WHAT TRAIN SONGS DO YOU LIKE?

From John Denver's CD "All Aboard":  "Jenny Dreamed of Trains" and "Daddy, What's a Train?"

From Shiloh Records CD "A Treasury of American Railroad Songs, Ballads and Folklore":  "Navisky," "Old Horny Toad," "Greenlight on the Southern," "John Santa Fe," "Ballad of the Frisco," and "Verde Valley Line."

Now, a question:  If anyone remembers a song that includes the specific refrain "in a boxcar painted blue," I would appreciate knowing the song title and media source. Somewhere, I have or had that song, but searching through my vinyl, audio cassette, and CD collections fails to locate it again.  I shall greatly appreciate any leads on it.

Saw/heard this one in "Sweet and Low-down" (or Lowdown - have seen it both ways) the other day, "Chug Chug Choo Choo Chug." Benny Goodman band playing, I believe.

Chug Chug Choo Choo Chug

David

Being a crusty old rock 'n roller at heart, "The Train Kept-A Rollin [All Night Long]'' by the 1960's English group, the Yardbirds -  BTW, what a great name for a group if you love trains!

Later the song was covered by Aerosmith, both versions rock!

-Len Carparelli

Night train - Jason Aldean

Crosstie walker - CCR

City of New Orleans Arlo Gunthrie

Runaway Train - Soul Asylum

Old Toy Trains - Toby Kieth

Train - 3 doors down

Locomotive Breath Jethro Tull

Casey Jones Johnny Cash

Train Train Blackfoot

Here's a cool one I forgot - for all you rock & rollers:

"All Down The Line" by the Rolling Stones, which appeared on their 1974 highly acclaimed double-album "Exile On Main Street"

-Len Carparelli

Freight train by Elizabeth Cotten.........Saw her do it live at "Sweetwater" in Mill Valley. Don

Takin' the Train by the Saw Doctors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAUf0u2sBL4

Train by The Clarks - you might recognize a forum member in the video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgXbLLWmPD0

End of the Line by The Traveling Wilburys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMVjToYOjbM

Len Carparelli posted:

Here's a cool one I forgot - for all you rock & rollers:

"All Down The Line" by the Rolling Stones, which appeared on their 1974 highly acclaimed double-album "Exile On Main Street"

 

-Len Carparelli

 

Another "cool one" that doesn't get a lot of mention.... "Long Twin Silver Line" by Bob Seger (from the Against the Wind LP)

Best train song is Johnny Cash:

People Get Ready - Rod Stewart version

The original recording of "The City of New Orleans" by Steve Goodman.

CBQer posted:

The original recording of "The City of New Orleans" by Steve Goodman.

City of New Orleans is one of the all time greats. Maybe my favorite. 
Who do you think has the best version?  
Alan

Like asking my favorite flavor of ice cream.  All the above plus "Ride the Train" by Alabama.                          j

I had occasion tonight the hear The Brothers Four sing their "500 Miles" again, reminding me of why it has been a favorite of mine for so long.

FrankM

(P.S. I realize how my saying that dates me, back to an era when I was changing from adolescence to young manhood, during the Folk Song phenomenon. And I'm glad for that. And as we are in the midst of beginning a New Year...

I drink a toast to and salute all of you...

ajzend posted:

CBQer posted:

The original recording of "The City of New Orleans" by Steve Goodman.

City of New Orleans is one of the all time greats. Maybe my favorite. 
Who do you think has the best version?  
Alan

City of New Orleans is also my favorite train song. My favorite version (a tough call because many great recording artists have done it) is the one by John Denver.

For those who have never heard "Ride The Train" by Alabama.          j

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vml9sb0-jQ

a second version with some good RR footage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPKHqV5zSh8

https://www.bing.com/videos/se...05AE02&FORM=VIRE

https://www.bing.com/videos/se...7085&FORM=WRVORC

chattoa nooga choo choo song!

