i HAVE BECOME FOND OF BOOGIE WOOGIE CHOO CHOO TRAIN, Here is the link to it on you tube. post some links to what you like
Steve
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
My top 10 list:
10. A Passage to Bangkok, Rush, 1976
9. Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne, 1981
8. Driver 8, REM, 1985
7. Locomotive Breath, Jethro Tull, 1971
6. Long Train Runnin', Doobie Brothers, 1973
5. Midnight Train to Georgia, Gladys Knight and the Pips, 1973
4. Peace Train, Cat Stevens, 1971
3. Railroad Song, Lynryd Skynryd, 1975
2. Train Kept a Rollin', Aerosmith, 1974; Tiny Bradshaw, 1951
1. Train Whistle Blues by Jimmie Rodgers, 1929
--Greg
Doug Stone- I'd be Better Off (In a Pine Box)
Anything by James Coffey fits the bill, but I always have a soft spot for City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie.
Originally Posted by Greg Houser:
My top 10 list:
2. Train Kept a Rollin', Aerosmith, 1974; Tiny Bradshaw, 1951
--Greg
What? No Johnny Burnette? 
(The Aerosmith track IS a great song!)
5:15 by The Who
Can't Ignore the Train by 10,000 Maniacs, and Peace Train by 10,000 Maniacs, a remake of the Cat Stevens song.
Downbound Train by Bruce Sprinsteen
Morning Train by Sheena Easton
John Denver's train album for kids, the last one he recorded before his death in 1997, and the only grammy he ever won (It is unbelievable with all the great music JD recorded, he never won another grammy).
I also agree with my good friend Greg Houser on REMs Driver 8
Erol Gurcan
Roger Miller Old Toy Trains
Originally Posted by mike.caruso:
Originally Posted by Greg Houser:
My top 10 list:
2. Train Kept a Rollin', Aerosmith, 1974; Tiny Bradshaw, 1951
--Greg
What? No Johnny Burnette? (The Aerosmith track IS a great song!)
I couldn't remember who else did it! I know the Yardbirds released it too and Led Zep opened with it for awhile on their first tours.....Greg
City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie is one of my favorite songs of any kind.
Art
Any train related song by Johnny Cash. On the other hand I can't stand the songs on the TM train videos, absolutely horrible.
John.
Train Train by Black Foot Choo Choo Kenny
I like that '50s song "GeeGee you're the One" by the Pantographs.
The "Riding the Rails" album by the Smithsonian back in 1981.
"Rock Island Line" and "Blue Water Line" by The Brothers Four (60's)
"I've been working on the railroad" by Mitch Miller. My mother told me I used to dance to it while still a baby. She was so excited when she found the album and brought it home to show my Dad!
Unfortunately he had to remind her that we didn't own a record player.
ps: I did have a LIONEL stereo as a kid that I found in the trash.
Chattanooga Choo Choo - The Andrews Sisters w/onscreen lyrics
Any trains songs by Johnny Cash. My parents had this exact album when I was a kid and I almost wore the thing out on the record player. Recently, I found that the Sun Records label re-released it on CD a while back, and immediately bought a copy. I still love it!
I listened to a few Sun records as a kid, and when my wife and I were in Memphis last year, I had to make the trek to the very studio this album was recorded in:
My favorite trains song:
The Southern Railroad Blues
by Norman Blake
Followed closely by:
The Last Train From Poor Valley
by Norman Blake
https://archive.org/details/ti...-07-20_3-set-AUD.fob
Also:
Flat Picker/Randall Collins
http://youtu.be/UEkVkJax2Co?list=PL2C2EF8D03312A604
Railroad Blues
New River Train - w/Tony Rice
Green Light on The Southern - w/Tony Rice
Slow Train Through Georgia
Wabash Cannonball
Norman has written & recorded many train songs & covers of other train songs.
You can find some on You Tube & the Internet Archive. He's probably my favorite
musician/songwriter.
Dave
Off the top of my head...
"Wabash Cannonball"
"Wreck of ol' 97"
"Life is Like a Mountain Railroad"
"The Orange Blossom Special" - especially Johnny Cash's version!
"Chattanooga Choo Choo" - even the '70's disco version ain't all that bad! lol
"The Ballad of Casey Jones"
Oh yeah, and this one too!
"I Want an Electric Train for Christmas"
My absolute favorite is:
There's Another Train by the Poozies. It has a real message for anyone who is ready to give up on him or herself.
Originally Posted by RichO:
"I've been working on the railroad" by Mitch Miller. My mother told me I used to dance to it while still a baby. She was so excited when she found the album and brought it home to show my Dad!
