Campaign Train

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Keeping politics out of this, but I'm curious when the last time we had a presidential campaign rail tour? I remember Bush Sr. but can't think of any before Biden's current trek.

I think it's a great idea for a campaign during a pandemic. Lots of smaller venue spots and photo ops without the large crowds.

It would be interesting to see how these trains evolved over the years.

[eric220]

I know part of the problem is security. Secret Service does not like securing long train routes due to the nearly continuous opportunities to derail the train.

[nkalanaga]

Bill Clinton had one.  We saw it in Catlettsburg, KY, but I don't remember which campaign, 1992 or 1996.

[Philip H]

Biden rode down to DC on one when he became VP.

[Maletrain]

My wife just read an e-book about Abraham Lincoln between the time he was elected and when he was inaugurated.  It is titled "Lincoln on the Verge - Thirteen days to Washington"

He did a "victory tour" by train in the northern states, but ended-up basically hiding in a compartment on an a different, obscure train between Baltimore and Washington, because of an assassination plot to keep him from taking office.  The Pinkerton Agency was doing security for him in those days.

My wife says the book includes info about rail car interiors, but not much about railroad or train operations in those days.

[CRL]

Everyone forgets that Maryland was a “southern” state, so it was hostile territory to Lincoln.

[davefoxx]

I know part of the problem is security. Secret Service does not like securing long train routes due to the nearly continuous opportunities to derail the train.

In January 2009, when Obama and Biden took the Inauguration Train to D.C., it had a small train running a few minutes ahead to ensure the track was safe:



Then, the Inauguration Train came through (seen here on the Susquehanna River Bridge) with my favorite business car bringing up the rear, the Georgia 300:



DFF

[davefoxx]

Bill Clinton had one.  We saw it in Catlettsburg, KY, but I don't remember which campaign, 1992 or 1996.

I believe that it was called the 21st Century Express, and it was in 1996.

DFF

[Maletrain]

Everyone forgets that Maryland was a “southern” state, so it was hostile territory to Lincoln.

Maryland is more complex than simply being a "southern state".  It probably would have seceded if the Federal Government had not seriously interfered in its government processes, using tactics that today would be called "tyrannical".  That caused a lot of negative reaction, and indeed, the Confederacy used the slogan "Fight Tyranny", not "Support Slavery", to attract soldiers.  But, Maryland residents were very divided.  The county where I now live (east of the Chesapeake Bay) sent soldiers to fight on both sides, more to the Union than to the Confederacy, despite it being mostly slave holding plantations at that time.  Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman came from here.  On the other side of DC,  Barbara Frietchie became famous by waving the U.S. Flag at Confederate troops as they passed through Frederick Maryland.  Farther west, Maryland is more like West Virginia, which seceded from Virginia to remain in the Union.

Although there were some citizens riotously protesting Union troops passing through Baltimore, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad played a major role in logistics for the Union, and suffered greatly for it due to raids by the Confederacy, tearing up track and stealing equipment to take south.  Its mainline practically straddled the Union/Confederate border. 

At one time, I was thinking about modeling Harpers Ferry in the 1860s.  But, I decided not to try that in N scale.  I want to be able to operate, not have a "static display" of 4-4-0s while spending my time on the work bench trying to make them go again.

[davefoxx]

At one time, I was thinking about modeling Harpers Ferry in the 1860s.  But, I decided not to try that in N scale.  I want to be able to operate, not have a "static display" of 4-4-0s while spending my time on the work bench trying to make them go again.

Check out what Bernie Kempinski has done in O scale in the Civil War era.  That's how to get it done with operating 4-4-0s.

https://usmrr.blogspot.com

DFF

[Maletrain]

Check out what Bernie Kempinski has done in O scale in the Civil War era.  That's how to get it done with operating 4-4-0s.

https://usmrr.blogspot.com

DFF

Yes Kempinski's stuff is fantastic.  I want to go see it some time when COVID is done.  I have seen his slide presentation and website.  But, he is modeling the other side and end of the Potomac - much flatter.  Not sure I could get that big rock with the tunnel that is across the river from Harpers Ferry into my train room in O scale! 

[davefoxx]

Yes Kempinski's stuff is fantastic.  I want to go see it some time when COVID is done.  I have seen his slide presentation and website.  But, he is modeling the other side and end of the Potomac - much flatter.  Not sure I could get that big rock with the tunnel that is across the river from Harpers Ferry into my train room in O scale!

Haha!  I hear you!  When I plop my On30 ET&WNC 4-6-0 onto my HO scale layout, reality sets in.

DFF

[nkalanaga]

DaveFoxx:  Thank you!  I remember the train, but not much else.  He spoke in Ashland on that visit, but we didn't go to that.  Nothing political, neither Mom nor I like crowds, and they were expecting a big one!

There was a nice crowd just to watch his train go through, but there was also plenty of room for everyone to spread out - several miles of highway shoulders.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Check out what Bernie Kempinski has done in O scale in the Civil War era.  That's how to get it done with operating 4-4-0s.

https://usmrr.blogspot.com

DFF

Operating @AlkemScaleModels layout is an experience like none other. There's nothing like switching cars with link and pin couplers through stub switches.

[AlkemScaleModels]

Ed,
Glad you like it. I am expanding the O Scale RR. I hope to be back running by the summer. I may even have a new, scratch built loco in the fleet.

Bernie
www.usmrr.blogspot.com