Archives: March 2008, August 2008
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midnight The Midnight Writer's new train stories blog - Subscribe
I am excited to find such an easy to use and easy to sign up site as Aeonity. I look forward to sharing a lot of my train stories and train histories. All you train travel buffs, join me here.
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Mood: exuberant

midnight Old Steam Trains Mar 15th, 2008 1:57:13 pm - Subscribe


http://www.aeonity.com/midnight/images/train6.jpg




This takes me way back before my time, to nostalgic thoughts of my great uncle Bill. He was my Grandfather's twin brother on my father's side of the family.

Old Bill drove a train like this one, having been born in 1881. That was another age indeed!

Sometimes I fantasize about those days and wish I had lived then. It all seem so romantic, the good ole days, that is.
Take a look at the architecture, home furnishings, houses and cabins built in the 1800's, and even the trains.

This steam engine has style that cannot be found today. Now people seem to have a need for sleek and streamlined, for the modern twist on everything.

What stories could we find just surrounding these antique steam trains? Lots of lives and passions went into building both the trains, the track network and the legends themselves.

I want to start down memory lane with my Uncle Bill first, then branch out into the stories of the train era's beginnings. If any of my readers has a story to share, please email it to postmaster@mountainspiritproductions.org and write "train story" in the subject heading. I will be happy to feature your train story on my blog. Give me contact information and a note giving permission to publish the story.

Looking forward to a romantic journey down memory lane, on a slow train to nowhere and everywhere! Join me for the trip.
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Mood: captivated

midnight Old Steam Trains Mar 15th, 2008 2:05:01 pm - Subscribe







This takes me way back before my time, to nostalgic thoughts of my great uncle Bill. He was my Grandfather's twin brother on my father's side of the family.

Old Bill drove a train like this one, having been born in 1881. That was another age indeed!

Sometimes I fantasize about those days and wish I had lived then. It all seem so romantic, the good ole days, that is.
Take a look at the architecture, home furnishings, houses and cabins built in the 1800's, and even the trains.

This steam engine has style that cannot be found today. Now people seem to have a need for sleek and streamlined, for the modern twist on everything.

What stories could we find just surrounding these antique steam trains? Lots of lives and passions went into building both the trains, the track network and the legends themselves.

I want to start down memory lane with my Uncle Bill first, then branch out into the stories of the train era's beginnings. If any of my readers has a story to share, please email it to postmaster@mountainspiritproductions.org and write "train story" in the subject heading. I will be happy to feature your train story on my blog. Give me contact information and a note giving permission to publish the story.

Looking forward to a romantic journey down memory lane, on a slow train to nowhere and everywhere! Join me for the trip.
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Mood: captivated

midnight Repeating same blog when editing-ooops! Mar 15th, 2008 2:15:44 pm - Subscribe
I apologize folks. I was trying to edit the font size and train photo size when the edit function just kept publishing the same article in duplicates.

Does anyone know how to remove the duplicated pages?

Email the_midnight_writer@mountainspiritproductions.org

Thank you.
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Mood: captivated

midnight Skunk Train in Willits, California Mar 15th, 2008 2:40:10 pm - Subscribe





This is a common site for me as I stroll about town in Willits, California. Though I see the train a lot sitting like some old relic horse on the tracks near the renovated train station, I have never ridden the train.

I've often daydreamed about the ride through the majestic Redwoods just outside of town. Willits is the gateway to the redwoods. An archway as you enter the city announces its regal designation.

I hear it is a fascinating, scenic and very enjoyable ride. I definitely have it on my "to do list" in the near future. When I finally do take the skunk train tour, I'll take my camera for some first hand photos. Watch for them on this blog.

My mother in law lives in Willits, a medium sized town nestled at the base of the gateway to the redwoods, just atop the mountain climb from Ukiah, California right on magic Highway 101. It's the kind of town to visit for some old fashiioned scenery and good old fashioned folks. The skunk train is just one of the attractions you will find there.

It would be fitting to put some facts about the Skunk Train on this post

Visit this website for more information:
http://www.trainweb.org/carl/SkunkTrain/SkunkTrainWillits.html

"The "Skunk M 100" is a diesel powered motor car built in 1925. When she makes her run from Fort Bragg to Willits, it is through the Redwood Forest and along the Noyo River. It crosses over 31 bridges and trestles and passes through two of the line's deep mountain tunnels. On this day, from Willits to Northspur and back, we'll see the dryer eastern slope of the mountain range until we reach Tunnel #2 then redwood and fir forests and the 'towns' of Crowley, Clare Mill, and Shake City before arriving at Northspur. "

" At Northspur Station, the first train to arrive awaits the other and luggage, including bicycles, and passengers who are on a through ticket, are transferred and both trains are off to either Fort Bragg, or, like us, back to Willits. Waiting passengers are entertained by either The Train Singer or The Walkin' Blues Man. When the train with the cafe car arrives, any passenger can board and buy food items. The station itself has clothing items and ice cream. A more picturesque station would be hard to imagine."

-above information taken from www.trainweb.org-

This is the famous welcome to Willits that I mentioned earlier:

On behalf of the Willits Chamber of Commerce, welcome to Willits, California!

"Gateway to the Redwoods ~ Heart of Mendocino County."

The people are friendly in Willits, so get out of your vehicle and take a walkabout. It's the perfect town in which to reminisce about those bygone train days.
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Mood: charmed