Unfortunately he had to remind her that we didn't own a record player.
ps: I did have a LIONEL stereo as a kid that I found in the trash.
My dad was stationed at Camp Fannin Texas and he went to The Cotton Bowl and asked someone why they wer playing "I've been working on the railroad". A rather large Texan leaned towards my dad and said, "Son, that's The Eyes of Texas!"
Larry
Anything Johnny Cash sings... when driving it just makes the trip go faster.
Originally Posted by handyandy:
Off the top of my head...
"Wabash Cannonball"
"Wreck of ol' 97"
"Life is Like a Mountain Railroad"
"The Orange Blossom Special" - especially Johnny Cash's version!
"Chattanooga Choo Choo" - even the '70's disco version ain't all that bad! lol
"The Ballad of Casey Jones"
Oh yeah, and this one too!
"I Want an Electric Train for Christmas"
+1 handyandy, you have good taste in music!
Asleep at the Wheel - Chattanooga Choo Choo
Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special
Grateful Dead - Railroad Blues
Grateful Dead - Monkey and the Engineer
Grateful Dead - I Know You Rider
Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath
Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans
Jorma Kaukonen - Blue Railroad Train
Dan Hicks - Santas Got a New Choo Choo
to name a couple off the top of my head...
Paul
With this thread and the other one mentioned, no one said Willie Nelson's Railroad Lady. One of my favorites and anything JC did. Looks like I gotta start looking for that JC railroad CD👍
Oh yeah one more yenz are leaving out. The Rolling Stones Love in Vain
Originally Posted by mike.caruso:
Originally Posted by Greg Houser:
My top 10 list:
2. Train Kept a Rollin', Aerosmith, 1974; Tiny Bradshaw, 1951
--Greg
What? No Johnny Burnette? (The Aerosmith track IS a great song!)
Aerosmith train kept a Rollin.. Agreed.
Whatever happened to Boxcar Willie?
Originally Posted by handyandy:
Whatever happened to Boxcar Willie?
He passed away some time ago. I loved his whistle.
Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotten
Grateful Dead "Monkey and the Engineer"
( If you have kids or grandkids - they will like this )
Todd snider Train song
Aerosmith Back Back Train
Originally Posted by MartyLJ:
Originally Posted by handyandy:
Whatever happened to Boxcar Willie?
He passed away some time ago. I loved his whistle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wJPXJjenFk
My Dad could do that whistle also. However, it is probably not a good thing. It is called a "glottal shock", and it not so good on one's vocal cords. Still wish I could do it!
I'm Movin' On (Hank Snow)
Golden Rocket (Hank Snow)
Midnight Special (Lead Belly, CCR, Johnny Rivers)
Kansas City Southern (Pure Prairie League)
Engine Engine #9 (Roger Miller)
King of the Road (Roger Miller)
Choo Choo Train (YouTube favorite of my 2 year old grandson)
Also as mentioned above...Railroad Lady, Rock Island Line, Orange Blossom Special, Wabash Cannonball, etc.
My two favorites are:
City of New Orleans by Willie Nelson
Old Toy Trains by Roger Miller
Folsom prison blues -- although I never could figure why he was in prison in California if he shot a man in Reno Nevada
Smokestack Lightning - Yardbirds version.
Roger Miller King of the Road
City of New Orleans - I like the Willie Nelson cover best.
Prodigal Town - not specifically about trains but mentioned them in an important way. I like the version by Wake the Dead best.
I'm partial to this one:
Also this one:
;-)
Mitch
"All aboard" and "Let it rock"...by Chuck Berry, off the top of my head.
Old Toy Trains By Roger Miller.
Not in any order:
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Orange Blossom Special
City of New Orleans
Wabash Cannonball
King of the Road
Engine, Engine No. 9
"The Wabash Cannonball" by The Duttons in Branson MO. It was a great tribute to Boxcar Willy! Many fans of country western music request this version at the Swallows Bar in San Juan Capistrano CA. There is also a busy vintage ATSF now Amtrak/Metrolink station within walking distance. I will post pictures soon. Just learning the upload procedures. Thank you and enjoy!
Originally Posted by J Daddy:
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.
Also The Golden Rocket, especially by Hank Snow, and The Pan American, written but never recorded by Hank Williams.
City of New Orleans.
Sung by Willie Nelson.
Sung by Willie Nelson.
My Baby Thinks He's a Train by Rosanne Cash(?). And a third or fifth or whatever to The City of New Orleans and The Orange Blossom Special.