Canadian Railroad Trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot.

I first came across this song in my early '20s when my brother and I were redoing the layout that my father built for us as kids.  It was a difficult process because it wasn't a full redo, we were trying to reuse much of what was already there.  The song reminded me that building a RR isn't easy.  It takes vision and sacrifice, and most of all persistence.  But in the end it's all worth it.  Have a listen!!

Good & Plenty, plenty good by choo-choo charlie.

Most of the above good.  Thought of one more, “Last Train to Clarksville”, by the Monkees. Yes I was a teenager in the 60’s.😎

CSN - https://youtu.be/nGNxkNzC4yQ

Neil Young, I mean Clyde Coil, sang Transformer Man.

I Want A Electric Train For Christmas-The Aquatones. 

It is time to contribute to this fantastic thread. I do not believe any of these have been mentioned yet, apologies if they already were.

I have linked all the songs, just click on the song to go to the YouTube page:

Railroad Man - Johnny Criner Quintet

Locomotive Man - Johnny Cash

900 Miles - Dion 

Who am I Rollin' By  - @Arnold D. Cribari

The Ballad of the Southern Pacific - Steve Spurgin 

Counting Those Railroad Cars - James Coffeey

Where do ya work'a John - Marrill Jay Singers    (This is very odd/interesting one.........)

Cargo Moving People - N&W

Kundalini Express - Love and Rockets

Waiting for a Train - Gene Autry

Night Train to Memphis - Roy Acuff

Ballad of 611 - Norfolk Southern  (Made for '91 anniversary)

This is a full album from James Brian Coffeey, he did most (if not all?) of the songs for the popular "I love Toy Trains" show from TM Books & Videos.

I Love Toy Trains - The Music

The songs are aimed towards children but they are very catchy. A few of my favorites: Streamliners, Big Train a Comin' , Toy Train Hall of Fame, Ghosts of the Rails, & Freedom Train

Enjoy!

Bryce

Chuck Berry's All Aboard

"On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe", sung by Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers.

Quite Simply......”BOX CAR WILLIE”........rest in Peace.......  

Neil Young’s “Southern Pacific” is another favorite of mine.

One After 909 - The Beatles

Homeward Bound - Simon & Garfunkel

Theme from Soul Train: The Sound of Philadelphia - MFSB

Oh, this is easy: "One Way Ticket (to the Blues)" by Eruption. On an endless loop in my train room.

