanks for coming by. Yeah, trains seem to be popular with all kids to some point. Maybe Thomas the Train has something to do with that!
Twitter: plasmanc
Hi Holly,
I love the photo and the cloud reflection in the track.
A nice nostalgic tale too. I must admit modern trains don’t appeal to me that much – I see them as functional and not fun. Classic trains however DO look like fun – I would love to ride at the front of a steam train.
One day, maybe.
:-)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian´s last blog post..Australian English
Twitter: earthtoholly
Hi PM. Glad you liked the photo and slice ‘o life. I didn’t notice the reflection when I took the shot—I always forget my glasses, so I’m luck if I can see the focus box. It was a nice surprise.
I agree with you on the trains themselves. I take our Amtrak on a 10-hour ride when I visit family, and most of the time the trip is only tolerable. Nothing charming about it, except for a conductor on my car once. He was so polite and professional, I could easily see him working on one of the old steam trains.
[...] A little background on my train fetish can be found at Tracks Of The Past. [...]
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[...] note that the THIRTEEN editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be …Tracks Of The Past | earth to hollyI have a small interest in trains…not in the sense that I participate in clubs or keep track of [...]