<p>I can see trains pass from my window at work. The building is modern and sound-proof so no noise. But if I am taking a break or pondering the perplexing, I am fascinated to see the variety of car and actual visible freight that go by.</p>
<p>I love trains too. When we were little we used to camp at the beach a lot, right where the trains run along the coast in So. Calif. We would usually go with a bunch of families so there were always a lot of kids we knew. This was in the late 60’s/early 70’s when all of the parents pretty much let us go all day as long as we showed up back at the camp for dinner, and also before there were any warnings about playing on train tracks. At least a couple of times during the week we would all take our lunches and spend the day walking as far as we could on the tracks. It was so much fun and we always felt like we were exploring uncharted territories. I think that is why I love the movie “Stand By Me” so much- it really reminds me of those times minus the dead body fortunately. I would be so upset with my kids if they did the same thing- especially with newer engines that are so quiet!</p>
<p>At least 70 freight trains pass through our midwest town every day and night. We have 6 “quiet zone” crossings where the trains are not supposed to sound their horns at night. But the trains are one of the things I hate most about living here. I don’t know how one gets used to train horns in the middle of the night; I certainly haven’t. It’s not like white noise that is just there; but very loud horn blasts that come out of nowhere and wake me up.</p>
<p>I would put deer and trains in the same category. Until I moved here I romanticized both. But now the trains wake me up in the middle of the night and the deer destroy everything that grows in our yard!</p>
<p>I enjoy trains… my family would always ride trains on vacation. We also used to go to NY (right next to west point) every thanksgiving, and my dad and I would go watch the trains on the Hudson river. Freight trains on our bank, and passenger trains on the other side.</p>
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<p>Better than vice-versa, wouldn’t you agree?</p>
<p>I once rented a house and a train literally passed through the yard twice a day, it was a tourist type of train that went north in the morning and south in the evening. It was between the house and the lake, though there was plenty of backyard before you got to the tracks, it was certainly unique.</p>
<p>I too love to watch freight trains. Where I grew up in PA the freights went by at the end of our street and my Dad would take me down to watch. I learned the names of all the different type of freight cars. And I too love that mournful sound of the whistle at night. Now I live by the ocean, so hear that sound at night, but I miss the trains.</p>