We went to the Illinois Train Museum in a small town west of Chicago. John almost drooled. It had more trains than any other museum he has been to. We started with a ride on an interurban car from the North Shore Line.
When the motorman invited people to ride in front, John was right there. Doesn’t he have a satisfied look on his face as he came back toward me?
When the ride was over, John was the only one who accepted the invitation to sit in the motorman’s seat.
John said it was a good thing his sister Barbara and Thom were meeting us on the way to Minnesota, otherwise we might still be at the train museum. We looked at many engines and interurban cars, and John had a comment on almost every one. If I could remember half the things he says, I’d be an expert.
When Barbara and Thom met us in that town, we had lunch at a German pub. We managed to eat and begin catching up with news at the same time.
Mehrling Muse 
It looks like you guys had an amazing day!
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Our day was delightful. We’ll be with family for the next few days, and that should be glorious.
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Oh enjoy every moment!
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What a social whirl and you travel in style thanks to your own train driver.
Massive Hugs
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This has been a fun trip.
xxx Whirling Hugs xxx
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That museum looks like fun. Cool idea to stop there.
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John wouldn’t mind a whole day at the Illinois Train Museum. Hope you see it if it’s something you would enjoy.
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John can find a train museum anywhere!
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If John were a magician, he’d conjure up a train museum.
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My goodness! I don’t believe I’ve seen so many images at one time of John with a big smile like that. I love trains too, and grew up next to a BN line that hauls coal (it’s much busier now) from Gillette WY to the east. That photo of John at the “helm” is my favorite! I am surprised you didn’t have to peel his hands off the controls!!! Ha ha!!
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I’m glad you love trains. Yes, John’s smile was big and sincere. He’s slightly allergic to cameras at other times.
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That grin on his face is so awesome. And it was great seeing the relatives. Love to all!
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We’ve said goodbye to your mom and BE. They have A VERY early flight tomorrow.
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Hi Anne
I can understand John’s look of pure bliss in the train and the smile of satisfaction at the motorman’s seat. Are you on a second trip around US now?
Susie
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This is a shorter trip — just a week. We’ll start home tomorrow. I hope to catch up with email by the end of the week. Hope you have a good trip back here.
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John must have thought he’d gone to heaven!
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He was having a good time.
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What a lovely day for you Anne 🙂
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Trains are enjoyable and rich in history as well. Hope you are safe from the latest hurricane threat. Never a dull moment in paradise.
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We are not likely to be affected by the hurricane, but John’s sister and her daughter are flying to Charleston in the morning.
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We will only get rain from the event. Charleston will get something though. Our Tallahassee family should be safe too. Just rain. Mother Nature and her fury.
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John’s sister and her daughter made it back to Charleston. They plan to have things ready to evacuate if necessary, and they’ll prepare to stay if possible.
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Looks as if they may miss this event. Some wind and rain. Best to you and yours.
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Thank you. We should be home before dark tomorrow.
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There’s no place like home! “”__””
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John does look like he could have stayed there a lot longer! What fun to do something you so enjoy.
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I have loved trains my entire life and still prefer them to any other mode of transportation. I am with your husband on that.
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I’ve enjoyed the train rides we’ve had, and the gift shops are always fun. It is great to watch John enjoy trains.
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Did he have an electric set as a kid(or as an adult!)
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John had trains as a child, as an adult, and I expect into dementia. He has worked with most gauges — Z, N, HO, O, Gauge 1 (LGB or garden size). He belongs to a train club for trains adults can ride on. An engine could weigh as much as a ton, so they jokingly call that hernia gauge.
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I love it!
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There still is a special magic to train travel. We use the Amtrak regularly to visit our daughter in Rhode Island. I’m still trying to perfect my technique of walking through the aisles while the train is is motion. Doing it as we round a curve is still a big challenge.
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That’s great that you still ride trains. Walking in the aisle while bouncing around is not easy. For 30 years, John commuted to Manhattan from Long Island, so I’m sure he did his share of aisle-walking.
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John looks ecstatic in that one picture, just like a kid in a candy shop. You’re probably right that if you had no meet-up, you’d still be there. 🙂
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