The Iron Horse - What A Ride
Many years ago, before many of you were born, it was great sport and transportation for us to ''jump'' the ore trains. A common practice in the area that I lived in.
My two brothers and I would spend the best part of summer ''jumping'' ore trains to points unknown to us. Generally not far, since our world was about 5 miles in any direction.
It was July in the early 1950's when the three of us set off on our great adventure. Having had years of experience jumping ore trains, the day started out as any other. It would be a fun day riding around the countryside and being home by supper. It was not to be.
We started out walking from our house to the local ''Roundhouse'', an area where trains switched and we could jump one as it was just starting out. After a walk of three miles we had it in sight,we waiting by the railroad tracks for the first train to come by.
Here she came, huffing and puffing as she gained power, smoke blowing from her stacks. It was a ''Great Northern Railroad engine, the one with the mountain goat for an emblem. As she came closer and closer to us the huge ''cow catcher'' pushing out front of her, she was bellowing, smoke pouring from her stacks and we could hear the clackity clack from running over the rails. The ground was shaking the huge steel wheels turning faster and faster.She was big, powerful and scary.
We were excited and scared at the same time, this monster of a train was heading right at us. As she passed the noise was tremendous and the birds were leaving the trees. Huge steel wheels went by our heads and we looked up and could see the Engineer leaning out the side, looking ahead and the ''fireman'' was shoveling coal into her. She was beautiful and frighting at the same time, she was the most powerful thing on earth.
As she roared by us, the ore cars tagging along behind this beauty. One hundred cars long, the red ore piled high in each, as she gained power, she ate up the tracks.
Now was the time. We jumped to our feet and started running along side of her, reaching to grab a ladder to swing ourselves up on, a slip meant death. Our hearts were pounding, our lungs felt like they were going to burst. Finally I reached up and grabbed a post and swung myself up on the ladder. Reaching back I helped my brothers up.
Now we were King of the Rails.She was our Iron Horse, one that would make us free. Shewas hurling down the tracks, gaining speed with ever turn of her mighty steel wheels. The birch trees on each side on the tracks were becoming a blur and she roared down the tracks.
Still gaining speed, her whistle blowing out a warning to all. ''Do not challenge me''.
We were holding on for dear life as she roared through a railroad crossing, the cars looking like tiny toys next to her. The people in the cars were waving to us and we waved back.
Freedom was ours on the back of this powerful being, we knew that she was alive, we had become part of her, our fear leaving us as we screamed in joy, we are the King of the world, riding the Great Iron Horse.
Soon we were on the outskirts of a town about ten miles from our start. She was not slowing down, she was gaining speed. Her giant wheels taking bites out of the track, smoke from her stacks,thick and black, her whistle screaming at the heavens. We were riding the most powerful being in the universe.
We looked at each other, the same thought ran through our minds, we were headed to the ore docks on Lake Superior over a hundred miles away. She wasn't going to stop, this was a one-way ride for us.
Hours later we could see the ore docks, we had to get off or risk being killed when they dumped the cars. As she slowed down we jumped, hit the ground with a thud and rolled and rolled. Looking at each other not knowing if we were dead or alive.
Soon we realized that we were in a world that we had never seen before. 120 miles from home in the port city of Duluth. The only way home was to ''jump'' another train and hope that it was headed in the right direction.
That night we waited for a ''Great Northern'' engine to come our way. We waited and waited, soon the sun was coming up and a whole night had passed.
Here she came. The Great Iron Horse,huffing and puffing gaining speed for her trip back to the ore mines. We ran along side her and jumped aboard. The ride back was mixed with excitement and knowing that we were in big trouble.
Hours later we were coming up on the ''Round House'', as she slowed down we jumped again, landing with a resounding thud, we were still in one piece.
Now the long walk home and what awaited us there. We had been gone for over 24 hours and our parents must be out of their minds with worry.
We were right, the ass tanning that we got must have set an all time record. After the tanning we were sentenced to life without parole. We would behoeing potato's, plowing furrows, splitting wood,and every other job our dad could think of. When we were done with that, mum would have many other chores for us.
For 24 hours we were free, riding the rails, the power of the engine was our life blood. The Great Iron Horse carried us to places we had never seen.
It was worth it.
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A hell of a ride.
I never had the opportunity to jump a train. I am certain, knowing me, that I would have tried. Now, that darn son of mine, would get on trains and went all the way to Washington DC when he was a kid - without permission from mom and dad. Little brat, he was. He didn't have the money, so I am not sure how he did it. Hmmmm.......I need to ask.
I would have loved to go on train jumping adventures with you. Sounds like my kind of young man fun. Now, if my grandson did that........I'd.......I'd........well, I guess I couldn't get too mad at him for doing what I would have done given the chance.
It's a wonder you and I lived to tell the tales we have told (and some I will never tell on here out loud).
A hell of a story too ! Quite the exciting tale ...
I like you brother Grump, my kinda kid.
Oh, your right, have to know that the ''Creator'' looks over dumb kids.
Like you, there are some that I can't tell here or out loud.
Thanks Petey, happy that you enjoyed it. I know that we did as kids.
Riding the ''Great Iron Horse'', was the adventure of a lifetime.
It was a high price that we paid, but it was worth it RW...
Yup, I think that I've had more than my share of life-time adventures.
Shame on you if you didn't have your fair share of adventures. I'm still trying to have adventures. Slower, perhaps, but adventures nonetheless. Hopa is the one with adventures, I figure.
You know me Grump, also up for an adventure.
you should write a book my friend
Thanks palma.
What if the book became a ''Best Seller'', than I'd have lot's of money, agents, new found friends. On and on, my life would become way too complicated. Well maybe, I made that up you know.
Not the story, but the result of being a Best Selling author...
Red will keep you on track.
I am pretty sure of that
Had to remind me of that, didn't you palma.
we women stick together
''we women stick together''...So I've noticed.
An awesome adventure, my friend. I could see it through your eyes while reading your story. I hope you decide to write a book-these stories should be recorded for all to enjoy!
Thanks Spike, we did have some great adventures as kids. Amazing how we lived through some of them.
That is true RW. Even today, when I think about it my ass still stings...LOL
LOL, no it doesn't.
What do they say? 'God takes special care of the young and the stupid'? Sometimes the two are indistinguishable.
And yet, we lived through so many adventures as kids.....
Yes, many times the two are indistinguishable Spike..
LMAO RW.
I use to jump the train and ride it to school as it was just leaving the station and they tried to catch me. Came close when I jumped on the caboose jumping on ladders of box cars at the slow speed gave me a long train I'd jump on somewhere in the middle could see anyone waiting to catch me. Must have been somewhere between5 and 7 years old. Only 3 blocks to school so train coud not gain any speed. Got off at a different location each time sneaky I was. Read a lot of adventure stories lucky I wasn't caught or hurt. I hadn't thought of it for 30 or more years Thanks.
Good story Retired,
Happy that the story brought back some good memories.