Did anyone else get a little nostalgic even though you weren’t born during the 50’s?

It's a real shame that the U.S. no longer has this quality of rail passenger service. Trains use much less energy per passenger mile than airplanes. They are also a far more comfortable way to travel, with more room in the seating, and one has the ability to get up and walk around, to go to the dining car or cafe car for a snack. I wish that Amtrack would expand its services to once again be what passenger rail was in the 1950s. I am old enough to remember traveling on trains back in those days. I remember them fondly. I have also traveled on trains more recently. I still enjoy train travel much more than flying.

a time where people were passionate about their Jobs and when life was simple

Love these old locomotives, my father used to work the railroad. Freight & Amtrak, I miss those old days and dad. R.I.P dad. ( Southern Pacific).

THe 30's-the 50's were truly the golden age of travel in the US

In the late 50's, my mother, sister, and I, traveled from Washington State to New York via train.  It didn't take long to adjust to the movement of the train, and the trip was wonderful.  I remember we had a "bedroom", and the dining car with its white linen and crystal was magical, as were the views from the Dome (my favorite).  The staff was attentive to us kids, and small toys, coloring books, crayons, were always available.  As for the food, I clearly remember loving two items... the pancakes and the tuna sandwiches... they are still favorites.  Sometimes I feel nostalgic and want to take a train ride, but I don't believe the beauty would be there, so I just browse through my memories.

A simpler, more civilized time that will never come again...

I love American trains of the 50s, smashing little film.

My wife and I recently rode the Amtrak from Wash. D.C. to El Paso, Tx., via Chicago.  The first leg, we had a roomette, sleeper.  From Chicago to EP we had a bedroom with shower and toilet and a separate vanity and wash area.  All sleepers include meals in the dining car and coffee, juice snacks and bottled water during the trip.  A separate attendant in each car prepares the beds each evening and morning.  It was like traveling in your hotel, going 80 - 90 mph.  No worries, no regrets

How in the World did that poor boy survive such a long trip, without a gameboy, TV, laptop, cell phone, MP3 player, or even a radio. We where totally abused as children. I remember having none of these things growing up. It may sound nuts, but we did things like, read books, draw, write stories, and played with our friends in person. When not on a train, we would ride our bikes, build hide outs, fish, play with our dog, work in the garden and do chores around the house. We had it good.

Wow! What an amazing train... to my English ears there's no sound on Earth can match that of an American train horn blowing loud & long - just makes you want to get on board & go!

The word "California" used to have a magic ring to it, now it's infamous.

The good old days. The days when railroading was at its best. The days when people were caring and before the country went to shit. Wish we could go back to a time like this.

I still dream of taking a train trip on a vintage train like this, even today, as a full grown kid...

My name was Bobby too.   This reminds me of the trip from LA to Chicago in 1954 on the 'El Capitan'.  Sure wish I could remember more from age 7.  Notice that people actually dressed...

Videos like this one are GOLD.

Bob is in his 70's now, if he's still around.

ya know what's hilarious? The Lamy station still looks EXACTLY like that and hasn't changed. :)

Bobby in the 1950's:  Gee I'm going to ride on a passenger train!
Bobby in 2020:  What's a passenger train?

i have always loved train travel. This video is before my time. Yet what amazes me is how well people dressed when they traveled years ago.