'Course, there ain't no bad ones!!
My tag line
Always a favorite of mine.
Others to add to the list so far:
Love Train-The O'Jays (The Coors Light Express song!!)
Midnight Special-CCR
Breakdown by Jack Johnson
Long Black Train by Josh Turner
I've been Workin' on the Railroad---classic
I have a few not yet mentioned here. First some bluegrass.
tuesday's gone lynyrd skynyrd,
Originally Posted by Greg Houser:
Originally Posted by mike.caruso:
Originally Posted by Greg Houser:
My top 10 list:
2. Train Kept a Rollin', Aerosmith, 1974; Tiny Bradshaw, 1951
--Greg
What? No Johnny Burnette? (The Aerosmith track IS a great song!)
I couldn't remember who else did it! I know the Yardbirds released it too and Led Zep opened with it for awhile on their first tours.....Greg
Motorhead did a pretty good version of that song too! They also have another train related song called "Riding with the Driver."
A few others are Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull, The Railroad Song by Lynyrd Skynyrd, 5:15 by The Who, Train Train by Blackfoot, Old Train by Monster Truck, Rock N' Roll Train by AC/DC, Crazy Train by Ozzy, and of course the classics such as Chattanooga Choo Choo, and Take the A Train.
~Jeffrey
And from across the pond, Fairport Convention's Traveling by Steam.
Johnny Cash..... and
If it's a train song I probably like it.
And a song about commuting by rail by Jethro Tull. Also from across the pond, but maybe not your cup of tea. (Get it? Across the pond, not your cup of tea? I crack myself up sometimes.)
And if you're reading this in the U.S.A., a song from north of the border. Gordon Lightfoot's epic Canadian Railroad Trilogy.
The soundtrack of the film: Mystery Train.
Green, Green Grass of Home. Sad, with a surprise ending song.
There's even an Australian railroad song. Crikey. I like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdKEbnS1eBE
Curtis Mayfield People Get Ready. Rod Stewart did a more recent cover, but Curtis' version is better.
Don
Originally Posted by Quick Casey:
And a song about commuting by rail by Jethro Tull. Also from across the pond, but maybe not your cup of tea. (Get it? Across the pond, not your cup of tea? I crack myself up sometimes.)
I'm a big JT fan, but never heard this one, at least I don't remember hearing it? Locomotive Breath is a fun song to play.
Don
With all due respect to Johnny Cash, Arlo Guthrie and Glen Miller (all recorded some great railroad songs)…Anything from this Hank Snow album always does it for me…..especially The Last Ride and Ghost Trains.
Attachments
Images (1)
The Grateful Dead played a load of train songs. Casey Jones, Big Railroad Blues, Monkey and the Engineer, Bertha, to name a few...
I think "Classic Railroad Songs" from Smithsonian Folkways is a great compilation of railroad songs. Check it out on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-...assic+railroad+songs
George
How about a song about the absence of trains?
Originally Posted by mike.caruso:
Originally Posted by Greg Houser:
My top 10 list:
2. Train Kept a Rollin', Aerosmith, 1974; Tiny Bradshaw, 1951
--Greg
What? No Johnny Burnette? (The Aerosmith track IS a great song!)
It was also done by the Yardbirds in the 60's
Don
Casey Jones by the Dead and anything by Grand Funk.
City Of New Orleans-Arlo Guthrie and Wabash Cannonball-Roy Acuff.
Okay not one of my all time favorites but I remember when I was a youngen my father like this old song " someone is in the kitchen with Dinah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGQo1TsEJqQ
One of my favorites thou is by the Boxtop's ticket to ride
My three favorites are Arlo Guthrie's City of New Orleans, Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy, and Utah Phillips song Tolono.
Another great collection CD is "The Iron Horse" Vintage Railroad Songs, 1926-1952.
http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-...ntage+Railroad+Songs
George
Originally Posted by p51:
Originally Posted by J Daddy:
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!
Attachments
Images (1)
"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
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.
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
Attachments
Images (1)
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
It was Christmas time and I can remember laying on the floor running the trains while listening to Doris Day sing "Sentimental Journey" on the radio and it has been my fave ever since, followed by Glenn Miller's Chattanooga Choo Choo.
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...
Attachments
Images (1)
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.
"Monkey And The Engineer"
Grateful Dead
Album, "Reckoning" 1980
Songwriter, Jesse Fuller
Here, have a listen for your enjoyment ( sorry if there is an ad )
Once upon a time there was an engineer.
Drove a locomotive both far and near.
