Reading a post over on TO on the International board made me think back in March I took the night train from Mandalay to Bagan in Myanmar I honestly didn't believe until then that a train could sway back and forth that much and still stay on the rails By comparison Thai state railways are pretty smooth Malaysian railways you can set a glass of water on the table and not spill a drop

I remember riding an RDC from Ohio to Detroit and back, everything is fine then then came to a road crossing, KAWUMP!! rough track, the train bottomed out on the springs.

I've ridden a few trains where I was concerned for my safety by the hands of someone else, not that the train would crash. But most of those times were outside the US and I was usually armed to the teeth (supplied by Uncle Sam, that is). Not all, but most, that is. There have been some sketchy times on trains in the US where I wondered if I was going to exit the train with my wallet and with no bullet holes...

I didn't exactly fear for my life, but I certainly got an "E-ticket ride" when I went to Jamestown CA to ride the Sierra RR steam train back in 1975. I'd taken a Greyhound from Stockton, and made a transfer in Manteca (Spanish for "lard") for the bus to Jamestown. On the way into the sierras, we passed a Pontiac which was being consumed by fire, and eased by hoping that the gas tank didn't explode while we were in the area. Got to Jimtown OK and had a great ride behind #28. After exploring the yard, it was time to head back into town for the return bus. I was at the bus stop in plenty of time, but when the departure time came and went, I worried that the driver had forgotten Jamestown and I would be stuck there for the night. The bus finally showed about ten minutes late, but we made it to Manteca three minutes early. Anyone who's ever been to Jamestown knows that CA 108 has plenty of twists and turns, but that driver knew the route like an old hogger knows his railroad, and gave us some thrills, but no chills.