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Tuesday, October 17, 2023

The "Making My Monthly Visit To The Lancaster Train Station" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Looking at a video that appeared on my computer screen of a fast moving train's wheels as they passed by the photographer.  Brought back memories of long ago when I would walk or ride my bike a block to the Lancaster Train Station and watch the trains arrive and leave.  Would often park my bike and hustle to the side of the tracks to get a better view of the trains wheels.  Every now and then I would get yelled at by the people who worked at the train station to get back from the tracks.  Back then, the wheels seems to be almost as big as I was and at times the sparks would shoot from the wheels as they went by.  I knew not to try to get too close to the moving trains since they could throw rocks at you.  I still enjoy visits to the train station to watch the trains arrive, load and then leave the station after everyone has entered the cars.  At times I think back to when I was that young boy, curious, but at times afraid to get too close to the tracks for fear of sparks striking me or the wheels of the train throwing stones at me.  When you are down at the level of the trains wheels, you get an entirely different perspective than when you are standing on the train platform.  I loved my sometimes daily visits to the train station where I had the chance to be in another world...watching the passengers as they boarded or exited the train cars, seeing the doors close and the trains whistle would blow as they left the station.  At times I would find my way to the side of the station's tracks where I could see the wheels of the cars as they passed by, throwing sparks.  That, if I remember correctly, was rather scary, but I knew better not to get too close to the tracks.  A few times my parents were called telling them to talk to me about getting too close to the tracks.  But, the trains weren't the only attraction at the station.  That shiney, double wide, brass railing was always fun to ride down from the upper level to the ground level.  And...nobody really yelled at you except maybe a passenger or two from time to time.  Actually, that's still fun to do...as long as no one is closeby to see me.  Could be embarrassing for someone almost 80 years old to get caught sliding down the brass railing in the train station.  I must admit I try to make double-sure no one is around when I do it!  And...putting a piece of newspaper under you makes for a faster ride down!  Wouldn't you do the same thing if you had the chance?  Now...be honest!  It was another extraordinary day in life of an ordinary guy.  

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