'I've been workin' on the railroad...'

   In that I live on property, that abuts the railway, with an 'official' access for Amtrak employees/workers straight out my back door, I am, frequently, made aware of activity on the tracks. The trains pass by, at regular intervals, each and every day. Of course, I notice them; yet, they've become such a normal part of my environment, I barely 'hear' them. The fact that I live atop the tracks has never posed problematic to me. I have, always, been fascinated by trains, as they invoke a sense of romanticism in my soul. When I was a child, I lived within walking distance of the railway. Friends and I would trek out to the local railroad bridge, and await the passing-by of any train we might be lucky enough to espy; often these came by way of freight-trains, with cars, seemingly endless, as we counted each, one by one; often in excess of 50! Today, there are relatively, few, freight, trains, and those that I might catch a glimpse of are nowhere near the length as those from my childhood. Instead, there are the 'high-speed' trains...the Acelas, which run on electric-current, and blast past my home, at speeds in excess of 100 MPH, as I live along the longest straightaway in the state. The 'electrification' of the tracks occurred, since my living here. Prior to it's inception, an approaching train was quite distinguishable, as it roared and rumbled down the tracks. Today's trains are a completely different animal; they are barely audible, as they stealthily soar along the line. This was a tad unnerving, til I grew accustom. Still, there is something about the railroad that sates my soul. Once in awhile, I imagine trekking across this beauteous country of ours, via the rail. I've taken short jaunts, to date,...Wickford to Boston...Kingston to New York; but, my 'bucket-list' includes a cross-country venture. One day...Til then, with each passing train that speeds past, I take a journey in my mind; back in time, or, into the future...depends on the day. 'Can't you hear the whistle blowing, rise up so early in the morn? Can't you hear the captain shouting, 'Dinah, blow your horn!'