I had the opportunity to take the train from Cincinnati to Chicago. When I arrived at the station, I was in awe of it! Built in 1931 with Art Deco Architecture, the station functioned as passenger station until 1972 when Amtrak built a smaller station nearby. The building was mostly empty from 1972 to 1980 when a shopping mall called “The Land of Oz” opened. The mall closed in 1985. Some time after that, two museums merged and opened the Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990. In 1991, Amtrak returned to the station. In 2018, the station was completely restored to its original Art Deco glory. The historic train station is not only a working Amtrak station, but also houses Duke Energy Children’s Museum, an Omnimax Theatre, the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, the Cincinnati History Library and Archives, a Museum of Natural History & Science, and several food services.
A view of the front in the morning.
A view of the station at night.
The interior is just as beautiful as the exterior
The station is completely restored inside and out.
If you are in the area, I recommend a visit to this beautiful, historic building. The interior is open most of the day for viewing, but the museums and other places are only open certain hours. To see more photos of this Art Deco masterpiece, visit my gallery. Also to hear about the actual train trip and my time in Chicago, visit Tourist in Your Town Podcast.
September is my birthday month and in honor of me, I decided to share my favorite images. I previously share my favorite simple images and my favorite window photos. This week, I thought I would share my favorite train photography.
Steam Engines
Like many photographers, I love steam trains. There is just something about the smoke rolling from the stacks. My favorite is just before take off when the smoke releases from below.
Steam train just before take offTrain crossing the trestle with steam blowingReleasing steam
On the Train
When we visited New York City, we took the train up. These are some photos that I took on that trip.
The sleeping car on the Crescent Route with Amtrak.The dining car on the Crescent
Train Stations and Depots
The train stations and depots have their own charms. Some are beautiful, historic buildings currently still in use for passenger trains. But many have been repurposed as visitor’s centers or craft shops.
Main Street Station in Richmond, VAAshland Train Depot is also the visitor’s centerGreenback Depot in downtown Greenback, TNThe visitor’s center in Loudon, TN.
Yes, I am slightly obsessed with trains and train depots. That feeling of nostalgia when you step inside. Of course, I have not doubt that original passenger trains were uncomfortable rides. But it’s nice to imagine having the time and money to take the train across the country. Some day.
As much as I carry my camera around with me, I do sometimes find myself without it when there is a photo that needs to be taken. Cell phone cameras these days are pretty nice. I won’t get super large prints from the files, but small to medium sized prints will look excellent from these files. Here is a quick gallery of recent phoneography on the train to New York.Â
This is what the dining car on the Crescent line looks like at 3am. I was going through to the bathroom, did not have my camera, so I took it with my phone. The dining car at dinner, as the sun was setting. We went in for dinner. I did not bring my camera, because I was hungry and tired. But the sun coming through that window was more than I could resist. Cell phone worked great. The view from the window as we were entering New York City on the Crescent line. The camera was picking up so much dirt on the windows, so I tried the cell phone. I’m happy with this the way it came out.Â
In September 2018, I visited NYC. Read about that visit here. While there, I took tons of photos. Two of those images were accepted into a juried exhibition called “Glimpses of Our World”. Naturally, my husband and I decided we needed to go NYC for the artist’s reception. My husband doesn’t fly and driving seemed like a stressful nightmare. So, we decided to take the train. Specifically, the Amtrak Crescent, which runs from New Orleans to New York City.
At the Station
Knoxville does not have a station, so we had to drive to Charlotte, NC to get on the train. Did I mention the train was leaving at 1:45am? It took just over 4 hours to drive to Charlotte. Did I mention this was something we just really wanted to do? When we got to the station, I was a bit surprised by the size of it. I had seen photos of the exterior. Since the Charlotte Station is the fifth busiest station in the Southern US, I expected it to be a bit bigger on the inside. It was not. The building was originally built in 1962 by Southern Railway. It has not changed since then. Although, I have read that Charlotte is planning a larger transit station to be finished in 2024.
Outside the Charlotte Station
Inside the Charlotte Station
On Board
Once on the train, our porter, Vincent, helped us find our roomette. A wee space, great for 1 person, acceptable for 2. The seats fold down to make a cot. And an upper bunk slides down. When you get a sleeper, you also get a porter. Vincent was a excellent! He made sure we got breakfast and lunch and did not miss our stop. He switched our roomette from the night layout to the day layout (2 seats). We talked to Vincent about his hometown of New Orleans, another place now on our list of places to visit! We slept well, once we got used to the movement of the train. People in roomettes get breakfast and lunch on the day train. Both meals were fair. Better than an airplane meal, which is a rarity anyway these days. Lunch is a prepared menu, so don’t get too excited about a gourmet train lunch.
Hubby slept on the top bunk.
Day set up. Two comfy seats across from one another.
A small table can be folded out during the day set up. Also, bring your own checkers.
Lunch menu
Yes, there is beer here.
The veggie burger was decent
The regular burger was fine.
A great way to travel
The great part about train travel is that you get to see a little more of the US than if you drove. Of course, we were moving pretty fast so unless there was a stop, it was difficult to take any photos. But it inspired us to drive the route and see some of those beautiful towns and cities some day. Another thing I like, is that when you go to the dining car, they will seat with you someone you don’t know if there is space at their table. This is a great way to meet some interesting people and learn about new places to see! If you do not want to do this, they are accommodating and will allow you to sit alone, if there is room. For breakfast, I sat with a young man from Canada. He was not very interested in chatting, and that was fine.
View from the train
View from the train
View from the train
Baltimore Station
A little issue with the roomette though. There is an actual toilet in the roomette. This is just awkward and weird for me. Fortunately, there was no smell, which was my biggest concern. Other restrooms were available 3 cars up in Coach. So, I admit, that I did break down and use the in room facilities. It was not the worst thing ever. That being said, Amtrak, please remove these and just put a facility in each passenger car. I know that is the way it is in the newer trains. But maybe the Crescent could use a quick retrofit?
The toilet in the the room. I can hear the “nopes” from around the world right now.
We Made it
We loved ride the train. I like being able to walk around and stretch my legs. It did take a little longer than what would have been a 3 hour flight. The ride was 12 hours. However, we did not have to arrive 2 hours early, go through security, remove all of my toiletries, or face a good possibility of delay. The PIA factor in flying that makes the long train ride worth it for me. I get so stressed out when I fly. How long will security take, will the alarm go off and I have to get wanded and patted or worse, taken to the side? Will I leave something in the plastic bin? Do my socks have holes in them? We also did not have to find a way from the airport to the hotel. The hotel was 2 blocks from Penn station, so walking was quick and easy.
Stay tuned for the next entry about NYC
and the show!
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It’s no secret that I love all things train. I am especially enamored with steam trains. A nostalgia for something I never experienced seems odd to me. I am sure that back in the day train travel was not easy, clean, or efficient. Now, everything is modernized and the steam for most is no longer coal but oil, cutting down on cinders. I have ridden a modern Amtrak train and the ride was comfortable and fun. I will definitely  do it again. But the sound of the steam whistle makes my heart sing.  To purchase any of these, click here.
The train is right on time
The steam train rolling across the trestle.
Main Street Station in Richmond, VA at dusk
Railroad tracks through Ashland, VA
The train station and visitor’s center in Ashland, VA.
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