Get in touch with Casey Jones and Jackson’s railroad past

JACKSON, Tenn. – When Casey Jones’ locomotive crashed near Vaughn, Miss., he vaulted into history and American folklore.

The subject of songs and books, Jones, who died on April 30, 1900, has become a larger than life figure in American history in the 11 decades since his death.

But, finding the real Casey Jones is as simple as driving to Jackson, Tenn., where visitors can see the humble home where Jones lived at the time of his death.

Born John Luther Jones on March 14, 1863, in Southeast Missouri, he grew up in Cayce, Ky., the town that provided him with his nickname. When he was 15-years-old, Jones became an apprentice telegraph operator on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, and in March 1888, he took a job with the Illinois Central Railroad, pulling mostly freight trains for his first 11 years.

In 1899, Jones was offered a position as an engineer on the railroad’s Cannonball passenger train, connecting Chicago and New Orleans. He accepted the position and started engineering on the run in February 1900. In the early morning hours of April 30, 1900, Jones, filling in for a sick engineer, sat behind the throttle of engine No. 382, pulling train No. 1, also known as the New Orleans Special.

Jones’ train pulled out of the Memphis train station at 12:50 a.m., about 90 minutes behind schedule. By the time Jones reached Durant, Miss., he had made up almost all of the train’s lost time.

Jones’ train was traveling as fast as 75 mph when it approached a stopped train at a siding near Vaughn, Miss. Jones’ locomotive hit a torpedo – a warning flare placed on the track to alert the engineer of the situation ahead. But, it was too late. Jones told his fireman, Sim Webb, to jump from the train, saving his life. Jones threw the train in reverse, hoping to stop before a collision.

Though his train crashed, Jones saved the lives of countless passengers.

Today, his house is a museum. Although it has been moved from its original location, it is open to the public and features a wide array of exhibits, including railroad memorabilia and Jones’ personal effects.

A life-sized replica of Illinois Central engine No. 382 – the locomotive Jones was engineering on his last trip – sits behind Jones’ house. The actual locomotive was repaired after the wreck and ran for 35 years before being scrapped.

The museum’s replica formerly ran on the Clinchfield Railroad as engine No. 99. The locomotive was restored and moved to the museum.

Beyond Jones, Jackson’s railroad past is deep and rich. Railroads came to Jackson in the latter half of the 1850s, and within a few years of their arrival, the city would become a regional railroad hub. Judge Milton Brown is often attributed with helping draw the railroad to Madison County and Jackson.

During its heyday, several railroads served Jackson, including the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis, Illinois Central and the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio railroads. Today three railroads – Norfolk Southern, CSX and the West Tennessee Railroad – still serve the western Tennessee city of Jackson.

Federal troops, acknowledging the Jackson’s importance as a railroad hub, occupied the city for much of the Civil War. A train depot serves as a reminder of the city’s railroading past. Built in 1907, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad depot was restored in the 1990s and is today a museum dedicated to the city’s rail history.

Gracing the museum’s grounds include three rail cars – a pair of cabooses and an Amtrak dining car. Inside the depot is a model railroad exhibit, built and maintained by the Jackson Model Railroad Club. The depot also houses a vast collection of railroad-related relics with photographs and artifacts.

Get in touch with Casey Jones and Jackson’s railroad past

JACKSON, Tenn. – When Casey Jones’ locomotive crashed near Vaughn, Miss., he vaulted into history and American folklore.

The subject of songs and books, Jones, who died on April 30, 1900, has become a larger than life figure in American history in the 11 decades since his death.

But, finding the real Casey Jones is as simple as driving to Jackson, Tenn., where visitors can see the humble home where Jones lived at the time of his death.

Born John Luther Jones on March 14, 1863, in Southeast Missouri, he grew up in Cayce, Ky., the town that provided him with his nickname. When he was 15-years-old, Jones became an apprentice telegraph operator on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, and in March 1888, he took a job with the Illinois Central Railroad, pulling mostly freight trains for his first 11 years.

In 1899, Jones was offered a position as an engineer on the railroad’s Cannonball passenger train, connecting Chicago and New Orleans. He accepted the position and started engineering on the run in February 1900. In the early morning hours of April 30, 1900, Jones, filling in for a sick engineer, sat behind the throttle of engine No. 382, pulling train No. 1, also known as the New Orleans Special.

Jones’ train pulled out of the Memphis train station at 12:50 a.m., about 90 minutes behind schedule. By the time Jones reached Durant, Miss., he had made up almost all of the train’s lost time.

Jones’ train was traveling as fast as 75 mph when it approached a stopped train at a siding near Vaughn, Miss. Jones’ locomotive hit a torpedo – a warning flare placed on the track to alert the engineer of the situation ahead. But, it was too late. Jones told his fireman, Sim Webb, to jump from the train, saving his life. Jones threw the train in reverse, hoping to stop before a collision.

Though his train crashed, Jones saved the lives of countless passengers.

Today, his house is a museum. Although it has been moved from its original location, it is open to the public and features a wide array of exhibits, including railroad memorabilia and Jones’ personal effects.

A life-sized replica of Illinois Central engine No. 382 – the locomotive Jones was engineering on his last trip – sits behind Jones’ house. The actual locomotive was repaired after the wreck and ran for 35 years before being scrapped.

The museum’s replica formerly ran on the Clinchfield Railroad as engine No. 99. The locomotive was restored and moved to the museum.

