Anything Johnny Cash sings... when driving it just makes the trip go faster.
I've never heard anyone who's sound is more like the motions of the valve gear of a steam locomotive. In his, "Rock Island Line," version, it's amazing how much like a locomotive it sounds.
Well, if you're talking "Rock Island Line", here's a tribute to the late Stan Freberg, who passed away this week...
Mitch
Chatnooga Choo Choo
Folsom Prison Blues
MTA
Wreck of old 97
Casey Jones
and others I can't think of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCvaOp1Zm7U Here's one that hasn't been mentioned.I'm sure our musicians here will appreciate.Amazing bass and piano together.Plug it into your PA or amp and crank this.Nick
My fave: Where da ya work'a John?
On the Delaware Lackawan.
What'a you do a John?
I push-a-push-a-push.
What'a push a John?
I push. I push'a da truck.
Where do ya push'a John?
On the Delaware Lack-a-wan-awan-awan-awan; the Delaware Lackawan.
Somewhere I have some original sheet music. I remember that one verse contains a old unfavorable term for Italians. "Where do you work a-_____. In da big-a-da barber shop. What do you do a-____. I strop. I strop. I strop.
But those were different times.
Dredging up this old thread after reading a biography of Warren Zevon. His "Nighttime in the Switching Yard." I'd thought that the song was perhaps a simile for something else - but no, the inspiration of it was one of the song's writers having watched a switching yard at night.
David
Don't think I saw this one mentioned which I hadn't heard in a long time before hearing it on the radio the other day: Downtown Train by Rod Stewart (though wikipedia tells me it was originally done by Tom Waits)
I forgot about MTA until you posted it. That was a written as a protest song against the raising of the fare. Smothers Brothers, wasn't it?
For me it's "City of New Orleans" by almost any performer. When my grandkids were little I put them to bed with my singing of "I've Been Working on the Railroad."
MELGAR
GVDobler posted:I forgot about MTA until you posted it. That was a written as a protest song against the raising of the fare. Smothers Brothers, wasn't it?
Being from the Boston area that song is ingrained in us, even the last verse:
Now, you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal
How the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase, vote for George O'Brian
Get poor Charlie off the MTA!
There are quite a few that I like:
Atlantic Coastline Railroad Man...........................Upsala
Railroad Bill......................................................Tom Dylan
This Train Don't Stop There Anymore........Elton John
Canadian Pacific.......................................George Hamilton
A Railroad Bum..........................................Hank Thompson
Railroad Lady......................................Jimmy Buffet
Freight Train.......................................Casey Chambers
Never Marry a Railroad Man.............Shocking Blue
On the Atchison, Topeka, and the Santa Fe, written by Harry Warren, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and sung by Judy Garland. Sometimes sung in the shower by Number 90. 
This is my favorite one right now.
Turn it up...
City of New Orleans
Arnold
Arnold D. Cribari posted:City of New Orleans
Arnold
I agree with you and MELGAR because, for me, the dignity and poignancy of the song, especially when sung by Arlo Guthrie, count. Big time. Yes, sirs.
Plus, have you ever heard Joan Baez sing, "500 Miles." Angelic and penetrating.
We all know when somebody is singing us the truth.
FrankM
P.S. Hi L.I.TRAINS, You started a really nice thread, here, one we well-worth our time - just look at the marvelous variety of replies and the candor. Refreshing. Good man!
MOST ALL of them by various artists, especially the Rounder Records Collection of CD's. Most of the major Country and Blue Grass artists recorded the classic train related songs over the decades.
"Gonna Catch a Train" by The Spinney Brothers
As I have mentioned before, music and model trains is a great combination. Love to play train songs and other music while running trains.
The NJ HiRailers even have a full-sized organ at their magnificent layout, and one of their members is a professional organist who plays it! That, more than anything, blew me away at the OGR 50th Anniversary Party there.
Arnold
GVDobler posted:I forgot about MTA until you posted it. That was a written as a protest song against the raising of the fare. Smothers Brothers, wasn't it?
Kingston Trio
What, me worry?
"Last Train Home" by Pat Metheny.
Had to go back and make sure I hadn't already posted. Good to see this come back to the top!
One toke over the Line Brewer and Shipley (or Lawrence Welk for laughs)
Last Train to London ELO
Orange Blossom Special Seatrain
Almost forgot
Midnight train to Georgia Gladys Knight
Bob Seger has done some railroad songs. 'Long twin silver line' is the best known.
How about Union Pacific's theme song 'Great big rolling railroad.'
Train Kept A Rollin’ - Aerosmith
This is a great album. 1987
1. Cannonball Blues
2. Queen of the Rails
3. Going Away
4. Frisco Road
5. Starlight on the Rails
6. Calling Trains
7. Daddy What’s a Train?
8. Moose Turd Pie
9. Old Buddy Goodnight
10. Phoebe Snow
11. Nickel Plate Road No. 759
12. Wabash Cannonball/Tolono
Several O. Winston Link recordings incorporated into the album. Highly Recommend it!
"Trains" by Porcupine Tree. To quote Douglas Adams in a complete non-sequitur, "You won't like it." Some of the finest turn of the century prog-rock though!
Okay, going way out on a limb here, but here it is:
Gerry Rafferty "Right Down The Line"
How about:
Texas 1947 Guy Clark
Pan American Boogie Kate MacKenzie
Freight Train Boogie Doc Watson
Streamline Cannonball Doc Watson
Wreck Of The 1262 Doc Watson
Southbound Doc Watson
Riding that New River Train Doc Watson
Lost John Doc Watson
Mark T.
Chas posted:
Reminded me of this version
Yankee Fans Check out Bernie Williams!
If you enjoy listening to Swing music, then check out Louis Jordan and his orchestra playing The Texas and Pacific.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyxpw4Jg00Q
Or a toe-tapper by Count Basie, Super Chief.
My all time favorite is "Die alte Dampfeisenbahn" performed by Die kaiserlich Boehmischen (The royal Bohemians) performed in 1972. Just type it into youtube and enjoy!
Miketg
Another vote for “City of New Orleans”
”Orange Blossom Special”, especially any Charley Daniels version
since no one has mentioned it, “Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat” from “Cats”
Monkey and the Engineer, Grateful Dead
Riding on a Railroad, James Taylor
City of New Orleans, Arlo Guthrie
Railroad Lady, Jimmy Buffett
Love Train, OJays
Steel Rail Blues, Gordon Lightfoot
John
I recall getting the titles of Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" and the O'Jays' "Love Train" confused as a wee lad.
'Course, this was about the time I read a Christmas songbook and wondered why "Joy to the World" had nary a mention of Jeremiah the bullfrog...
Mitch
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