[SIZE=medium]A Remembrance From Afar[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]When I was just a little kid in the 60’s, my grandparents would arrive for the holidays at the Milwaukee Road Depot. I remember waiting, shivering cold, and then climbing aboard the warm Rock Island train to find my grandparents. About that same time, my third grade class took a field trip on the Empire Builder from the Great Northern Depot to St. Paul Union Depot. My first train ride.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]As I got older, Amtrak took over. I spent many hours at the Great Northern Depot watching the trains come and go, all in almost their original consists. My birthday presents were tickets to ride. I rode on the (almost) original consists of the Super Chief, Empire Builder, Broadway Ltd....[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]In my teens, I watched Amtrak build the new Midway Station. It was, to us youngsters, marvelous. Amtrak was succeeding! Many years later, my heart sank as I saw the Great Northern Depot come down. The abandoned St. Paul Union Depot could not be far behind, and the Milwaukee Road Station was a ghost, also awaiting the wrecking ball.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Today I see the Milwaukee Road Station preserved, light rail lines connecting the cities, and—wonder of wonders—St. Paul Union Depot renovated and beginning a new life as a cultural and transit center. I never would have dared to hope for such things. Now in my 50’s, I live in Los Angeles, where similar miracles are happening.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]All things considered, we have done well, fellow rail fans. As the new year dawns, I am grateful and, miracle of miracles, hopeful.[/SIZE]