Scattered Thoughts . . .

O n our way to Ohio on the train with Lukey and Kenzie back in June, we took a route that passed through Manhattan, then down to Washington and then down into Virginia before heading westward and passing through West Virginia, into Kentucky, and then up into Ohio.  Lukey and Kenzie have already been with us in Manhattan quite a few times but this would be the first time we continued on to Washington with Kenzie and Lukey, our Amtrak fanatic grandchild who was looking forward to finally pulling into this station while in an Amtrak sleeper car. We had about a forty-five minute layover at the station in Washington which I knew was just enough time to head up into beautiful Union Station and then wander out to the street so Lukey and Kenzie could actually see a bit of Washington.  We'd have to keep our pace up but I knew we could fit in this short excursion through the station.  I've been here many times but this would be a first for all my travel companions on this trip so I...

I love railroads, trains, even model trains... I think that has been abundantly clear to those who follow this blog. But really, what I find fascinating is any and all engineering which is also classified as art with character not just function. I love any engineering design which exudes so much character and details that it is an inspiring work of art. This includes trains, boats, aircraft, cars, homes, cottages, lodges, bridges, cityscapes, urban buildings... as well as old train stations. On our way to San Antonio, we had a layover at Chicago's beautiful Union Station (as well as an unscheduled overnight layover on the return trip). I captured many photos of the station and, I must say, some of these photos are as beautiful as this historic station so I felt I should share them here with my thoughts about the station. This huge train station in its current design opened in 1925... ninety years ago. In a time when many railroads are being dismantled, destroyed and sent to ...