Beyond Jones, Jackson’s railroad past is deep and rich. Railroads came to Jackson in the latter half of the 1850s, and within a few years of their arrival, the city would become a regional railroad hub. Judge Milton Brown is often attributed with helping draw the railroad to Madison County and Jackson.

During its heyday, several railroads served Jackson, including the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis, Illinois Central and the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio railroads. Today three railroads – Norfolk Southern, CSX and the West Tennessee Railroad – still serve the western Tennessee city of Jackson.

Federal troops, acknowledging the Jackson’s importance as a railroad hub, occupied the city for much of the Civil War. A train depot serves as a reminder of the city’s railroading past. Built in 1907, the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad depot was restored in the 1990s and is today a museum dedicated to the city’s rail history.

Gracing the museum’s grounds include three rail cars – a pair of cabooses and an Amtrak dining car. Inside the depot is a model railroad exhibit, built and maintained by the Jackson Model Railroad Club. The depot also houses a vast collection of railroad-related relics with photographs and artifacts.

Japan’s railroad history doesn’t begin with the Shinkansen

By Todd DeFeo

SAITAMA, Japan – The Shinkansen glides swiftly along the rails that crisscross Japan. The high-speed bullet trains that whisk travelers from one side of Japan to the other are an icon of the country and a model for high-speed rail.

While these trains are the symbol of the country today, they are just the latest chapter in Japan’s long railroad history, which that dates to Oct. 14, 1872, when the country’s first railroad opened, connecting Shimbashi (Tokyo) and Yokohama. Nine years later, the country’s first private railroad, Nippon Railway, was created, and the railroad revolution in Japan was well under way.

The Railway Museum offers a cross-section of the trains that have operated throughout Japan over the last 130-plus years – from the earliest steam trains that helped revolutionize the nation to the commuter trains that help keep cities moving to the Shinkansen that took rail travel to the next level. As the country grew and modernized, so too did the railroads.

The museum is home to about three dozen pieces of rolling stock, including the early steam engines that once pulled the trains across the country. The earliest of the locomotives on display is a British-built Class 150 – the first locomotive used on the Shimbashi-Yokohama line.

At the center of the museum’s main showroom is a C57 locomotive. Built in 1940, this is the last steam locomotive in Japan used to pull passengers. In 1975, when the engine was last used, the steamer operated between Iwamizawa and Muroran on the Muroran Main Line.

Perhaps, the most interesting piece in the museum is locomotive No. 1, a British built class 150 steamer and the first engine to operate in Japan, running over the Shimbashi-Yokohama line.

Of course, the story of Japan’s rail network would not be complete without the modern Shinkansen. The museum features a Series 0 Shinkansen built in 1964. The last of this first generation model operated in 2008, having been replaced by more modern successors.

The Railway Museum traces its origins to October 1921 and is operated by the East Japan Railway Culture Foundation. In addition to the static displays, the museum also offers a number of educational exhibits about the operation of railroads. There are also train simulators that allow guests to sit behind the throttle, while an outdoor miniature train whisks willing guests around the grounds of the museum.

Saitama is located about 15 miles north of Tokyo and is easily accessible by – what else – rail.

Japan’s railroad history doesn’t begin with the Shinkansen

SAITAMA, Japan – The Shinkansen glides swiftly along the rails that crisscross Japan. The high-speed bullet trains that whisk travelers from one side of Japan to the other are an icon of the country and a model for high-speed rail.

While these trains are the symbol of the country today, they are just the latest chapter in Japan’s long railroad history, which that dates to Oct. 14, 1872, when the country’s first railroad opened, connecting Shimbashi (Tokyo) and Yokohama. Nine years later, the country’s first private railroad, Nippon Railway, was created, and the railroad revolution in Japan was well under way.

The Railway Museum offers a cross-section of the trains that have operated throughout Japan over the last 130-plus years – from the earliest steam trains that helped revolutionize the nation to the commuter trains that help keep cities moving to the Shinkansen that took rail travel to the next level. As the country grew and modernized, so too did the railroads.

The museum is home to about three dozen pieces of rolling stock, including the early steam engines that once pulled the trains across the country. The earliest of the locomotives on display is a British-built Class 150 – the first locomotive used on the Shimbashi-Yokohama line.

At the center of the museum’s main showroom is a C57 locomotive. Built in 1940, this is the last steam locomotive in Japan used to pull passengers. In 1975, when the engine was last used, the steamer operated between Iwamizawa and Muroran on the Muroran Main Line.

Perhaps, the most interesting piece in the museum is locomotive No. 1, a British built class 150 steamer and the first engine to operate in Japan, running over the Shimbashi-Yokohama line.

Of course, the story of Japan’s rail network would not be complete without the modern Shinkansen. The museum features a Series 0 Shinkansen built in 1964. The last of this first generation model operated in 2008, having been replaced by more modern successors.

The Railway Museum traces its origins to October 1921 and is operated by the East Japan Railway Culture Foundation. In addition to the static displays, the museum also offers a number of educational exhibits about the operation of railroads. There are also train simulators that allow guests to sit behind the throttle, while an outdoor miniature train whisks willing guests around the grounds of the museum.

Saitama is located about 15 miles north of Tokyo and is easily accessible by – what else – rail.

