Envisioning a Rail Culture for the U.S.
(Source: Unsplash/Caleb Fisher.)
One of my favorite hobbies is model railroading. I grew up with a 4-by-8 HO scale layout in my basement that included a Plaster of Paris mountain with numerous tunnels. The table was dismantled sometime after I went to college to make room for other stuff, but the passion for rails never left my blood.
About 10 years ago, I stumbled across a vintage Lionel O Scale train set in a thrift store, and my passion was reignited to near fanatic level. For those of you that are not initiated into the tiny world of model trains, O Scale was one of the first widely used electric model train scales. These hefty train engines take two hands to hold and the vintage trains rumble and grind as they circle their three rail tracks. HO or Half O Scale, is far more popular because it is half as large, so you can have double the molding fun. Moving to O Scale provided me with the excuse to have a much larger layout.
I, like many model railroaders, make pilgrimages to rail museums and iconic rail corridors to become inspired for the development of our modeled, scaled-down world. This then leads to the next step where you have to actually ride the train, so you can experience trains firsthand. I like to seek out these excursions and historic rail experiences, where I collect railroad pins for my conductor hat. Of course, I use my boys, who are always up for an adventure, as the justification for all of this.
This week, I experienced another railroad. MARC train connects my small West Virginia community to the nation’s capital and crown jewel of rail stations: Union Station.
I have lived in Charles Town for over seven years now, and despite my fascination with trains running around in my basement, this was my first time riding the local rails. I have been using access to the car or the fact that I am traveling with my whole family to craft every excuse for why not to enjoy the rails. What a mistake on my part.
MARC Train’s commuter rail service connects Martinsburg, West Virginia, directly to the capital Monday through Friday. Unlike car commuters, rail commuters share a bond and become friends. Every new regular that hopped on was greeted with a familiar hello.
The ride provided me with an hour to catch up on work and collect my thoughts for the day. My commute thus actually added to my productivity for the day. Somewhere in Maryland, the train was greeted by the rising sun. None of this is possible in my car, where the same commute would rob me of time and inject me with the stress of navigating through traffic.
Trains in the United States, like a car trip, can be a little unpredictable. My train was delayed due to traffic at Union Station. Based on the non-reaction of the passengers, this seemed to be normal. I took this not as wasted time but as an opportunity to get a little more undistracted work completed.
My trip was rewarded with the opportunity to experience one of the great American architectural gems: Union Station. This grand entrance into the nation’s capital has welcomed millions of travelers. As you emerge from the platforms, the white marble and plaster come into view. Every inch of the station is thoughtfully adorned with classical architectural features and statues. The cavernous space lifts the spirit and feeds the soul, similar to listening to a great piece of music or experiencing high art.
The journey ends when you walk out the front doors of the station and see a breathtaking view of the city. The large, arched ceiling opens to the bright blue sky. Directly in front of you is the glowing dome of the United States Capitol.
This grand arrival is a far cry from the tiny trains circling around a table in my basement. I have memories and ideas for new structures to model. This experience invigorates my thinking about what it means to create a grand destination that enhances a sense of place.
Conventional wisdom holds that, unlike countries in Europe or Asia, America does not have a rail culture—we are a car country that doesn’t know how to do rail. Anyone who has seen Union Station knows that we do, in fact, have a history and knowledge as to how to build grand transportation of the sort that once connected a nation. A system that is not only productive but inspires beautiful and breathtaking architecture. A system that we seek to experience because we end our trip with a greater appreciation for our destination.
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