Blog 3002 – 01.18.2024

City Of New Orleans

Like many children, boys and girls, I have always been fascinated by trains. On one of my first grade class field trips we took a short train trip from the famous Chattanooga train station to Ooltewah, the first stop for passengers trains back then. Our parents were waiting there for us to drive us home. Passenger service ended to and from Chattanooga shortly after that fateful train ride and it would be fifty-five years later before on a work trip to Italy I rode on a train again in Italy from Ravenna to Bologna and back. That train ride was about a thirty minutes one way, like the first train I had taken as a six year old boy.

On my four week assignment in Italy I had only one day off and I spent it taking a four hour train ride from Ravenna to Venice, four hours there and four hours back just so I could say that I have been to Venice. I took a pictures to prove that I was there if only briefly. It was so crowded with tourists that I soon made my way back to the train depot and took the next train back to Ravenna.

I would love to have gotten to take a ride on The City of New Orleans. I have visited many of the cities and towns along its route and I can only imagine how wonderful the ride by rail must have been.

Today’s song helps remind us of the train rides of bygone days.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David White

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xrF8v90AMKhIb92-HSdaPIRWjnfJEJGz/view?usp=drivesdk

City Of New Orleans