Kennesaw Mountain: From battlefield to national park

By Todd DeFeo

KENNESAW, Ga. – On a pleasant Sunday afternoon, it’s hard to imagine the chaos and utter hell that occurred here nearly a century and a half ago. The trails up the side of Kennesaw Mountain are steep, but relatively quiet, the silence broken by passing hikers or their dogs or the occasional whistle of an approaching freight train.

Turn back the clock 145 years, and the setting would have been very different.

By June 1864, the Civil War had raged on for three years, and Union Gen. William T. Sherman was marching through Georgia. His path through North Georgia was comprised of a series of flanking moves, which his opponent, Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, responded to by retreating.

Sherman approached Kennesaw Mountain to find Johnson’s 63,000 troops entrenched. In addition to his 100,000 men, Sherman had 254 guns and 35,000 horses. Johnston only had 63,000 men and 187 guns.

While Sherman tried to pass to the south, Johnston in turn sent Lt. Gen. John B. Hood to counter. Hood attacked on June 22, 1864, in what is known as the Battle of Kolb’s Farm. By the end of the fighting, 1,000 Confederates were killed to the Union’s 350. While Sherman won the battle, he decided he had to attack the Confederates head on – a decision he made in part because muddy roads slowed his movement.

Five days later, on June 27, 1864, Sherman attacked Johnston head-on, believing that the Confederate general’s line was stretched thin. Union soldiers initially succeeded and overran Confederate positions south of Burnt Hickory Road. But the Confederates entrenched position proved to be too difficult to defeat.

Fighting occurred on and around the mountain from June 19, 1864, until July 2, 1864. On July 1, Sherman began to again flank Johnston, who watching the movements from atop Kennesaw Mountain, opted to retreat once again. When all was said and done, a total of 5,350 soldiers were killed. Though technically a Confederate victory, Johnston ultimately retreated from Kennesaw Mountain to nearby Smyrna, and Sherman made it through to Atlanta and later marched to the sea.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park offers the opportunity to connect with an important time in American history and a free outdoor experience. Located between Marietta and Kennesaw, the 2,923-acre national park offers visitors the chance to learn about an important time in history and also enjoy the great outdoors. The national park features 18 miles of walking trails, some rather steep as they approach the top of the mountain.

The park features three battlefield areas – one located in front of the Visitor Center, another off Burnt Hickory Road and the main site at Cheatham Hill, which during the Civil War was called the Dead Angle. The visitor center is a logical place to start because it provides an abundance of information about what happened during the battle.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park: http://www.nps.gov/kemo/.

Lift off just like those classic Disney characters

Peter Pan. Dumbo. Mary Poppins. They all have one thing in common: flight. That and they’re highlighted on the side of one of Walt Disney World’s newest attractions.

The Characters in Flight hot air balloon lifts guests 400 feet above Downtown Disney West Side, offering a one-of-a-kind view of the World. The balloon accommodates up to 30 guests per six-minute flight.

The balloon’s boarding platform is located on Village Lake, which is at the end of Downtown Disney West Side’s main promenade. Operating hours are 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. Tickets cost $16 for guests who are 10-years-old and up and $10 for guests between 3 and 9 years old.

Reservations are not available.

Take a bite out of Marietta this weekend

MARIETTA, Ga. – The 16th Annual Taste of Marietta is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, on the Historic Marietta Square.

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Touted as Cobb County’s largest food festival, the Taste of Marietta features food from 50 restaurants and caterers and ranges in price from 50 cents to $4.

In addition to the food, there will be four stages with live music. Banks and Shane will help conclude the event with a sunset concert.

For more information, log onto http://www.tasteofmarietta.com/.

WDW Classics: It started with a steam train

By Todd DeFeo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It’s no coincidence that the first attraction to greet guests of the Magic Kingdom is the railroad. After all, trains played such an important role in Walt Disney’s life – even Mickey Mouse was created on a train.

Disney’s first foray into live steam locomotives came about in 1950 – five years before Disneyland opened. In July of that year, Disney completed The Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a 1/8 size live steam train layout he built in his backyard.

When he decided to build Disneyland, Disney, with the help of fellow railfans Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston, created The Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, a 5/8 scale railroad. The line opened with two locomotives; a third was added to the roster in 1958 and a fourth entered service the following year. While the first two locomotives in Disneyland were built at the Walt Disney Studio, the next two steam engines were refurbished historic locomotives.

In the 1960s, Disney decided to build a second theme park outside Orlando, Fla. Sadly, Disney died in 1966, five years before Walt Disney World opened. However, like Disneyland, the new park would also feature steam trains.

When Disney Imagineers started designing the Walt Disney World Railroad, they decided to buy operational steam locomotives to refurbish for use in the park. In 1969, they traveled to Mexico to scout steam trains that could be refurbished and put to use pulling guests around the Magic Kingdom. They purchased five steam trains from the United Railways of Yucatan.

In the end, Imagineers restored four of the five locomotives. By 1971, the tracks were laid and the steam trains were running. In fact, the Walt Disney World Railroad was the first attraction to be completed at the Magic Kingdom.

