Nowhere can I think so happily as in a train. — A.A. Milne, English writer best known for creating Winnie-the-Pooh bear
Once again, it’s time for Walktober!
(You can read the details about it — dates, etc. — at Dawn’s blog. Join us if you can — the more, the merrier!)
This year, I decided to change things up a bit. The walk I took last year was breath-taking but having talked to others who live in that area and learning how desolate (and potentially dangerous) such a solitary walk could be, I opted to surround myself with living, breathing humans!
Sadly, the Fall colors hadn’t arrived when I took my jaunt. Oh, I’m seeing points of color now, but peak leaf-peeping doesn’t happen until mid- to late-October, and the place I wanted to visit would close for the season by then, so I had to get a move on.
I drove to Monticello (IL) and visited their all-volunteer Railway Museum, one of about a dozen museums in Illinois devoted to the preservation of railroad history.
Historic depot — All Aboard!
My agenda was to wander the rail yards until I heard the conductor shout, “All Aboard!” and pull the whistle. Then, I’d line up with parents, grandparents, and kids; climb onto a vintage passenger car pulled by a historic diesel engine and enjoy a train ride.
Illinois Central diesel engine that pulled our train
Train rides occur at this museum only on weekends. Some trains (like the one I rode) use diesel engines, while others operate on steam. A variety of special events (including the popular, already-sold-out Polar Express), draw train enthusiasts from across the area.
The museum collection includes pieces — some, more than 100 years old — gathered from across the U.S. mostly through purchase or donation. I saw locomotives (diesel and steam), passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses, many of which are operational; others are undergoing renovation or repair.
Old-time steam locomotive wasn’t pulling trains that weekend
Pullman cars for passengers
Tanker car
Caboose
Additionally, there are all sorts of outbuildings for maintenance and storage, as well as artifacts designed to preserve railroad history.
Inside this car were exhibits and railroad memorabilia
But it’s the train ride itself that’s such a huge draw. Rumbling down the tracks over a former railroad line from the museum through Monticello (county seat of Piatt County) to another depot takes about a half-hour. Visitors can either ride right back (another 30 minutes) or hang out, shop, and eat lunch on the city square before taking a later train back.
Look at that old manual typewriter!
Perhaps it’s growing up in the Midwest in a “train town,” but I’ve long found travel by train to be especially winsome. The gentle rocking of the wheels on the track, combined with the lonesome call of the whistle, makes me relax and breathe as nothing else can.
No wonder so many songs and books relive the magic of trains!
View outside one of my windows — see? The trees really hadn’t turned yet
View outside another window — lots of corn waiting to be harvested
Inside a caboose, where train workers lived while traveling/working
Of course, this was a historic train, not Amtrak. The passenger car wasn’t air-conditioned (though open windows and a nice breeze kept things comfy). The seats weren’t padded, nor did they recline. There was no snack car. No restroom. No sleeping car. And I didn’t even check for wi-fi.
Look at these bunk beds — not sure I’d feel especially safe with that webbing to prevent the top passenger from slipping to the floor!
Still, it made for a memorable Walktober. If you haven’t done your walk — or ride, bicycle, swim, roller skate, whatever — I encourage you to get out and do so. We want to share in your adventure!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
What a fun outing that must have been. My son loved trains so we often took similar rides. It never gets old. I only wish we had modern train travel in the US today like they do in other countries, esp. Japan and Europe. Imagine riding a bullet train? Whoosh!
I’m right there with you, Eliza! Travel by trains is such a wonderful way to get around. The last time I visited my son in the Windy City, we routinely took trains, and I found myself wishing my own small town had that mode of transportation.
What a great idea for Walktober, Debbie! It’s been ages since I’ve had a train ride, historic or modern, but I love that rhythmic rocking of the wheels on the rails, too. The Railway Museum you visited has packed a lot of history into its exhibits. The office with the old manual typewriter gives a feeling for what working on the train was like. Interesting to see the woodstove with its pipe right inside the caboose. I wonder if it was for cooking or heating or both. I do wonder what it was like sleeping in those bunk beds – I never had that experience in my travels. Thank you for sharing your experience. Now I’m going to see if there are any railway museums around here…
I’m glad you enjoyed it vicariously, Barbara! I suspect train workers cooked and kept warm by that woodstove. When I rode Amtrak some years ago, we had a roomette with bunk beds, so I can assure you it wasn’t exactly a comfortable way to sleep. The bottom bunk was fine, but that top one? Not so much, especially if the train took a sudden lurch just as you were falling asleep, ha!
What a grand day you had! I, too, love trains, and when we visit our daughter in Boston, we always take the train. I am hoping trains will make a comeback and relieve the roads of vehicle congestion.
Another train-lover? Yeah! I, too, hope trains will return as a mode of transportation. I sometimes hate sharing the interstate with all those 18-wheelers — and leaving the driving to somebody else just makes a lot of sense.
Sure does!
What a great Walktober! And you took it to the next level! Thanks for sharing your train adventure and the news that there’s still time to join us!
