To Shiny Rails

Look what I re-discovered in my stash of railroad stuff – a souvenir from a November 8, 1953 inspection tour of the Holyoke and Westfield Railroad (Massachusetts). The cigar manufacturer, 7-20-4 Cigars, still exists and has quite a story. They opened in 1874 and closed in 1963 due to the embargo on Cuban tobacco, which they used exclusively. Kurt Kendall revived the name in 2006, which is why their bands now have Kendall on them instead of RG Sullivan’s.

These could be pre-embargo, Cuban tobacco cigars! I must say, though, they look to be in better shape than I’d imagine, and that band is awfully shiny for having been made in 1953. I can dream. I can also smoke it and decide for myself…

Update 4/3/19.

On November 30, 2018, the 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, passed away at the age of 94. Among the many ceremonies and events accompanying the memorials for President Bush will be the train carrying his body to its final resting place at College Station, TX. The train will be lead by Union Pacific’s No. 4141, a locomotive honoring President Bush painted in the colors of the Air Force One he used. As far as we know, this is the only locomotive on the rails that was ever driven by its namesake and a former U.S. President (for about 2 miles during its unveiling ceremony on October 18, 2005 near the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the Texas A&M University campus). Here are some photos of 4141 when it came through San Luis Obispo in September of 2008 as part of a freight power consist. A few of these photos also show what the freight house and display track looked like at the time.

https://slorrm.com/181130-UPRR-4141.html

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While in Kansas City over Thanksgiving, we had to make a stop at Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant for lunch. Not only is it railroad themed, the food is delivered to your table by train!

The whole fam damily happened to be in Santa Cruz this weekend for a family reunion, and we just could not pass up an opportunity to ride The Giant Dipper.

Rob and I ventured to San Diego for a shortline meeting and we got to stay on the Tioga Pass the entire time and ride it back to L.A. from San Diego. All the pics: http://JF2.com/150803/

How could I resist mentioning this?… Trains AND chocolate! Click here for an article and more pics.