A total of six locomotives have been associated with the railroad over the years:

• No. 1 – Walter E. Disney, formerly No. 274 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Walter E. Disney is one of two 4-6-0 steam engines that pull passengers around the park. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925.
• No. 2 – Lillie Belle, formerly No. 260 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Lillie Belle is a 2-6-0 steam engine, also known as a Mogul. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1928.
• No. 3 – Roger E. Broggie, formerly No. 275 of the United Railways of Yucatan. Like engine No. 1, the Roger E. Broggie has a 4-6-0 wheel configuration. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925 and was on the shop floor at the same time as it sister locomotive, the Walter E. Disney.
• No. 4 – Roy O. Disney, formerly No. 251 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Roy O. Disney is the only 4-4-0 locomotive, commonly called an American style steam engine. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1916. During the initial refurbishment, a major crack in the Roy O. Disney’s frame had to be repaired.
• No. 5 – Ward Kimball, formerly of the N&S Coal Co. A collector traded the 2-4-4RT locomotive in exchange for a set of the original Disneyland Railroad passenger coaches. While the locomotive was obtained for the Walt Disney World Resort’s 25th anniversary in 1996, it was never placed in service, in part because it wasn’t big enough to pull trains up the 1 percent grade between Tomorrowland and Main Street. The locomotive was displayed for some time in Epcot Center in 1996 and later sat idle in the railroad roundhouse before it was sent to Cedar Point in exchange for a Forney locomotive that became Disneyland Railroad No. 5, also named “Ward Kimball.”
• The final, unnumbered locomotive purchased in 1969 was built by Pittsburg Locomotive Works in 1902. Like the Lillie Belle, it was a 2-6-0 Mogul engine. This steamer was not refurbished for use at the Walt Disney World Resort. The engine was sitting unused in a park in Mexico when Imagineers purchased it for $750. The engine was likely unable to be refurbished to running order and was later sold. Its fate is unknown, though most people believe it was scrapped.

For railfans, the Magic Kingdom offers “Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour” of the railroad. Tours are given at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday.

WDW Classics: It started with a steam train

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – It’s no coincidence that the first attraction to greet guests of the Magic Kingdom is the railroad. After all, trains played such an important role in Walt Disney’s life – even Mickey Mouse was created on a train.

Disney’s first foray into live steam locomotives came about in 1950 – five years before Disneyland opened. In July of that year, Disney completed The Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a 1/8 size live steam train layout he built in his backyard.

When he decided to build Disneyland, Disney, with the help of fellow railfans Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston, created The Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, a 5/8 scale railroad. The line opened with two locomotives; a third was added to the roster in 1958 and a fourth entered service the following year. While the first two locomotives in Disneyland were built at the Walt Disney Studio, the next two steam engines were refurbished historic locomotives.

In the 1960s, Disney decided to build a second theme park outside Orlando, Fla. Sadly, Disney died in 1966, five years before Walt Disney World opened. However, like Disneyland, the new park would also feature steam trains.

When Disney Imagineers started designing the Walt Disney World Railroad, they decided to buy operational steam locomotives to refurbish for use in the park. In 1969, they traveled to Mexico to scout steam trains that could be refurbished and put to use pulling guests around the Magic Kingdom. They purchased five steam trains from the United Railways of Yucatan.

In the end, Imagineers restored four of the five locomotives. By 1971, the tracks were laid and the steam trains were running. In fact, the Walt Disney World Railroad was the first attraction to be completed at the Magic Kingdom.

A total of six locomotives have been associated with the railroad over the years:

• No. 1 – Walter E. Disney, formerly No. 274 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Walter E. Disney is one of two 4-6-0 steam engines that pull passengers around the park. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925.


• No. 2 – Lillie Belle, formerly No. 260 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Lillie Belle is a 2-6-0 steam engine, also known as a Mogul. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1928.


• No. 3 – Roger E. Broggie, formerly No. 275 of the United Railways of Yucatan. Like engine No. 1, the Roger E. Broggie has a 4-6-0 wheel configuration. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925 and was on the shop floor at the same time as it sister locomotive, the Walter E. Disney.


• No. 4 – Roy O. Disney, formerly No. 251 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Roy O. Disney is the only 4-4-0 locomotive, commonly called an American style steam engine. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1916. During the initial refurbishment, a major crack in the Roy O. Disney’s frame had to be repaired.


• No. 5 – Ward Kimball, formerly of the N&S Coal Co. A collector traded the 2-4-4RT locomotive in exchange for a set of the original Disneyland Railroad passenger coaches. While the locomotive was obtained for the Walt Disney World Resort’s 25th anniversary in 1996, it was never placed in service, in part because it wasn’t big enough to pull trains up the 1 percent grade between Tomorrowland and Main Street. The locomotive was displayed for some time in Epcot Center in 1996 and later sat idle in the railroad roundhouse before it was sent to Cedar Point in exchange for a Forney locomotive that became Disneyland Railroad No. 5, also named “Ward Kimball.”


• The final, unnumbered locomotive purchased in 1969 was built by Pittsburg Locomotive Works in 1902. Like the Lillie Belle, it was a 2-6-0 Mogul engine. This steamer was not refurbished for use at the Walt Disney World Resort. The engine was sitting unused in a park in Mexico when Imagineers purchased it for $750. The engine was likely unable to be refurbished to running order and was later sold. Its fate is unknown, though most people believe it was scrapped.

For railfans, the Magic Kingdom offers “Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour” of the railroad. Tours are given at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday.

Titanic: A tourist attraction?

By Todd DeFeo

ATLANTA – I’m not sure how I feel about a traveling Titanic exhibit that showcases items recovered from the great shipwreck lying on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sure, as a student of history, I can’t help but marvel through this window into one of the most intriguing, yet horrifying, episodes in history. When the Titanic sank 97 years ago this week, it took with it individuals and families, not just artifacts.

