July 9, 2009 We’ve all heard the saying “they don’t make them like they used to anymore...” Usually when that saying is applied to railroading, one thinks of the steam engines of the past. After months of waiting, it was my turn to find the Southern Pacific 4-8-4 number 4449, one of those steam engines. Keep reading...

June 20, 2009 McNair Park in beautiful downtown Verndale was my destination on a perfect Saturday for railfanning. Today was Verndale Rail, a gathering of fellow railfans from around west central and northern Minnesota. This was Jim's territory, hopefully I would finally have a chance to meet him (and many other railfans that I only knew via email and online forums). Keep reading...

September 18, 2008 Summer in a college admissions office, this was really the only time of year that I had a chance to get away for a bit. This year I decided it was time to take an extended trip on the Amtrak, so I began my online search for a destination. It did not take very long for me to decide that west is where I wanted to go. Keep reading...

January 11, 2008 If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked why I like trains so much, I might be able to buy a new digital camera. Still, it’s something many people continue to wonder about me even after they ask the question. I would venture a guess that other railfans encounter the same question from a wide array of different people as well. Keep reading...

December 2, 2007 As I was planning my holiday travel for Thanksgiving to St. Joseph, MI from Minnesota, I examined all of the possible options. Air, land, sea (a bit tough) and on foot, but as a railfan it wasn't a difficult choice. Amtrak! I purchased my round trip tickets on amtrak.com (which was very easy to do) and started to wind up with anticipation for my first rail adventure in 15 years. Keep reading...