http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyHulWOZ ... playnext=2

James Charles "Jimmie" Rodgers was a tubercular former railroader, who worked in every job from roundhouse help to switchman, but most famously as a Brakeman, is now in both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame.

What has this to do with Railway preservation? As hokey as some of the music is, and as corny as this film is, it captures the feel, the "authentistic-ness" of the golden era. Apart from striped hats and overalls, how well do we do that? Soon enough the Thomas kiddos will give up sing alongs and take up rock and roll...maybe we should introduce them to its Great Grandaddy

Hokey music? Jim, are you nuts? That's the classic stuff, boy! :-)

Needless to say, there should be some way to work this in.

There are implications of all kinds in this. Participating in discussions on high-speed rail, some of the anti-rail crowd argue against trains by saying they are "part of Europe's culture, not America's; America's culture is shaped by the automobile." Bah! Where have those bozos been for a hundred years? Think of so much of America that came out of railroads, starting with Standard Time and time zones. What about expressions that are part of the language, like "blowing off steam," "on the right track," "train of thought," "going first class," or how something that's horrible is a "train wreck?" You can still buy a travel case called a Pullman. And of course there are all those railroad songs. . .

How badly do we need a Hollywood man to produce an accurate, impressive adaptation of "One Way to Eldorado" or "The Long Trains Roll?"

That's my nutty ex wife's great grand dad. Her family hated me working for the railroad. I like his music. Thanks for the link.

Joe

I enjoy some of his railroad songs, you can tell he wrote them from true experience. "Ben Dewberry's Final Run" is my favorite.

It's nice to see some old footage with a plain denim flat top cap. If I never saw another hickory stripe and red bandana get up again I could sleep easier.