Through the years I have heard one conductor after another say the words “all aboard” as I traveled by train. I would not say that I grew up during the heyday of rail travel, but it was a mode of travel that we used often. I think maybe the reason we traveled by train was that we could walk up to the station to board. I lived right by the tracks.

My daughter drew my name for Christmas presents. She found a book about railroad history that she thought I might enjoy. There are many photographs as well as a generous amount of information. I remember years back there was a program on the History channel about trains. My husband and I watched nearly every episode.

As a farm boy, my husband rode the train to Philadelphia when he was drafted for military service. He was able to board the train in the small town that he lived near. He recalled traveling with several other young men who were also being drafted. He told about having a voucher for a meal. The server thanked all the young men for their service and sent them on their way with well wishes for a safe journey.

One of my favorite trips by train was the train trip across Canada that I took with friends. We boarded the train in Toronto and rode to Banff where we disembarked to spend several days. I especially enjoyed the domed car with the glass roof. It was wonderful to be able to look at all of the beautiful scenery around us.

Maybe the reason that I especially enjoyed this trip was that it was a leisurely one. We had time to read and work on the crafts we brought.

The active portions were in the area of the glaciers. It was impressive to actually walk on a glacier. This was the area where we saw a myriad of animals as well. Often, pictures from Lake Louise are shown on television. I can say, “I was there. I saw that, and it is beautiful.”

In my train book I found a photograph of an old style Pullman car. It was the type of car that we slept in. During the day there were two bench seats that faced each other. By night our beds were made up. I climbed to the top bunk. There were small nets to hold any belongings that I wanted to keep up there. A curtain covered the whole unit while we slept. Four of us had bunks in the same area on the way west. Another lady was able to join us when we got back on the train after our stop.

We were often asked about our accommodations. One group of fellow passengers referred to us “as the ladies who slept in the hall.” It was a relaxing trip as well as a beautiful one. I have many happy memories of the fun we had.

While we were in Alaska, we also rode the train. The train ride took us from Fairbanks to Anchorage. We were able to see a lot of the countryside as we traveled through small towns. We made a stop in the town where Sarah Palin lived. The rule of the train was, if there were passengers who wanted to board the train, the train stopped to pick them up.

We rode another train in Skagway that took us out into the countryside. I have some beautiful pictures from there. I am so thankful that I made scrapbooks from my trip. I am able to review the trip whenever I choose and think back to the wonderful adventures that we had.

There were many common, ordinary train trips as well. My mother and I used to ride the train to Buffalo to do school shopping and Christmas shopping. We boarded a trolley at the railroad terminal to ride uptown. We had to be sure we made the connections to get our ride home.

When I dated a certain young man who went to school at Notre Dame, I made several train trips to attend events. I made sure that I dressed professionally. I remember being seated by a nun who was traveling to see her relatives. We chatted the time away. She told me the thing she missed most about having to wear a habit was that she missed the variety of outfits. She told me she loved the beautiful blue linen dress that I was wearing.

My husband and I took a couple special rides on trains as well. We took the Knox/Kane train out to see Kinzua Bridge. It was a fabulous wooden structure. I have some wonderful photos of the ungirding of that bridge before a storm demolished it. That trip was my birthday present that fall from my husband. You know, he probably gave me many other things through the years, but that birthday was one that I will always remember.

We also rode the train near Titusville, Pennsylvania, an early oil community. We visited the museum there, and then took the ride.

Although not really a ride, a trip to a model railroad museum in Iowa was one of my favorite ones. Eventually I wrote a couple features about this museum because we actually met the young man who put it together and maintained it. We spent several hours exploring in there. He told me all about collecting items for the museum.

I grew up in a community that had a plant that manufactured the old Brooks engines. I was thrilled to find one of the early ones down in Pennsylvania Dutch country. My grandfather had a collection of photos that I believe he donated to the local historical society. He took the time to show me his collection and tell me all about it when I was young.

I am sure there are many other things to be discovered as I continue my way through the book that I received as a Christmas gift. Never discount a book as a gift. It just may provide many hours of pleasure.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.