May 11 (the Saturday closest to May 10) is National Train Day. I have plenty of coffee table train books. They all have some good history about trains, and wonderful pictures. Everybody loves trains.
My first book is “The Great Book of Trains” by Brian Hollingworth and Arthur Cook 1987. This book has beautiful photos, colorful illustrations, and a great deal of factual information and details about 300 famous trains. If one is a train enthusiast, this is a serious book.
My second book is “Railways, Past Present & Future” by G. Freeman Allen, also 1987. This is also a detailed book on the history of railways throughout the world. Bridges, tunnels and engineering problems are covered, as well as the improvements and design of trains. It is a well rounded book of everything about train systems of travel.
My third book is “America’s Colorful Railroads” by Don Ball, Jr, 1978. This book focuses on the 1940’s and 1950’s of trains and railroads. The photographs in this book are amazing.
Not only do I have some great books, but I have some of my father’s train cars. One day I want to set up a small display with track and landscaping. Perhaps I can get my brother-in-law to make a glass cabinet to display it all…
I had the honor and privilage to fly to Japan with a good friend, and visit some fantastic Japanese friends. We stayed at their home near Hiroshima for about a week. One day we were told to hurry and get into the car, to see something, but he didn’t say what. We were driven to a neighboring town, parked up on a hilltop and waited. Suddenly there was a loud whistle, and our host proudly showed us the event…this steam engine that was going through the country. It was quite the sight.
What do you call a train that is always late? A slowcomotive.
What is the difference between teachers and railroad security? One trains minds and the other minds trains.
What do you call a locomotive that keeps sneezing? Achoo choo train.
Wow, you really have to hand it to ticket inspectors. (Hah, that’s the joke.)
This is the end of the line…thanks for reading.
Librarytomes 