Asheville News

Old men and their trains

Jason Sandford March 5, 2006

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The WNC Model Railroaders show was this weekend at the Ashvegas Civic Center, and I went to check things out. I’m not a train nut, but I do marvel at the machinery, at the variety of train technology, and at how the rhythms of a train ride sooth and slow me down in a fast-paced world. Europe has passenger rail down – I wish we did here in the U.S.

Instead, there seems to be an American mindset that trains are old fashioned, that we’ve passed them by. At the show this weekend, I sensed a sort of nostalgia around the trains. Lots of old men were talking about the good old days, but nobody seemed to be looking ahead at new possibilities, new train technologies.

Or maybe it was just me. My memories of playing with my model train set as a child. My feelings of being touched by the haunting hoot of a train whistle, a sound that still reverberates in these mountains and a sound I hope will never, ever go away. There’s something so reassuring about that sound, in a melancholy sort of way; it’s almost saying that something as a mighty and forceful as a locomotive can feel.

Back to the show. Like I said, there were lots of old men playing with the trains. Old men who knew trains as a way of life, an integral part of life. And there were lots of moms and dads with little boys, who only know trains as toys.

There were train hats for sale; tons of model train cars and parts; new train sets and more.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

How ’bout them Tar Heels!

WLOS hiring, again

5 Comments

Dad March 7, 2006

Trains of all sizes are fascinating and fun. Let’s go for a train ride sometime.

Reply
S.C. March 6, 2006

The thing to remember about the European rail system is that they have to cover a landmass that is significantly smaller in terms of city-to-city railways…

I’ve often lamented the lack of reliable, affordable rail transport in this country. I’m with you on this.

Reply
Don Mak March 6, 2006

Oh man I wish I would have known this was happening this weekend. Speaking of trains, my dad and I stopped at the Tehachapi loop in California last month when we drove across country from Seattle to Asheville.

Here is the link to my blog (shortened for linkability): http://url123.com/w4gwr

DM

Reply
Edgy Mama March 5, 2006

Feeling poetic there, guy?

I have a soft spot for trains as well, having spent many hours in Europe and Asia riding the rails. And I love the sound of a late-night train whistle echoing under the stars.

Now you’ve got me going.

Reply
syntax March 5, 2006

looks like it was a fun time!

Reply