The Titanic has many stories to tell, but do those who perished with the great ship not deserve the opportunity to lie in peace at the bottom of the ocean?

The Titanic has spent more time lost on the ocean floor than it ever did sailing or serving as an archeological dig for treasure hunters. Sadly, the ship’s greatest legacy may be litigation. A federal judge is expected to soon rule on the fate of artifacts recovered from the wreckage.

Robert Ballard discovered the shipwreck in 1985 and urged that the site be left undisturbed as a memorial to those who died. It only took a few years after Ballard’s discovery of the ship before others started recovering items from around the site.

“Titanic is like a great pyramid which has been found and mankind is about to enter it for the first time since it was sealed. Has he come to plunder or appreciate? The people of the world clearly want the latter,” Ballard told Congress in October 1985, according to The Associated Press.

Titanic: A tourist attraction?

ATLANTA – I’m not sure how I feel about a traveling Titanic exhibit that showcases items recovered from the great shipwreck lying on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sure, as a student of history, I can’t help but marvel through this window into one of the most intriguing, yet horrifying, episodes in history. When the Titanic sank 97 years ago this week, it took with it individuals and families, not just artifacts.

The Titanic has many stories to tell, but do those who perished with the great ship not deserve the opportunity to lie in peace at the bottom of the ocean?

The Titanic has spent more time lost on the ocean floor than it ever did sailing or serving as an archeological dig for treasure hunters. Sadly, the ship’s greatest legacy may be litigation. A federal judge is expected to soon rule on the fate of artifacts recovered from the wreckage.

Robert Ballard discovered the shipwreck in 1985 and urged that the site be left undisturbed as a memorial to those who died. It only took a few years after Ballard’s discovery of the ship before others started recovering items from around the site.

“Titanic is like a great pyramid which has been found and mankind is about to enter it for the first time since it was sealed. Has he come to plunder or appreciate? The people of the world clearly want the latter,” Ballard told Congress in October 1985, according to The Associated Press.

Let’s call this a trip to save the Republic

ATLANTA – Upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 people gathered today at the state capitol to protest high taxes, out of control federal government spending and a number of other issues. The Atlanta “Tea Party” was one of at least 700 such peaceful protests nationwide.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., told the crowd that of the many rallies he’s seen on the capitol steps, none have been this well-attended.

Many in the crowd carried signs protesting everything from recent government spending bills to prominent liberal politicians in Washington. Several times, the overwhelmingly patriotic crowd broke out into chants of “U.S.A.,” and at one point in the rally, the crowd chanted “Keep the change.”

From a demographic standpoint, the crowd was clearly diverse. Many of the rally’s participants support the Fair Tax, which would replace the federal income tax with a sales tax.

Fare thee well: A list of beloved attractions from Walt Disney World’s past

By Todd DeFeo

Sure, Walt Disney said his theme parks would never be finished, and over the years, the parks have seen a number of changes. Most of the updates have been welcomed, but often times, these changes leave Disney fanatics longing for the past.

Though these attractions are no longer with us, they are surely remembered by the thousands of fans who lament their disappearance. These 10 are among the most memorable attractions from yesterday:

• Swan Boats: One of the earliest attractions to close, the loading dock remains as a reminder.
• Journey Into Imagination: Figment. He’s around in a new manifestation, but nothing beats the 1980s incarnation of Epcot Center.
• Penny Arcade/Main Street Cinema: These attractions weren’t great draws like the Magic Kingdom’s E Ticket attractions, but they show just how great Disney’s attention to detail was. These two attractions have since been turned into stores, most likely because neither made any money.
• The Main Street Electrical Parade: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the Magic Kingdom proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nighttime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade.” From the opening notes of “Baroque Hoedown,” the parade’s theme song, to every float that follows, this was a true classic that ran from 1977 to 1991 and from 1999 to 2001, the Main Street Electrical Parade is perhaps the most beloved parade ever to run along the Magic Kingdom’s parade route.
• Tropical Serenade/Enchanted Tiki Room: Though an updated version exists, nothing will replace the original “where the birds sing words and the flowers croon.”
• Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes: The Magic Kingdom attraction, which closed in 1994, traces its origins to Disneyland’s version that opened in 1956. Not a major attraction, but one of the more fun ones that ever hit the park's lineup. Plus, this was a good way to burn off that turkey leg you had for lunch.
• Skyway: Maybe it was the backstage areas that were clearly visible or the dangers that this ride posed that ultimately led to its downfall, but there was no better way to travel between the far reaches of Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.
• World of Motion: No one headed to Walt Disney World just for this attraction – or maybe they did. The World of Motion provided a fun look at the history of transportation before it was replaced with Test Track.
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Allegedly, it cost too much to refurbish this ride in the 1990s, so it sat idle for many years and was later used as a character greeting location. The remnants of the ride that remained for many years have since been removed.
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: Sept. 7, 1998, is a “Day the Music Died” moment for the Magic Kingdom. Despite the objections of thousands of fans from around the world, Disney shuttered the ride and replaced it with a Winnie the Pooh attraction – and a related store. RIP Mr. Toad.

The list goes on. Add the Diamond Horseshoe Revue to the mix. Capt. EO, even? One could even argue the WEDway People Mover should be on the list; after all, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. Perhaps the original Tomorrowland should be on this list (along with such lovable attractions as If You had Wings, Mission to Mars and the Star Jets).