You’re most welcome, Dawn! I have to get the Monk off his sofa and onto his own Walktober, but I’m hoping we can find some fall color by then. He’d have probably enjoyed a train ride, but dogs weren’t permitted.
There’s something magical about trains, especially for those of us who don’t have ready access to any type of passenger train. I loved seeing the living quarters in the caboose.
I will say this… the sound of a train whistle during the night is a comfort sound for me.
You too, Kelly? I remember traveling on Amtrak when the Domer was little and how easy it was to drift to sleep as the wheels circled over the rails. Must have been like being a baby and being rocked to sleep!
A great outing, Debbie. Thanks for taking us along. I love trains and this one was special.
Thank you for that, John. I’m rather surprised so many people seem to love trains — I thought I was just an oddity! Next time, I might try to catch the steam locomotive, though — I think that would be fascinating.
I think so, too. The slow start would be something to experience.
Not to mention the soot particles!
On the white shirt.
I love that it’s not just a museum – that you can actually ride the trains too! I love train journeys. I’m not an enthusiastic flyer and when driving I can never really relax and take in the scenery, so train journeys are like little mini-holidays!
Oh, I agree! It’s fun to people-watch, too. Best of all, the museum portion and the gift shop were free; I only had to pay a nominal fee for my train ticket. I can see why the Polar Express is all sold out, though. Little kids wearing their winter pajamas and getting hot chocolate and marshmallow on their upper lips as they wait for a visit from Santa must be a sight to behold!
Oh Debbie I would have LOVED this, being that I have such a passion for trains and train travel, especially vintage trains like the ones pictured here!
Exactly what you shared here is how I feel about traveling on a train —
“Perhaps it’s growing up in the Midwest in a “train town,” but I’ve long found travel by train to be especially winsome. The gentle rocking of the wheels on the track, combined with the lonesome call of the whistle, makes me relax and breathe as nothing else can.”
In fact, last week I took the train to one of the stores I work at which is about 27 mins outside the city and almost feel asleep on the trip back, because the movement of the train relaxed me so.
Yes, we too have not gotten much in the way of Fall colors as of yet. I think because the weather has been so erratic (warm/cool) is why. When we finally get a good cold-snap, I think that’s when the leaves will change.
Thanks so much for sharing your Walktober (Traintober), my friend. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Happy Monday, and have a terrific week! X
Ron, it’s so GOOD to see you here — I’ve missed you! I think big cities do a better job with trains than our rural towns. I know the Domer often travels via train (and I love doing so as well when I visit).
Wouldn’t it have been grand traveling behind that steam locomotive?? I need to remind myself to give that a try next year when the new season opens. The museum doesn’t operate it every weekend, but that’s a part of our nation’s past that I’m certain I’d enjoy.
The weather folks keep telling us that we’re still a couple of weeks from peak leaf-looking. I’m seeing splashes of color, but nothing near the profusion from previous years. Things are definitely more muted.
Hope your work week is going well! XX
You might remember that I love trains. When I still was in grade school, I’d listen at night for the sound of the trains passing through town, and one of my most memorable experiences was being taken by my grandfather to the roundhouse in his town, where we watched the trains being turned on the huge turntable.
More recently, on my long trip through Kansas, I spent several nights in a renovated railroad bunkhouse only feet from the tracks, and enjoy a dozen or more fast freights passing by, day and night. I’d often run out when I heard one coming and wave at the crew in the cab — they always waved back!
One more: while still in high school, I went with my father on a train especially chartered to take fans to a football game in Iowa City. I don’t remember a thing about the game, but I sure remember that train. It was coal powered, with no AC and soot blowing into the open windows. The seats were horsehair, and the walls of our passenger car were covered in scarlet brocade that resembled something you’d find in a bordello. I didn’t know about bordellos then, but today I do, and I suspect some of the men passing their silver flasks back and forth might have known about them, too!
Thanks so much for this wonderful walk through this history, not to mention the sights and experiences you had on your walk. I absolutely loved it — very creative!
Aw, gee, Linda, your praise is making me blush — thank you! I’m thrilled my Walktober trip evoked so many pleasant memories for you. Our town had a roundhouse, but I never saw it in action (by the time I came along, it was mostly a vacant field). And how I’d have loved riding on a train pulled by a steam locomotive! I’ve heard of the mess from the soot and such, but still — what a way to move around!
I’m happy to hear you, too, listened for train horns. As a musician, I’m fascinated by the chording effect they produce. Since you were in the band, too, maybe you’ll find this article of interest (and you can listen to a variety of horns!)
I just love train museums! We have an excellent one in St. Louis, and when I take the grandchildren there, I have just as much fun as they do. Thanks for sharing!!
Really? How did I miss the one in St. Louis? It’s not that far away. Hmm, you’ve given me an idea for another trip — thanks, Ann!
It’s called The Museum of Transportation, in west country, on Barrett Station Road off of Dougherty Ferry. Despite the name, it’s all about trains!
Awesome — thanks for the recommendation!!
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What a fun take on Walktober! I was thinking of Sheldon Cooper from the the Big Bang Theory and his love of trains while I read your post!
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed my post. It was a beautiful day to take my Walktober, and I’m already wondering where to go next year!