A friend sent me mp3s of two railroad songs I enjoyed, so I looked them up on Utube:
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=vTBF6gj_K9M&feature=PlayList&p=3FBC92F0E660D66E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=41
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF_iHwjW4rY
If you like your train songs a little later (ie, diesel and not steam :-) ) here's another one on You Tube. "Indian Pacific", by one of Australias greatest songsmiths, Slim Dusty.
If anybody wants any Aussie-isms translated, feel free to ask. :)
Steve Magee
Newcastle NSW Aust
Once, on a visit to Croatia, I was subjected to an evening of ethnic Croatian song and dance. To my surprise a dance troop came out and danced to what sounded like "She'll be coming round the mountain." The tour leader claimed that the tune was originally from Croatia. I'm not too sure about that.
A favorite album of mine is "Trio" with Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmy Lou Harris. There's a great tune on the album called, "Are there any boxcars in Heaven?"
Woody,
There better be boxcars in heaven, otherwise I'm staying here !~ ;D
Tom
I got the second, but the first said it was removed.
Gene
My living will states "cremation". My wife says she will keep the layout going, so instead of the usual urn, I want the ashes loaded into a covered hopper. Any left over she can use for ballast. :D
"I fooled you, I fooled you, I got pig iron, I got pig iron, I got all pig iron".
Well the rock island line is a might good road
Oh the rock island line is the road to ride
The rock island line is a mighty good road
Well if you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station for the rock island line
Now the engineer said before he died,
there were two more drinks he'd like to have tried,
the doctor asked him "what could they be"
he said "a hot cup of coffee and a cold glass of tea"
You better arrange for someone to help her if she uses your ashes for ballast. There will be a very serious "dead" short ;D
Gene, one is "The Wreck of the Old 97" sung by Roy Acuff & the other is
"Moving On" sung by Hank Snow. Maybe a search on UTube will get the one for you as it did for me. There are recordings by other singers, too. I just tested this link, & it worked:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTBF6gj_K9M&feature=PlayList&p=3FBC92F0E660D66E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=41
Bill
I posted the message, but not the link to Indian Pacific. I shall claim seniors moment ... :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJRCYWhAvxY
Steve Magee
Steve,
My senior moments have turned into senior hours. Uh, which way did they go?
The second link from WGL gives you "Movin On" then in the "related videos" panel at right gives you "Chattanooga Choo Choo".
Third link gives "Wreck of the Old 97" and related vids gives you "Wabash Cannonball".
Eric UK
"Wreck of the Old 97" - the quintessential railroad song. (First American song to sell a million records, btw)
Gene
As I said on another thread several years ago, "Blue Railroad Train" by Doc Watson is a goodun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsZ6qRYsaJ8
Tony Rice did it, too.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?action=post;topic=8683.0;num_replies=11
Hope you like 'em!
Best Wishes,
Jack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oGneWngmos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0WtLJaQ5MU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM0Ly2J8nO8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARS5he88xvE
I have another, but I can't find it.
Josh
I'm a country music fan anyhow, but the best I ever heard was from "The Singing Brakeman, Jimmy Rodgers, all old train songs.
Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues, as mentioned Rock Island Line, also his randiton of The Orange Blossom Special and The Wreck of Old 97, and Hey Porter.
How about Roy Acuff singing "Wabash Cannonball?" I have it on CD but haven't played it lately.
Arlo Guthrie singing "The City of New Orleans." Anybody singing "The Big Rock Candy Mountain." There's one kid's site which has it and all kinds of dire warnings about "lake of gin" and "cigarette trees." "Blue Water Line."
Gene
One song not listed yet, suprising considering who sings it, is Neil Young's "Southern Pacific". For those who don't know, Neil Young (Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Crazy Horse) is as well known model and real railroad fan. At one stage he bailed Lionel out of a hole becoming a part-owner, and took a semi with a layout in it to his gigs.
Oddly enough, cant think of a specific train song from Rod Stewart. :)
Steve Magee
Who, even more oddly, is a classical music lover - but finds good in all sorts of music
Here's another, "Fireball Mail," sung by Acuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQafTXPQ_Sg
Does "The Locomotion" by Little Eva count?
Not so much a song, but Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs "Orange Blossom Special". Cannot count "Locomotion", even if Kylie Minogue sings it. :-)
Steve Magee
Although one reason why I especially like "Wreck of the Old 97" is the use of railroad terms, I'm not sure what "a line on a three-mile grade" means. I guess "You can see what a jump he made." means how far the locomotive jumped off the track.
My favorite version of the "Orange Blossom Special" was done by Boxcar Willie. Man could he wail out some whistle sounds.
Enjoy,
Barry
Yeah, Boxcar Willie is great.
I don't have any videos to contribute, so I'll search for CDs. You can play short samples here.
http://www.hbdirect.com/album_detail.php?pid=731497
Roy Acuff is my favorite, he made his debut on the Opry with Wabash Cannonball.
Can't believe no-one's mentioned On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe! http://www.56.com/u33/v_MjM3MTc5NTg.html (http://www.56.com/u33/v_MjM3MTc5NTg.html)
Sure, the song may be as gay as an Easter warbonnet but what showtune ain't? No reason to leave it out.
Although I draw the line at Starlight Express.