In some instances, bigger and better attractions have taken their place, though these new rides will never replace them. But, Winnie the Pooh? Nothing will replace Mr. Toad.

On the road again? Is there a healthy option?

It’s no surprise that a lot of people make New Year’s resolutions, but fail keep them. A number of surveys show that.

In fact, a new survey from Cambria Suites found that 45 percent of Americans made a health-related resolution, but that 42 percent “have already fallen off the wagon.” In addition, 83 percent of travelers surveyed “find it difficult to stick to a healthy lifestyle while on the road” while 29 percent find it “very difficult or impossible.”

“These results reveal that not many hotels are addressing the needs of today’s guests, who want much more than a room and bed to feel truly at home,” William Edmundson, president of Cambria Suites said in a news release.

Additional results from the survey, announced last month, show:

• “Healthy eating is the hardest habit to maintain, with 61 percent of survey respondents admitting this aspect is difficult to stick to while traveling.”
• “Second in difficulty is exercising (52 percent), followed by getting adequate sleep (48 percent).”
• “Nearly one-quarter (23 percent) of Americans find minimizing stress to be difficult on the road, and about one-fifth (17 percent) say it’s hard to resist the urge to smoke.”

Chattanooga: From trains to natural wonders, a little fun north of the state line

By Todd DeFeo

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Certainly, a trip to Chattanooga conjures up memories of America’s romantic past – an era when rail was the only way to travel.

The city’s railroad past was immortalized in “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” the foot-tapping big band classic made famous by Glenn Miller. While there are plenty of must-see railroad attractions in Chattanooga, the city is just as much for the history buff and the outdoorsman looking for the first sizeable city north of Atlanta.

What’s so intriguing about Chattanooga – nicknamed “The Scenic City” for a good reason – is the sheer number of attractions. A weekend is not enough time to take in all the sights. Still, a couple of days here will no doubt make for an exceptional getaway, no matter how many attractions you end up seeing.

For starters, a trip to Chattanooga wouldn’t be complete without heading to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, the largest operating historic railroad in the Southeast. Designated the “Official Railroad Museum of Tennessee,” TVRM trains operate over rails that were first laid in 1856, and trains pass through the 979-foot-long Missionary Ridge Tunnel, an exceptional feat of engineering when it opened in the 19th century.

The museum’s “Missionary Ridge Local” trains run 50-minute round trips daily from mid-March through October and on weekends during November. Half-way through the outing, passengers have the chance to watch the engine turn around on an historic roundtable as it prepares to complete the round trip.

The museum also offers a number of other longer excursions, including the “Chickamauga Turn” – an all-day expedition that runs from the museum to Chickamauga, Ga., on Saturdays during the summer.

Keeping the railroad theme going, the Incline Railway, also known as “America’s Most Amazing Mile,” is one of the more unique offerings, not just in Chattanooga, but anywhere. Built in 1895, the railroad whisks adventure-seekers up the side of Lookout Mountain, and its 72.7 percent grade near the top of the mountain makes it the steepest railroad in the world.

This one-of-a-kind railroad helped make Lookout Mountain a popular summer vacation destination and continues to attract visitors by the thousands more than a century later. The viewing platform at Lookout Mountain station offers a great view of the city, the surrounding region and also of the Great Smoky Mountains roughly 100 miles away.

One last rail-themed attraction worth visiting is the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Today a Holiday Inn, the Chattanooga Choo Choo dates to 1909 when it saw the departure of its first passenger train. The Choo Choo served as a functioning train station until Aug. 11, 1970, when the last passenger train departed.

The station has since found a new life as a hotel, and guests can stay in either a standard room or in a refurbished rail car. There are plenty of places at the Choo Choo to eat and shop, and a 1924 New Orleans trolley whisks visitors around the hotel’s grounds.

If railroads are one integral theme of a Chattanooga weekend, natural wonders are another.

Visit Ruby Falls. This 145-foot-tall waterfall located 1,100 feet beneath Lookout Mountain is one of the most spectacular natural wonders, as more than 300 gallons of water pour out of the waterfall every minute. Opened as a tourist attraction in 1930, Ruby Falls has remained one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Southeast.

Next, “See Rock City.” This famous slogan was painted everywhere, from billboards to the roofs of barns, making it one of the more wildly-successful advertising campaigns in history. Located in nearby Lookout Mountain, Ga., Rock City opened as a tourist attraction in the 1930s and draws thousands of visitors every year.

The highlight of Rock City is Lover’s Leap, a natural overlook where travelers can see seven states from one spot. The path leading to and from Lover’s Leap offers an adventure in and of itself, as travelers must traverse winding walkways with stairs and bridges and a number of tight rock formations – one aptly named Fat Man’s Squeeze – just to make it to the top and back to the bottom.

One last site worth visiting is Lookout Mountain Battlefield. Looking from the top of the mountain reveals the strategic importance of Chattanooga in the Civil War. Once Union forces took control of the city in 1863, Gen. William T. Sherman could then march to Atlanta and to the sea the following year.

Today, the 3,000-acre battlefield features a number of historical markers, monuments and numerous scenic views. The battlefield’s visitor’s center includes a 13x33-foot painting depicting the “Battle of Lookout Mountain.”

While the aforementioned half-dozen attractions are enough to make for an action-packed weekend, they really only scratch the surface. The city is also home to many manmade attractions worth visiting.