Accompanied by a monkey who would sit on a stool
Watching everything the engineer would do
Drove a locomotive both far and near.
Accompanied by a monkey who would sit on a stool
Watching everything the engineer would do
One day the engineer wanted a bite to eat,
He left the monkey sitting on the driver's seat,
The monkey pulled the throttle, the locomotive jumped the gun
And did 90 miles an hour down the mainline run.
He left the monkey sitting on the driver's seat,
The monkey pulled the throttle, the locomotive jumped the gun
And did 90 miles an hour down the mainline run.
Big locomotive right on time, big locomotive coming down the line.
Big locomotive No. 99, left the engineer with a worried mind.
Big locomotive No. 99, left the engineer with a worried mind.
The engineer called up the dispatcher on the phone,
To tell him all about his locomotive was gone.
Got on the wire, switch operator to the right,
Cause the monkey's got the main line sewed up tight.
The switch operator got the message on time,
Said there's a Northbound Limited on the same main line,
Cause the monkey's got the main line sewed up tight.
The switch operator got the message on time,
Said there's a Northbound Limited on the same main line,
Open up the switch I'm gonna let him through the hole,
Cause the monkey's got the locomotive under control.
Cause the monkey's got the locomotive under control.
Big locomotive right on time, big locomotive coming down the line.
Big locomotive No. 99, left the engineer with a worried mind.
Big locomotive right on time, big locomotive coming down the line.
Big locomotive No. 99, left the engineer with a worried mind.
Big locomotive No. 99, left the engineer with a worried mind.
left the engineer with a worried mind.
left the engineer with a worried mind.
Steve
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.😎
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
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.........)
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.
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 !!!
Locomotion.
Original by Little Evy.
Mid 1970's version by Grand Funk Railroad
Pacific 231 an orchestral work celebrating the Pacific steam locomotive( using European loco classification 2-3-1 as opposed to the Whyte classification used in North America 4-6-2) by composer Arthur Honegger. Honegger was a train enthusiast who passionately loved steam locomotives. With this composition he's able to get a symphony orchestra to sound just like a steam locomotive. The piece was written in 1923. There is also a 1949 French film about steam locomotives entitled 231 which uses Honegger's score as the background music.
On he pop/folk side of music my favorite is City of New Orleans. I also love the bluegrass rendition of Orange Blossom Special.
Some of the railroad songs I like..............
Atlantic Coastline Railroad Man by UPSALA
Railroad Bill by Dylan
This Train Don't Stop There Anymore by Elton John
Canadian Pacific & Steel Rail Blues by George Hamilton
A Railroad Bum by Jim Reeves
Railroad Lady by Jimmy Buffet or Willie Nelson
Freight Train by Casey Chambers
Two Trains by Little Feat
Railroad Song by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Freight Train Blues by Marvin Rainwater
One Of These Trains by New Grass Revival
Downtown Train by Rod Stewart
Daddy Was A Railroad Man by Seldom Scene
Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad by Seldom Scene
Never Marry A Railroad Man by Shocking Blue
@L.I.TRAIN posted:i HAVE BECOME FOND OF BOOGIE WOOGIE CHOO CHOO TRAIN, Here is the link to it on you tube. post some links to what you like
Steve
Life's Railway to Heaven
Orange Blossom Special
Ray
Good & Plenty - choo choo charlie was an engineer...
"GiGi you're the one", by the Pantographs
Click on linked text to hear it on YouTube.
Rock Island Line
City of New Orleans- John Goodman
Casey Jones- Grateful Dead
Ramblin Man- Hank Williams Sr, Jr & III
Train Train- Blackfoot
I'm So Lonsome I could Cry- Hank Williams SR
The Pressure is On- Hank Williams Jr
Orange Blossom Special- CDB
Wabash Cannonball- Ernest Tubb as well as Glenn Campbell
Waiting for a Train- Ernest Tubb
Train Keep a Rolling- Aerosmith
Downtown Train- Rod Stewart
Gallopin Goose- C.W. McCall
. . . just to name a few
@Jim R. posted:Click on linked text to hear it on YouTube.
nice, also their "Wednesday Morning"
Fort Worth and Denver Blues (1928) and Katy Blues (1928), Bessie Tucker. Can be found on Youtube. Reflective of a time when railroads played a much more prominent place in people's lives.
Smokestack Lightnin - Chester Arthur Burnett aka Howlin' Wolf
She Took the Katy - Taj Mahal
Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
Love in Vain - Robert Johnson
Train Kept a Rolling - Aerosmith
Train Leaves Here This Morning - Eagles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3aS7370jLc
Wikipedia has quite the train song list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_train_songs
I always was kind of touched by "Jenny Dreams of Trains", where a little girl loves trains, goes to watch them, and eventually ends up driving them, very sweet song.
