Awesome song, are those the original lyrics?

I believe that the lyrics are the originals.

"City of New Orleans" is the greatest train song ever written in my opinion.

There is a great story behind it.

Read about Steve Goodman's time on the train !!

The song was written by Steve Goodman in 1970.  A great tribute to Steve, Arlo Guthrie and the various words that were used. Heard Steve Goodman in small concerts many times. Our kids grew up knowing most of his songs. He died at 36 from Leukemia.  The link is below. Also known for Cubs song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbvJOV...

That is Arlo Guthrie doing a Steve Goodman song. Don't like it with the sound effects of the simulator. 

"City of New Orleans" is the greatest train song ever written in my opinion.

Amen.

RR "music": the fewer banjos and harmonicas, the better.

===

Are there any/many (non-military) "airplane" songs? 

Johnny Cash's version of "The Orange Blossom Special" or maybe his "Wabash Cannonball."

Yes, of course. but this is the tune we grew up with in the 1950's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lDlfDtJYF8

Still used that expression over the years I was "working" on our layout.

Cheers.

While Arlo Guthrie's version of City of New Orleans is one of my favorite songs, as a Virginian I have to vote for The Wreck of the Old 97 by Johnny Cash!

Can't beat most of the songs by the Man in Black on this album, one I had an an LP as a kid and got on CD a year ago and listen to often:

FYI, for years I'd wondered about the photo they used for this album cover. I found the photo finally: http://www.allposters.com/-sp/...sters_i10527278_.htm

I am partial to Alabama's "Ride The Train" This came out in the late 70's on the Feels so Right Album.

Can't beat the first part of TRAIN by Blackfoot.  Great harmonica lick!!!

How about a track gang playing dice, and being surprised by an unscheduled train?

Chuck Berry; Let It Rock  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh9c6drdYGg

I suspect his guitar-playing was inspired by the clanking of steam-engine side-rods 

oh! and here I thought it would have been this one....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6XPqNuzqxo

When I saw the title of this thread I thought to my self: It hast o be "The City of New Orleans," and sure enough . . .   

I like Arlo Guthrie's version a lot, but I've always been partial to the Willie Nelson version and have an original album cover for that album framed on the wall of my trainroom.

Great, great railroad song!

Gee whiz, Lee.

Now you have gone and done it.

You're now completely responsible for the Webmaster's rant !!!

When he finds out, the fur is gonna fly !

I always liked Jack Straw by the Grateful Dead, but will be the first to admit it's not the greatest train song ever.  It does ok in a pinch though.

And there is always that train part in Johnny Cash's song Folsom Prison which ends in

'and when I hear that whistle blowin

I just hang my head and cry'

 a true O gauger's lament perhaps... 

I like the City of New Orleans, but prefer Johnny Mercer's version of "On the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe".

Special mention also to:  "Take the "A" Train" and "Orange Blossom Special"

Sorry to say I forgot about Johnny's "Wreck of Ol' 97."

Now, to bring this back on track for the O-27 and traditional O gauge train forum, I leave you with this song.

One of my favorite train songs....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDj17dbAgN8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3tlCqqg7lw

Anyone who ever watched Captain Kangeroo and caught that show's version of this (which used visuals from UP's film, "Last of the Giants") will recognize this when they hear it.

Sammi Smith City Of New Orleans - YouTube

A Captain Kangaroo reference!  Outstanding!  How could you remember that?  I watched as much Captain Kangaroo as anyone I would say as a kid and I sure didn't recognize it.  Thanks for sharing that.

There's also an improved version with a female singer and much better graphics don by the same fella (and no sound effects...)

I'll give him credit, it's pretty close to how I imagined the song all these years.

Rusty

I prefer trains songs written and performed by those who rode them

How about "Midnight Special"?  Probably been recorded thousands of times for over 100 years.

On that video of Blackfoot singing "Train Train"......I don't think the words "free spell check software" is a verse or a refrain in the song

My thoughts exactly!

