All my life I've lived within a stone's throw of the railroad tracks. When we were kids we'd climb the hill where the trestle crossed 
the street near our house and leave pennies there, returning later to search the ground for the flattened pieces of copper that resulted from our folly. When my children were small we'd walk down to the front yard when we heard it coming and wave to the engineer, who often caught a glimpse of us and waved back to them. As soon as they were old enough we'd take them for a short ride from East Hampton to Amagansett or Montauk so they could see things from the other side, because the train was so much a part of our everyday life here on this corner.
I'd imagine to some people the sound of that train would be an annoyance, but I find it quite nice. When it goes by in the middle of the night and I happen to be awake I can hear if for miles as it makes its way east, whistle blowing at every crossing along the way, getting louder as it comes. But for the most part, I don't even notice it when it passes - familiarity sometimes makes us immune to certain sights and sounds. This morning as I was lying in bed thinking it was time to get up I heard it coming in the distance and listened as the sound approached, passed over the trestle here, and quickly rolled on by. I heard it move off in the distance and approach the crossing in Amagansett.
For me, the sound of the train is a familiar and comforting one. It signals life and activity and the passing of time. It takes me away for a few brief moments and makes me remember climbing that same trestle many years ago to lay pennies on the track. I love the train.
the street near our house and leave pennies there, returning later to search the ground for the flattened pieces of copper that resulted from our folly. When my children were small we'd walk down to the front yard when we heard it coming and wave to the engineer, who often caught a glimpse of us and waved back to them. As soon as they were old enough we'd take them for a short ride from East Hampton to Amagansett or Montauk so they could see things from the other side, because the train was so much a part of our everyday life here on this corner.I'd imagine to some people the sound of that train would be an annoyance, but I find it quite nice. When it goes by in the middle of the night and I happen to be awake I can hear if for miles as it makes its way east, whistle blowing at every crossing along the way, getting louder as it comes. But for the most part, I don't even notice it when it passes - familiarity sometimes makes us immune to certain sights and sounds. This morning as I was lying in bed thinking it was time to get up I heard it coming in the distance and listened as the sound approached, passed over the trestle here, and quickly rolled on by. I heard it move off in the distance and approach the crossing in Amagansett.
For me, the sound of the train is a familiar and comforting one. It signals life and activity and the passing of time. It takes me away for a few brief moments and makes me remember climbing that same trestle many years ago to lay pennies on the track. I love the train.
4 comments:
You sure do have a way of bringing back memories. Having been raised on North Main Street we use to love the train too. There was a ledge just under the track and you were REALLY brave if you sat on the ledge when the train went over. We walked the "tracks" to Schencks and also left pennies on the track. The biggest double dog dare was to walk the track over the bridge. I don't remember ever being brave enough (or stupid enough..lol) to do that!
Back in the 60's there was a Santa Clause Special. The train took you to NY City on a Saturday morning in early December and left Penn Station at around 8PM for the return trip.Sometimes it was snowing and it made the trip much more exciting. If you can believe it, I just took the new type of train to the city last year. It is a double decker. Not really like the trains I remember. I still will take riding an old steam locomotive anytime when i am in PA. along with a horse and buggy ride through Bird in Hand, etc.
Great memories from both of you! I also remember the Santa special-we took it once and did our Christmas shopping at Macy's. My father gave us each $10 to cover our shopping list (3 siblings and parents) and I spent $7 of mine on a gold charm for my mother's charm bracelet. I was so proud of that gift...
I,too, fondly remember the old trains with the mournful whistle and the Santa Claus specials. Twice in my life I lived next to the tracks...when we lived at my grandmother's home, and later an apartment of my own. Isn't it funny how you learn to sleep through all that sound and building shaking? Squashed pennies, collections of railroad spikes and walking the rails are a part of a wonderful childhood, when we felt that the engineer was our personal friend. Thanks again, for rousing our remembrances, Barbara!
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