If your schedule permits, set aside time to visit the Tennessee Aquarium and the IMAX 3D Theater. Another attraction, the Southern Belle Riverboat, takes tourists on a cruise up and down the Tennessee River and offers a number of themed trips throughout the year.

So, take your pick. Chattanooga offers a little something for everyone, from the railfan to the outdoorsman to those just looking for a fun-filled weekend just over the state line.

Marking the anniversary of The Andrews Raid

By Todd DeFeo

KENNESAW, Ga. – For anyone looking to take advantage of the spring weather, today marks the 147th anniversary of the Andrews Raid.

It was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and the morning passenger train – pulled by the locomotive General – arrived in town. The train comes to a stop and 20 men step on board, all headed to various destinations to the north.

What no one on board the train knew is that the 20 men were Union spies. Led by James J. Andrews, the men planned to steal the locomotive and then destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital link between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., in the heart of the Confederacy.

The Andrews Raid, also known as The Great Locomotive Chase, ultimately failed. But days later, the Southern Confederacy newspaper proclaimed it “the most extraordinary and astounding adventure of the war.” More than an “astounding adventure,” the raid was near genius.

Marking the anniversary of The Andrews Raid

Photo by Todd DeFeo

KENNESAW, Ga. – For anyone looking to take advantage of the spring weather, today marks the 147th anniversary of the Andrews Raid.

It was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, and the morning passenger train – pulled by the locomotive General – arrived in town. The train comes to a stop and 20 men step on board, all headed to various destinations to the north.

What no one on board the train knew is that the 20 men were Union spies. Led by James J. Andrews, the men planned to steal the locomotive and then destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a vital link between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., in the heart of the Confederacy.

The Andrews Raid, also known as The Great Locomotive Chase, ultimately failed. But days later, the Southern Confederacy newspaper proclaimed it “the most extraordinary and astounding adventure of the war.” More than an “astounding adventure,” the raid was near genius.

Previous articles:

• ‘The most extraordinary and astounding adventure’


• Standing where the raiders once stood


• 'Big Shanty, 20 minutes for breakfast'


• Kingston: The turning point of the Andrews Raid

The classics: Walt Disney World’s best attractions

By Todd DeFeo

Walt Disney World is itself a classic. Generation after generation has grown up walking right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A., roamin' the Wild West and waltzing with storybook characters in Fantasyland.

Attractions have come and gone, others have delighted crowds for years. Below is a list of 10 classic Walt Disney World attractions (all of which are at least 15 years old).

• Spaceship Earth: Not so much the ride itself as the fact it’s located in Epcot Center's centerpiece – the golf ball, as many guests call it.
• Walt Disney World Railroad and Main Street Vehicles: Arguably, if not for the railroad, Disneyland never would have been built. The Disneyland Railroad was a Walt Disney favorite, and the WDWRR would have been as well. The Main Street vehicles add to the ambiance of a turn of the century town.
• Jungle Cruise: Filled with wry humor, this is a true Disney classic and a precursor to the Animal Kingdom.
• Space Mountain: Since 1975, Space Mountain has whisked space travelers around Tomorrowland.
• Splash Mountain: One of the newer classics at the Magic Kingdom, join Br’er Rabbit and friends for a trip through the briar patch.
• Hollywood Tower of Terror: Based on the classic television show, the Tower of Terror features one of the best finishes ever.
• It’s a Small World: Since its introduction at the 1964 World's Fair, It’s a Small World has been one of the most widely recognized attractions – and Disney songs for that matter.
• Haunted Mansion: There are 999 happy haunts. There is room for 1,000. Don’t forget your death certificate.
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The last attraction that Walt Disney himself personally worked on, the attraction has spawned a successful movie franchise. But, it will always be a theme park attraction first and foremost. “Drink up me hearties, yo ho.”
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: “Hang on to your personal belongings, now – especially them hats and glasses, cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness.” This could be the best themed roller coaster in the history of themed roller coasters.

The mine equipment scattered around the ride's grounds is antique – another example of Disney doing it right.

Sure, there are others. The Carousel of Progress, perhaps. The Carousel? Maybe, the Hall of Presidents or Dumbo. This is a debate that could rage on for years, but these 10 attractions have certainly welcomed thousands of guests over the past decades and will without a doubt welcome thousands more in the years to come.

There’s no point in waiting one hour for pictures anymore

Photo by Todd DeFeo

It used to be that a few days were quick enough; then it went to an hour. Now, a few seconds is just unacceptable.

It’s interesting to think back a few years ago about the transformation of cameras and how photo processing has changed over the years. Does anybody shoot film anymore?

I take a lot of pictures whenever I travel, to say the least. It used to be a dozen rolls of film on a weekend getaway. But developing costs added up pretty quickly, especially when I was impatient and wanted my pictures developed on CD and in an hour.

Given that so often I am shooting for a digital medium – Web sites or e-mail – I don't need prints of every picture I take. Frankly, when you consider how many pictures I take, there are bound to be a few duds. Make that a lot of duds.

When I was shooting with a film camera, I certainly took a lot of pictures, though I would try and limit the number, keeping in mind I still had to pay to develop these pictures, no matter how they turned out. I’m the type of person to go to a film developing location and pay for all of the prints, that is, I typically don’t turn down any of the pictures I have taken, no matter how atrocious they may be.

