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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI hear the train at times
I hear the train at times.
Coming down the grade,
Curving into town.
I've come to know
Each conductor's whistle blow.
Some long, some slow.
It comes and goes.
I hear the train at times.
And go up to the track to look
As the train comes in.
One thing remains the same.
It comes and goes.
It comes and goes.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)of the farm running from Chicago to Detroit.
I loved spending the nights there and hearing the train whistles in the night and you could even feel the vibrations from the train rumbling through.
My grandpa knew their schedule and I guess he knew one of the conductors because sometime in the afternoon, a train would pass and he would look at his pocketwatch and proclaim "yep, ole 'milky' is on time today".
Barely remember he as he died when I was about 4 but cherish those memories.
pinto
(106,886 posts)went by a house near the tracks. A woman was on her front porch every time to greet the train as it went through. The conductors knew her routine and would give passengers a heads up to wave. The engine crew did a triple whoot, whoot, whoot as we passed by.
bluesbassman
(19,379 posts)I'd forgotten this one.
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)sitting in the front row on the left side, right in front of Jimi at the Berkeley Community Theatre.
hunter
(38,325 posts)I'd miss it if it was gone.
It speaks to me of possibility.
The Road Runner
(109 posts)People on DU seem to be excellent writers!
marzipanni
(6,011 posts)I'm so used to it I don't hear them much except if I'm awake during the night. Some engineers blast their horns excessively, some are considerate and blow a few long crescendo - decrescendos on the horn.
A few times we've heard a steam whistle when old engines were passing through on their way to celebrations of old trains somewhere.
I'd love to hear that sound more often-
http://www.sounddogs.com/sound-effects/2708/mp3/454400_SOUNDDOGS__st.mp3
whistler162
(11,155 posts)as they moved through the hills near Warren PA.. This was during the summer when he, and later my mom, were visiting from Brooklyn.
I live about 1 mile from a small railroad and 4 or 5 miles from the main Buffalo to Albany line. So trains are no stranger.
fizzgig
(24,146 posts)including one right behind the apartment. they're just a way of life here.
pinto
(106,886 posts)I hardly give them a second thought. And the conductors are really good, they just do one required beep at crossings coming into town.