Hal

Rounder CD 1128

Steel Rails: Classic RR Songs, VOlume 1

1. Wabash Cannonball - Roy Acuff

2. Orange Blossum Special - Johnson Mountain Boys

3. Daddy, What's a Train - Utah Phillips

4. Jimmie the Kid - Jimmie Rodgers

5. Ramblin Man - Kieran Kane

6. Steel Rails - Alison Krauss

7. Train Wreck Of Emotion - Del McCoury

8. Slow Moving Freight Train - Hugh Moffat

9. Lord of the Trains - Tom Russell

10. Last Train - Peter Rowan

11. Nine Pound Hammer - David Grisman With Doc Watson & Alan O'Bryant

12. When the Golden Train Comes Down - Sons of the Pioneers

13. Texas, 1947 - Guy Clark 

14. Pan American Boogie - Kate MacKenzie

Rounder CD 1129

Mystery Train: Classic RR Songs, Volume 2

1. Casey Jones - Johnny Cash 

2. Freight Train Boogie - Whitstein Brothers 

3. City of New Orleans - Steve Goodman

4. Mystery Train - Sleepy LaBeef

5. The Cannonball - The Carter Family

6. Big Black Train - Flatt & Scruggs

7. Red Ball to Natchez - Delmore Brothers & Wayne Raney

8. Take the "A" Train - Bob Willis & His Texas Playboys

9. Waiting for a Train - Hank Snow

10. Life's Railway To Heaven - Patsy Kline

11. Old Train - Tony Rice Unit

12. Bringin' in the Georgia Mail - Jim & Jesse

13. Train 45 - Stanley Brothers

14. Last Cannonball - Mary McCaslin

Rounder CD 1144

Night Train: Classic RR Songs, Volume 3

1. Choo Choo Ch' Boogie - Louis Jordan

2. Take the "A" Train - The Delta Rhythm Boys

3. All Aboard - Muddy Waters

4. Leaven' Memphis, Frisco Bound - Jesse Fuller

5. There's a Train - The Holmes Brothers

6. Rock Island Line - Linda Tillery & the Cultural Heritage Choir

7. Mainliner - Little Esther & The Robins

8. Railroadin' Some - Henry "Ragtime Texas" Thomas 

9. Mystery Train - Little Junior Parker & His Blue Flames

10. Night Train - Bill Doggett

11. Cannon Ball - Nora Lee King

12. B&O Blues - Joe Turner with Pete Johnson's Orchestra

13. Trouble in Mind - Sister Rosetta Tharpe with Lucky Millinder's Orchestea

14. Boggle Woggie Choo Choo Train - Brenda Boykin with The Johnny Nocturne Band

Rounder CD 82161-1152-2

Freight Train Blues: Classic RR Songs, Volume 4

1. Blue Train - Marty Stuart 

2. Don't You See That Train - Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick

3. One Way Ticket Back Home - Don Edwards with Tom Morrell & The Time-Warp Tophands

4. It Won't Be Long - Kathy Chiavola

5. Dixie Cannonball - Red Knuckles & The TrailBlazers

6. Freight Train Blues - Doc & Merle Watson

7. Hobo Blues - Lonesome River Band

8. Get a Transfer - Nashville Bluegrass Band

9. Next Stop Brattleboro - NRBQ

10. I Like Trains - Fred Eaglesmith

11. Kansas City Southern - Pure Prairie League

12. Trains Don't Run From Nashville - Kate Campbell

13. Boxcars - Joe Ely

14. My Baby Thinks She's a Train - Asleep at the Wheel

Rounder CD 82161 1159-2

Bluegrass Express

1. Riding That Midnight Train - Ralph Stanley & The Cinch Mountain Boys 

2. Lonesome Whistle Blues - The Dreadful Snakes

3. Passing of the Train - Rhonda Vincent 

4. I'm Blue & Lonesome - Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys

5. Train Forty-Five - Jimmy Martin 

6. The Wreck of Old 97 - Connie & Babe with the Backwoods Boys

7. Freight Train - Jim & Jesse

8. Long Train of Fools - The Lynn Morris Band

9. Freight Train Boogie - Don Reno & Tony Rice

10. Lonesome Railroad - The Stevens Sisters 

11. Reuben - Rob Ickes

12. Mr. Engineer - J. D. Crowe & The New South

13. Blame It on the Train - Alicia Nugent

14. Gospel Train - Mountain Heart

15. Bluegrass Express - The Osbourne Brothets

CD "All Aboard" performed by John Denver

1. Jenny Dreamed of Trains 

2. Freight Train Boogie / Choo Choo Ch' Boogie

3. Steel Rails

4. Waiting for a Train

5. Working on the Railroad

6. On the Atchison, Topeka, & the Santa Fe

7. Old Train

8. Daddy, What's a Train ?

9. The Little Train That Could

10. Last Train Done Gone Down

11. Last Hobo

12. People Get Ready

13. Lining Track

14. City of New Orleans

I keep all 4 of the above Rounder CDs & the John Denver CD permanently installed in my minivan.  

I listen to them on any drive over 30 minutes.

On my way to spring & fall BRHS meets, I listen to these CDs as I drive along former CB&Q main lines, branch lines, & abandoned lines.  The music on these CDs is very relaxing & gets me immersed in railfanning.  

One of the previous posters also mentioned the Roundet & John Denver CDs.

Enjoy !!!