That usually added up quickly, but luckily, I had some restraint. In the film days, I usually didn’t pack more than about a dozen rolls on any given trip, knowing it was not financially wise to develop 20 rolls of film for about 20 pictures I really wanted. Had I not done that, I might have had to take out a loan just to cover the developing costs.

That’s changed in today’s digital times.

If there’s any drawback to a digital camera it’s the “unlimited” pictures I can now snap. There is no developing cost, for all practical purposes, so I can now take as many pictures as I want. And believe me I do: that funny sign over there, the sky and perhaps a few of that squirrel sitting on top of a nearby wall (even though they’re hideous animals). But hey, it’s something to take a picture of and besides I may want it someday. For what, I have no idea.

And if a train happens to pass by, forget about it – I need another memory card for that; luckily there’s an electronics store across the street. Perhaps, while I’m there, I should also pick up a new hard drive. These pictures aren’t small and considering I take at least 200 pictures on any given trip – make that 200 or 1,000 per day – that can add up to a couple of gigabytes. Good thing for that DVD burner.

I guess I can take my picture-taking affinity one step further with my camera phone. Too bad this thing doesn’t have rapid fire. It really limits the number of pictures I can take.

13 million strong: Racing for the casual and seasoned

By Todd DeFeo

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The noise level rose as the crowd started cheering for their favorite horses making their way around the final curve and into the homestretch.

Just watching the crowd, one can pick out the winners and the losers, simply by their facial expressions. The winners jump for joy and shake their counterparts’ hands, while the losers, looking dejected, turn the pages in their programs and again begin the search for a horse that won't disappoint in the next race.

The scene repeats itself throughout the day.

But for many, the trip to the track is more than just an opportunity to gamble – it’s an experience. And tracks such as Keeneland in Lexington host casual spectators as well as seasoned gamblers.

In recent years, story lines – Big Brown, Smarty Jones and Funny Cide all flirting with a Triple Crown – have created popular heroes, drawing in a new generation of race fans. Likewise, the success of the movie “Seabiscuit” attracted new people to the races.

But at Keeneland, it’s not just about the gambling, though the money does certainly flow. Tracks, and especially Keeneland, offer something for everyone – the chance to place wagers, the opportunity to socialize and for the photographer like me, an occasion to take hundreds of pictures in a single afternoon.

According to the U.S. Census, nearly 13 million people travel to the races each year. It’s not the National Pastime, but it's certainly popular and the perfect springtime activity.

13 million strong: Racing for the casual and seasoned

Photo by Todd DeFeo

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The noise level rose as the crowd started cheering for their favorite horses making their way around the final curve and into the homestretch.

Just watching the crowd, one can pick out the winners and the losers, simply by their facial expressions. The winners jump for joy and shake their counterparts’ hands, while the losers, looking dejected, turn the pages in their programs and again begin the search for a horse that won't disappoint in the next race.

The scene repeats itself throughout the day.

But for many, the trip to the track is more than just an opportunity to gamble – it’s an experience. And tracks such as Keeneland in Lexington host casual spectators as well as seasoned gamblers.

In recent years, story lines – Big Brown, Smarty Jones and Funny Cide all flirting with a Triple Crown – have created popular heroes, drawing in a new generation of race fans. Likewise, the success of the movie “Seabiscuit” attracted new people to the races.

But at Keeneland, it’s not just about the gambling, though the money does certainly flow. Tracks, and especially Keeneland, offer something for everyone – the chance to place wagers, the opportunity to socialize and for the photographer like me, an occasion to take hundreds of pictures in a single afternoon.

According to the U.S. Census, nearly 13 million people travel to the races each year. It’s not the National Pastime, but it's certainly popular and the perfect springtime activity.

Train show features models, memorabilia and more

By Todd DeFeo

NORCROSS, Ga. – The Great Train Expo hit town this weekend, offering everyone from avid railfans to first-timers the chance to peruse an assortment of railroad memorabilia, model trains and everything in between.

Atlanta resident Ruth Mitcham attended her first train show. She enjoyed the show’s atmosphere, especially the model train layouts.

“It’s just interesting to see this many people doing what they love,” she said as she watched a Florida East Coast locomotive pulling a mixed freight train on the Georgia Division of the Atlantic Coast S Gaugers’ layout. “Everybody seems to take such joy in it.”

The Great Train Expo continues today at the North Atlanta Trade Center. For information, log onto http://www.trainexpoinc.com/.

RVers: Recession? What recession?

A new “Campfire Canvass” of RV owners found that more than half (55 percent) plan “to use their RVs more this spring/summer than last year.”

At the same time, 45 percent of RV owners might buy another vehicle or are at least considering it, according to the survey, which is conducted bi-annually by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).

Interestingly, just four percent of respondents plan to use their RVs less this year. Other results include:

• Three-fourths indicated their plans included more mini-vacations to escape the stress and spend more quality time with their family or enjoy nature and other outdoor activities, the RVIA said.
• 86 percent said traveling in an RV is an affordable means of transportation.
• Three-fourths said they save 25 percent or more – and more than a quarter said they save 35-50 percent or more – by traveling in an RV.
• 68 percent of RV owners said they believe this is good time to buy an RV and 94 percent of those respondents say great deals are available.

“RV travel continues to appeal to people looking to save money and cut costs,” says Richard Coon, president of RVIA. “By having their homes-on-wheels with them, RV owners receive a bigger bang for their buck than other types of vacations offer.”