Mention a train today, and you may think of Amtrak, that money sucking rail
line owned by us, the tax payers. Or think of a freight train, and you see
endless cars hauling containers full of Chinese goods. But it wasn’t always
that way, seeing a train at one time was a majestic thing, something that was
compared with Superman for power, and hauling American made goods to Americans
ready to consume them, or in a complete reversal, being hauled to shipping docks
for overseas consumption. And travel by train was the preferred route over air,
both in prestige and mode. The rails dominated the country sides, and many a
young man watched and waved as the engineer made his daily scheduled run past
their house. Where I grew up they took most of my friend’s fathers to work in
New York City, and as a teen it cost $1.25 to ride round trip in and back.
Train stations were things of beauty, and most reflected back to an earlier time
around the turn of the century, the 20th century. And in Pennsylvania where my
relatives lived, trains were it, hauling coal from the mines to giant smelters
for the steel companies, with rail yards in the two towns my parents were from.
After a dinner out, it was off to the roundhouse, where my Grandpa would explain
all the trains to me, they looked just like my Lionel set down in his basement.
Or was it the other way around? I thought he owned the place, as many waved,
acknowledged and were friendly to us. Who wouldn’t want to drive a
train....cars and motorcycle were still too far off to be real. Trains it was,
and still is today for many.
In the next town over, Pen Argyl, was a much larger terminal for freight
trains. My Pappy worked there part time, walking the yard and recording the car
numbers, the sight, smells, and feel still can be felt. Bigger than life, still
some steam engines, and everything super sized. But by the time of my teens,
both yards were gone, the coal business was gone, the steel business was moving
overseas, and the rails were being torn up. No more waiting for the 5:06 to
Portland, or the 10:20 to Tamaqua, the rail beds now sprouted weeds, with some
old railroad ties left behind. The roundhouses torn down, trains hauled off,
and only the memories left behind. Jobs went with it, as did boyhood dreams,
and today just thinking of trains connected with Amtrak is repulsive. The
Lehigh Valley and New England was the rail world to me, and now only lives in
faded memories. Along with ever driving a train...
But never stop dreaming, as one Mother’s Day in 2012 my dream came true.
While at the Perris Train Museum, friends were taking a ride on the old train,
old meaning electric diesel and passenger cars from the circa 1950’s, to me the
golden age of rails, the times I knew as 5 year old and into my teens. I was
sitting waiting for the train to go on it 3 mile run, when the engineer waved at
me, and I waved back, except it wasn’t hello, he was inviting me up. “Wanna
ride in the cab?” My speedy run up and in told him a loud “yes!” And soon
Theresa was with me and we were off. The sound, the power, the view, waving
back at kids like I once waved was great, then he asked me to take the
controls. And for over 3 miles I cruised at around 16 mph, slow on a bike,
faster than the locomotive on Superman to me. I could feel the power, and think
I did OK. We all arrived safely, and some 50+ years were erased and I was that 5
year old with my Grandpa. The smells came back, the sounds, the view was
incredible, and I wondered if it was all a dream? Do dreams really come true if
you wait long enough? Do little boys really ever grow up? Were there really
words to express my thrill and thanks? Suddenly Lionel was a distant second, as
I had driven a real train, and all the buildings of Plasticville had become
real.
Mention peace in a dream today and many would think without wars. No SUV’s
cutting me off while riding. Short lines at Walmart, and friendly neighbors.
Streets not crowded, politicians telling the truth, and no more wars. Not at
all bad dreams, but totally unreal. Or are they? Isaiah tells of a time when
the lion will lie with the lamb, the ferocious king will lie with the most timid
in safety. Wolves, leopards, and other predators will lie among once fair
game. A time when children will not have to worry about playing with them, the
zoos will be empty and peace will reign. True peace, as it will come from God,
and his spirit will guide. A time beyond words or comprehension, and a time when
a little child will lead them. Of course it refers to Jesus, the child of God,
in a perfect world when he returns to earth. One many cannot or will believe
in, because their world is in such turmoil. A time in the future offered to
all, but only received by those that claim Jesus. To me a place where the trains
again will run, the highways will be free of SUV’s, and I will be forever the
right age to ride and enjoy. A time I look forward to, and not just in my
dreams.
You see whatever you think heaven will be like, it will be better. I
Corinthians tells us “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind imagined the
things of the kingdom,” they will be that much better. And you are invited to
come. A while back a man at a Bible study asked me “will animals be there?” He
loves his pets. But my answer was not a yes or no, the important thing is “will
you be there?” Which made him think, will you be there? Do you believe in the
concept of heaven, or do you walk with Jesus, who is the only way there? Still
trying to earn your way, only to come up short and worry “did I do enough to
earn it?” It is a gift of God,so none should boast. Because one thing is for
sure, Jesus will be there, and noting else will matter. I have known such
peace, and the only way to describe it is “I want to go back.” Heaven is real,
Jesus is there, and you must be born again to enter. And the ride is
free....
Some day we will all meet the end of the line, and like the railroads I
once loved, we will be gone too. Life will never end for Christians, but will
never end for the unsaved also. We get heaven, they get hell, their choice.
Today God via his spirit may ask you “who is Jesus?” Deny his deity and don’t
repent, hell is promised. Repent and come to Christ and be saved, you are
heaven bound upon death. Really, we will never die, for we go from one address
to another. Where heaven may be the end of the line, but really is just the
beginning of eternity. You see, the lions will lie with the lambs, and can
today in your heart. That peace that only seems a dream can become real, and
while all hell breaks loose, you can be saved, and have his peace. From above
to within, and you cannot do it without Christ in your heart. You may be one
decision away from the greatest ride of your life, or be left at the station
when the train of God pulls out. Do you believe? Do you have your
ticket?
The engineer’s view is a great one, one of power, majesty, and he can see
what’s ahead. Jesus knows even more, and is the only train on the only track
you want to be on. Some day all that will be left of your memory is where the
tracks once ran. Don’t be left behind, you don’t have to be. The lion and the
lamb are calling from the tribe of Judah. Meet him today, and enjoy the ride in
the cab next to him. Heaven is real, I’ll be there, hope to see you too.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com