Ballad of the FRISCO, used as background music to a slide show I created at https://animoto.com/play/MKxuqdQ1QWOnTp2oplBSMg
Why the FRISCO? My paternal grandfather was a steam locomotive engineer for that road, and an ancestral cousin, a FRISCO brakeman, died in the performance of his duty.
"Bluebird of the Wabash" may be the all-around best railroad song. It actually has a short story inside the song! There's no video to go with it, but the song stands on its own, IMO...
Here's the song, "Bluebird of the Wabash" and a few of my Wabash pix.
Attachments
Images (7)
Audio (1)
In descending order…
Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot
City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore- Michelle Shocked
Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
Blood on the Coal - The Folksmen (A Mighty Wind Soundtrack)
Lot’s of good ones mentioned but I saw Steve Goodman live a few times. I loved everything about him. So For me it’s Steve singing “City of New Orleans”. I don’t have a second choice.
The Log Train. By Hank Williams SR.
@ChiTown Steve posted:Lot’s of good ones mentioned but I saw Steve Goodman live a few times. I loved everything about him. So For me it’s Steve singing “City of New Orleans”. I don’t have a second choice.
I agree with you. If I had to pick just one, it would be that one done by Steve Goodman even though I like some of the other versions such as Guthrie's.
I agree with CA John: Gordon Lightfoot's "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" is deserving of the best; Steve Goodman/Arlo Guthrie's knockoff of Goodman's "City of New Orleans" is nearly as good, but coming up fast on the inside is "Bluebird of the Wabash", a song like no other - it has a 50's railroad story inside the song! (above)
"Chicago Flyer" by Meade Lux Lewis. Superb train inspired boogie woogie master piece recorded deep in the railroad era (1944).
Another.......Tuba Skinny: "Freight Train Blues". Traditional New Orleans jazz version.
All above plus "Ride The Train" by Alabama
I am surprised no one has mentioned:
"The wreck of the 97"
I think I have the title right, it is an oldie that goes back to 30s or 40s
"Texas & Pacific", a jump blues by West Coast bluesman Louis Jordan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHzz5pp5YXI
A real finger popper, from the great railroad era!
Meet The Trio Ladies as they put a new spin on a classic tune. “Chattanooga Choo Choo”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYL3ZDuxeIo
This tune was published on YT on June 3, 2019 and has over 318 K views.
Gary 🚂
Attachments
Images (1)
That's a hard question! Pretty much anything by Boxcar Willie. My band is named: "The Glacier Line (after my railroad) Jammers Band."
We do a very wide variety of songs. YES, of course, we do railroad and railroad related songs.
In fact, we have performed two EXCLUSIVE performances of train songs.
The first was near Mr. Muffins Trains in Atlanta, Indiana; at the Railroad Festival. June 2019
The Second was at the original Monon Depot in Carmel, Indiana in September of 2020.
Wabash Cannonball
The Wreck of The Old 97
Casey Jones
Chattanooga Choo Choo
I've Been Working On The Railroad
Little Red Caboose
I Love The Sound Of A Whistle
Waiting For A Train
Many, many, others...
Attachments
Images (1)
Train Leaves Here This Morning- Gene Clark
I've Been Everywhere- Johnny Cash
No one has mentioned an album that must make the Top Five list:
Merle Haggard My Love Affair with Trains
“Nighttime in the Switching Yard”, Warren Zevon.
Riding on that new river train.
Riding on that new river train.
It's the same ol' train that brought me here.
And gonna take me back again.
Gotta be Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans
I can’t believe nobody mentioned Johnny Cash’s Folsom prison blues. Excellent train song -
I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone.
"Smokestack Lightning" the Yardbirds live version, guitar does an amazing rendition of a steam locomotive working hard
"Train Train" by Blackfoot
"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne
My top 5
1. Princess of the Night Saxon
2. Engine 143 Johnny Cash
3. Legend of John Henry Johnny Cash
4. Downbound Train Bruce Springsteen
5. Long Train Running Doobie Brothers
A few more.......
"Night Train" by Steve Winwood
"Last Train Home" by Pat Metheny
"New Delhi Freight Train" by Little Feat
"Red Streamliner" by Little Feat
Two come to mind, and they've probably been shared in the 5 previous pages, but here they are:
Led Zeppelin's cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's Bring it on Home"
and Taj Mahal's She Caught the Katy