Art

They didn't play it very often, so you could have missed it as a kid.

But imagine that song with color film of UP Challengers and Big Boys. Really hard to forget for a little train buff. If someone ever found a video of that version, it wouldn't be too tough to edit a copy of it as I now know they used scenes from that UP movie.

To be honest, I only recall a few things from that show overall, I knew Mister Moose used to drop tons of ping pong balls on the poor Captain, which was high comedy when you're about 6 years old. But I can't honestly say I remember much more than that from the show.

casey jones the  Greatful Dead

BEST.  TRAIN. SONG. EVER.:

Jon

Gentlemen,

   I like all the great Cash & Wille Train songs great stuff no doubt about it.  However my favorite train song was sung by Tenn Ernie Ford, way back in the 30's, its about Gods Train.

The songs name, is Get on Board.  No 2nd Class on board this train, no difference in the fare.

PCRR/Dave

Has Lionel, MTH, Golden Gate, anyone, made a City of New Orleans train set.  Growing up, I don't remember it being as famous as the Super Chief, city of LA, or 20th century Limited, but given the song, I'd love to have a set.

It would be too much to ask for switch in the dining car that would let you select between Guthie's and Nelsons version of the song to be played as it rolls along, but . . . I can dream!

One of my favorites is also one of the simplest: "I've Been Working on the Railroad".

Here's a pretty fair version by Pete Seeger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgINdoXz-ZY

Like its soulmate "You Are My Sunshine", there's really nothing to the song which, perhaps, is part of its charm.  

I just love the line "just to pass the time away".  It may be one of the first jokes I ever fully understood when I was a boy.

Lee I believe you can play music though a DCS engine

Clem

The famous story about Steve Goodman writing the song had to do with the phrase, "Passengers will please refrain . . . ," referring to the warning sign in car bathrooms not to flush the toilet while the train was in the station.

Goodman was on the Muskie campaign train when someone, apparently disregarding the sign, flushed the toilet in the open platform observation car. A campaign staffer came running through the staff car screaming that the bystanders listening to Muskie speaking from the rear car platform were being sprayed with excrement.

It got into the song which, IMO, is fabulous.

See my tag line !

p51, Here is the rest of the story

For me it is 'Big Iron Horses'.

My father was a Glenn Miller fan. My vote would be "Chattanooga Choo Choo." 

"City of New Orleans" is good music but downbeat lyrics about a poorly patronized train soon to be discontinued. Not so great for train fans.

Riding on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail ...

But all the towns and people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain't heard the news
The conductor sings his song again, the passengers will please refrain
This train's got the disappearing railroad blues

This is my favorite......Daddy What's a Train?

Peter

My favorites:

Flatt and Scruggs doing Orange Blossom Special

Aerosmith doing a version of Train Kept A Rollin.

and the aforementioned Blackfoot Train Train.

Harry Belafonte singing "John Henry" was one of my favorites as a kid. I never really paid attention to the lyrics of "City of New Orleans" and what it meant, I always thought it was an homage to what trains meant, not a dirge to their death

As far as the Orange Blossom special goes, if you want a good thrashing, go to a fiddling competition and try playing that as one of your tunes, some competitions have rules that specifically state "No Orange Blossom Special allowed"

Merle Haggard's My Love Affair with Trains album, especially "The Miner's Silver Ghost."

Runner up:  "Hobo Bill," Jimmy Rogers.

I like the cattanoga choochoo the glenn miller.And the 1970 remake I would perk up hearing it.The orange blossome special seaboard air line railroad.The train station in my home town.Had an oilpainting of the orange blossome special being pulled by a m2 mountain type.With its drive rods a blur.

What ever happened to Boxcar Willie?

Another of my favorite train songs!

Cool • Thread • Post • Tune & Story.........

Gentlemen,

   I like all the great Cash & Wille Train songs great stuff no doubt about it.  However my favorite train song was sung by Tenn Ernie Ford, way back in the 30's, its about Gods Train.

Dave

Thanks for mentioning Tennessee Ernie Ford.  Get on Board, Little Children is a great one.

Curtis Mayfield drew on similar themes for his classic 1965 Gospel/R&B crossover People Get Ready.  First recorded by the Impressions, it has been performed by many artists including Aretha Franklin, Al Green, The Staple Singers, Dusty Springfield, Jeff Beck & Rod Stewart, U2 and Alicia Keys.

This rendition of People Get Ready features Jeff Beck on Strat, Jason Rebello on keyboard, Tal Wilkenfeld on bass, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and vocals by the Queen of 21st century blue eyed soul Joss Stone.

Can you hear the Diesels hummin'? 

People get ready, there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord

So people get ready, for a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among those loved the most

There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Whom would hurt all mankind just to save his own, believe me now
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place against the kingdoms throne

So people get ready there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

Favorite Train songs:

1. City of New Orleans, Arlo Guthrie
2. Casey Jones, Grateful Dead
3. Runaway Train, Soul Asylum
4. Glendale Train, New Riders of the Purple Sage
5. Midnight Special, Creedence Clearwater Revival
6. Tracks of my tears, Linda Ronstadt  
7. We call it Riding the Gravy Train, Pink Floyd 

I couldn't help the last two. Had to include them.   Some of these are covers of the original song but these are my favorite versions.

For me, it's these below. With the movie End of the Line, it's the opening credits with that music and ending.

And below is one of my favorites is this soundtrack, which I bet not to many people knew it was instrumental.

Lots of good ones out there, for sure......Chuck Berry - All Aboard !

Roger Miller "Old Toy Trains" 1967 - YouTube

▶ 2:11

 

Not really a train song but does anyone remember the old "Choo Choo Charlie" Good & Plenty candy commercial jingle?

One of my favorites The story of The Jupiter and the 119 by Railroad Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uy1dXoSaGE

Although I still favor "The City of New Orleans" as the best train song, I would say that my favorite train song artist is Johnny Cash. I had the pleasure of attending a show by Johnny Cash where he sang predominantly train songs, and I was ecstatic with his talent.

Not really a train song but does anyone remember the old "Choo Choo Charlie" Good & Plenty candy commercial jingle?

Love it! Still know all the words. 

It is a great song. My favorite is this one by Johnny Cash (he has several on YouTube) because I can EASILY UNDERSTAND ALL THE WORDS! I am hard of hearing and have problems understanding songs, but not sung by Johnny Cash.

Alex

Patsy Cline - Lifes Railway To Heaven

Click on here to see this on You Tube.

Want them to sing this at my funeral.

Agreed.  I'll take Chattanooga Choo Choo any day.

Still one of my favorites - pretty song, beautiful voice, and nice to watch. (helps if you know Italian . . .)

Alex

I don't need to know Italian to know what she means when she looks at me and sings 'su amore...'

A little big in the booty no?  Which begs this joke from back in the day.

What's the difference between an Italian woman and an elephant?

About ten pounds and a mustache..

Veering off topic now... Sorry, my bad, back to regular programming.  Ciao.

http://youtu.be/7Uh8IZLxzfg

Marty Brown Freight Train

from somewhere in the 90's.  liked his voice and bought his 1st couple albums.  he dropped off and appeared on America's got talent last year.

As a life long train fan, I find the "City of new Orleans," particularly with Steve Goodman's original recording, a celebration of the the train even though it was in its declining years.

Rusty

My strings are wound up a little tighter and louder....and go to 11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lermqfhhJx4

    A Famous Railroad Tune, from Michigan

Performed by the: Monroe Michigan Big Band

     There are community bands all across the USA & Canada. You will find one near your train layout.

Community Bands are World Wide.

xxxxxxxxxx

Roger,

   Patsy's Life's Railway to Heaven, that sir is quite a piece of music, and one of her favorites.  I can understand why you like it so much.  I got to see her sing it live, both Patsy Cline and Tennessee Ernie Ford were given incredible gifts, and they both knew where that gift came from, and both sang about it.

PCRR/Dave 

Lots of good ole' standbys so far.  Here's one from another long gone artist.

Little Feat's, New Delhi Freight Train.  Sure do miss Lowell George. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51f4q93GBMc

Bruce

King of the Road - Roger Miller

From: Cincinnati, Ohio

Lets welcome the Boyer Sisters to the OGR Forum

The Boyer Sisters sing "Chattanooga Choo Choo"

Published on Feb 20, 2015, a Public Video On YouTube.

They are a new "Swing Group on You Tube" 

If you like Big Band Music, you will like this tune.

Take a look & listen....... Gary

Gary

I have always loved The City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie. I also love the Wabash Cannonball by Roy Acuff.

Midnight Flyer by The Eagles and I've been workin' on the railroad by my dad. (RIP, Dad.)

I've always loved the City of New Orleans, still know all the words.

But check this out... Big Rock Candy Mountain, performed by the 80's group The Beat Farmers, with the late Country Dick Montana on vocals. Pay close attention to the lyrics. Enjoy!!!

I did a little digging and discovered that this youtube version has the last verse whistled over. This is how it is supposed to end:

In the Big Rock Candy Mountain the jails are made of tin
And you can walk right out again as soon as you are in
There ain't no short handled shovels, no axes saws or picks
I'm a goin to stay where you sleep all day
Where they hung the jerk that invented work
In the Big Rock Candy Mountain
I'll see you all this coming fall in the Big Rock Candy Mountain

I bought the digital version off iTunes, and it's the same as the video. I'll have to check my vinyl. I think that version is complete.

Further digging yielded this:

I knew the song was old, and the Beat Farmers just covered it, but I had no idea how old. Try 87 years!!! Looks like the second video may be by the guy who wrote it. Still like Country Dick's voice best.

. 

Hey Woody did RR tunes too.

Running, I'm more likely listening to...

Howlin' Wolf- Smokestack lighting, Who's been talking, or maybe Clutch Gravel road then their "Who's been talkin'" cover (2cnd).

Mystery Train- The King, Neil Young, The Band...You name um, it got covered

  Because its been known as a sing along nursery rhyme for so long,  I think "I've been working on the railroad" wins.

Down by the station early in the morning; see the little puffer-bellies all in a row 

It may not be the greatest railroad tune (there are no words to remember), but I sometimes listen to "Last Train Home" by Pat Metheny, while running the trains.   Earl G.

I am familiar with "Big Rock Candy Mountain", I have the version from the Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, which was recorded by Harry McClintock. ITunes says the recording is from 1928.

I like the song, still I don't really think of it as a railroad song.

I agree with Marty, there are a lot of good songs on that soundtrack.

City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie.....

I'm in the same camp as Jim Sutter and favor the Wabash Cannon Ball and City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie and Roy Acuff.[also,I like a fiddle in the band for railroad songs].

Two of my all-time railroad song favorites are by blues master Bukka White. First being recorded in 1930 - "The Panama Limited". The second is "The Fast Special Streamline", recorded in 1940. Note how Bukka changed with the times. In between these recording sessions he did a little time at Parchman Farm for murder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oVD7N5tf2c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CgmQvJpo4k

Also really like Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues", recorded early 1930's. At 1:49 , he describes "Big 80 left Savannah, Lord she did not stop, You oughta seen that colored fireman get that boiler hot" (!)     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnWxZtI3ONY

And of course Leadbelly's immortal  "Rock Island Line":   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qITv8uQTZA

Lonnie Donnegan, the British skiffle player (British rock n roll predecessor) did a rousing version, too, (as did Johnnie Cash, Paul McCartney, et al): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI4nRD-DRpk     (see 2:17 for the crescendo)