Tag Archives: Trains

Why A Duck (Redux)

Posted on August 10, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

This amazing book sculpture was created by Thomas Wightman for Visit Scotland. The work celebrates a childhood train journey over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct bridge. It may look familiar, if you’ve ever seen a Harry Potter film. all images ©Thomas Wightman

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Clearance, or why did I save these in the first place

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Art, Asia | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

“It takes a train to cry”

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

  Although I reside in the Philadelphia metro area, I frequently use the New Jersey Transit system to travel to New York City. When it works smoothly, the trip is quick, convenient and relatively inexpensive compared to Amtrak. However, NJTransit … Continue reading →

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A Little London

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

So, I know nothing about the Grime music scene in the UK, but I do know a bit about London and its trains. I love this video and catchy song which puts rappers Jme and 8syn into tiny London in this short … Continue reading →

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“It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry”

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

As you may have noticed, my latest travel obsession revolves around all things Japan. I have never been, but I’m looking forward to a three week visit this Spring. Between travel video warnings and admonitions about tourist etiquette from Japanese … Continue reading →

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Train Songs

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

What would Pachebel’s Canon sound like if played by a series of cacophonous train horns? To find out, watch this video by Pavel Jirásek, who edited short bits from ACETrainsUK’s horn 7m50s compilation of trains in the United Kingdom with other clips of train horns to … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Music, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Railway Parable

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Erich Kästner, Das Eisenbahngleichnis, 1931  

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Take the Train

Posted on September 2, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The New 20th Century Limited, 1939. Leslie Ragan (1897-1972). In the 1930s, technology began to reflect the sleek, aerodynamic lines of the Art Deco movement, and the New 20th Century Limited, designed by Henry Dreyfuss, was the pride of the … Continue reading →

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Saturday Sundries

Posted on April 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I won’t be spending my summer this year riding the rails in Europe, but I can still torture myself by reading articles about luxury trains and gourmet food. You can too, if you check out this excellent piece from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, apps, Europe, History, Maps, Museums, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Not That Orient Express

Posted on January 21, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I am not a cruiseship kind of traveler, but I might make an exception for the sleek new vessel from the Orient Express train people. The new cruiseship, Silenseas, is a luxury ship modeled after historic 19th century vessels. Renowned for … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Public Transport, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments