Retro Redux: Still Waitin' For That Train

Part of: Retro Redux

When I wrote about a song called "Night Train" in a recent piece, I connected it to my high school marching band and my transition into becoming a football player. But aside from those memories, it's also a type of song that's very near and dear to me: a train song.

It's pretty common knowledge that old coots like me are often train buffs, but my fondness for choo-choos was a part of me long before I entered geezerhood. I came up with a theory about that recently, while listening to some of my treasure trove of train music. It ranges from the simple sound of Chet Atkins and "Freight Train," to the big band era's Harry James and "Waiting For The Train;" and that latter song's title relates enginedirectly to my theory. I think that I was train-deprived as a kid.

A quick disclaimer here: I had a comfortable childhood in a middle-class home, and I completely understand that a lot of kids had it much tougher. But when you're young, it's pretty easy to feel sorry for yourself when a couple of your friends have fancy train sets and you don't. I was entranced by the sleek black Lionel locomotives and the big humming transformers; and there were a lot of extras too. I remember that one kid even had tiny tablets he could put into the engine and it would make smoke come out. Neato!

Although I'm sure my parents went through some thin times, they weren't poor — but they were frugal. And like most parents, they sometimes had to judge whether a cheaper version of something might do just fine for their kid. So when I began agitating for a train set for Christmas, it might not surprise you to hear that they ended up getting me something a little less impressive than I'd visualized.

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for big-geez

Article Author: Big Geez

Big Geez is a retiree who takes time off from trimming his ear hair to write about music -- occasionally writing reviews, but most often using his regular music feature, Retro Redux, to share his opinions about how something resonates with his memories and those of his generation. …

Visit Big Geez's author pageBig Geez's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • No image found
  • No image found

Article comments

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for May 18, 2013

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for April

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs