A List Of Celebrities Who Also Liked Trains

1. Johnny Cash: While  this may not suprise some, as seen by  his numerous songs that had stuff to do with trains such as "I've  got a thing about trains". Johnny Cash was in fact a railfan, having grown up near both the Rock Island Line and Cotton Belt route, it's  fair to say he had an interest in trains. Also, in his cover of the Nine Inch Nails song "hurt" you can see him in the cab of Southern  Railway No. 4501. Another thing with him is that on his variety  show back in the 1960s that always included a segment on railroads. You could say Johnny  was a train fan through and through.

2. Walt Disney: When you were known for placing  a Steam Railroad and a Monorail both in the same amusement  park you own, it's  fair to say you must have some interest in trains. There have also been reports  that before creating Walt Disney Inc, he worked on the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Not only that he also owned numerous  toy trains. Walt Disney  could be the definition  of a railfan if need be.

3. Rod Stewart: Famous Rock n Roll star Rod Stewart is known for owning a tremendous  HO scale model train layout he calls "the three river city". He was also once quoted stating that  "I'm proud to be a railway modeler,"  "It means more to me to be on the cover of Model Railroader than to be on the cover of a music magazine." Obviously  this bluntly  states he has a passion for trains as well.

4. Joe Biden: Along with being the 47th Vice President  of the United  States, Biden is known to be a passenger train enthusiast. He has logged over 2 MILLION  MILES  on Amtrak  travel alone over the past 40 years or so.  He is a major advocate for passenger rail and played a major role in making sure Amtrak got 2 Billion  dollars to go towards upgrading their trains on the Northeast Corridor. Not only that, he also played a part in restoring St. Paul, Minnesota's  Union Station.  Regardless  of your political  beliefs, Joe has been and continues  to be a major advocate  for trains.

5. Merle Haggard: The fact that Merle's 23rd studio album is called "My Love Affair  With Trains" could be enough evidence  for some that he really  enjoys his trains. His  Father also worked for the Atchison,  Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad and he lived in a house made out of a Santa  Fe boxcar. His tour bus was even painted  with the Santa Fe "drumhead" logo on it! Not only that, but his collection  of model trains was worth over $250,000! So yeah, you could say he was pretty devoted to his trains!!

6. Neil Young: Neil Young has always  been a huge fan of Lionel Trains since he was a young boy. He got his first Lionel set when he was a pre-teen and had kept his hobby since. His special needs son Ben, is also a big fan of the trains and they bond together  through their love of model trains! In fact, their bond was so significant  that Neil had a "paddle" designed for Ben  to operate the trains by leaning his head into the paddle to apply and disengage power to the train set due to the fact he had severe  difficulties  using his arms and legs. Talk about devotion!

7. Roger Daltry: The singer of world renowned  band The Who has a 45×25 foot layout that he operates in his attic with some of his friends. He discovered  this hobby when he was in his "middle age".  Him and  his friend Cliff Parsons were both appalled at the fact that children of Brittain didn't  know much about their country's proud railroad  history, and are working on developing  the 2.5 acre Ashford International  Model Railway Educational Centre, which is planned to feature  up to 30 massive model railroad layouts worth several hundred thousands of pounds! There is no denying  his love of trains when he out that much into it!

8. Frank Sinatra: Ol Blue eyes  had a thing for trains, so much so that he would take the subway from Hoboken to Manhattan  just to see the model trains in window displays at department  stores! His mother pawned an old fox fur she had aquired so that way Frank could have his first train set. Another interesting  tale about Frank was that he would hop aboard streetcars with his friends to the old Lionel train factory and search their dumpsters for discarded model train parts. They would then put together trains from whatever larts they could find! ( Talk about hardcore!) As an adult his interest  never faded, as he devoted an entire guesthouse on his California  ranch to become a model train shrine! This was how he would spend his time out of the limelight  to unwind. Because of the fact that he was on tour constantly, Sinatra  never really had time to buy trains of his own. However, his staff loved him like his own family and went out of their way to buy an actual  full sized caboose that was placed  on his ranch property! Devoted? I'd  say for sure!

Railroad Preservation: So Many Projects Not Enough Hands

The rail preservation industry has become so massive, that there seems to be a new project started at least once a week. Rail preservation projects are responsible for keeping tourist lines running, locomotives operating, and keeping equipment in good condition. To ensure that this all happens, there needs to be hands there to help get these projects completed. These projects require a wide demographic of people who can help. From welders who can join the necessary materials  together, to writers like myself who can help get the word out about these projects and potentially help raise funds for these projects. The problem is, where are all these people?? Is there some other factors that are creating this dilemma?
Rick Rowlands was courteous enough to take time for an interview regarding this whole problem.

RPJ:On any given weekend when you are helping with a preservation project, like let's say laying down rail or doing cosmetic touch ups on a locomotive, is there typically a lack of volunteers?

RR: It depends on the project and the location.  Projects such as steam loco restorations tend to attract more people than lets say restoring a caboose might.  Projects outside of major population centers tend to have more volunteers than those located in cities.
The real lack is in competent qualified people.  Its relatively easy to find people to do manual labor, but its rare to find those with skills and even rare to find someone who is a self directed with skills.  Someone that you can give a project to and who can get it done with minimal direction

RPJ: What are some ways this problem can be fixed?

RR: Well for one, schools need to stop pushing college only and start getting people interested in the trades.  Because college grads who can't change a tire are not going to be the ones who volunteer at the local rail museum! Another problem is there seems to be a disconnect between the railfan population and the rail preservationists.  Not much crossover between the two that I see.  Some more fans need to volunteer at the local rail museum.  Make some friends, learn a skill etc. There is much more to railroads than chasing heritage units and taking pictures.   Working on the stuff can also be a lot of fun and nothing is more satisfying than after a long hard day, looking at what you accomplished. Whether it be a paint job on a car or a section of track built.

RPJ: For sure, a big boy can't fix itself! What do you think are some of the reasons why railfans and preservationists don't intermingle much? Is there tension or just a lack of effort?

RR: Some of us preservationists can be grumpy and not as welcoming as we could be.  I think we don't do as good of a job on outreach. Also, many fans just don't have an interest in working with their hands because they haven't been exposed to it.  Many kids grow up and never have worked on anything so its something totally alien to them. it goes back to the schools and pushing college and getting rid of shop classes. High schools used to give kids a well rounded education. You could take wood shop, ,metal shop, auto mechanics etc.  Nowadays schools contract with vocational schools to offer those classes, but unlike in the past where a student could take a shop class or two, they now have to choose between college track and stay at HS with their friends or choose trades track and go off to the vo-tech.  You cannot become well rounded in that case.
Its not supposed to be an either-or.  Its suppose to be a little bit of both, this short sighted decision made by many schools has caused this country HUGE problems.

RPJ: So where do you see the preservation industry if things don't change?

RR: Slowly dwindling away.  Smaller operations will close up and the larger ones will find it harder to get people.  Look at most museums you visit,  Mostly older people.

RPJ: What can the average Joe in the preservation  industry do to prevent the flame from dying out eventually?

RR: I don't know.  Demographics and shifting societal interests seem to be against us

RPJ: So do you think this is more of a political dilemm a that may be out of our control?

RR: The entire country is changing away from being a manufacturing powerhouse and when the manufacturing jobs are lost so too are people who know how to do things.  Also when the good paying jobs go away people have less time for leisure activities because they are busy trying to survive.

RPJ: Do easier times lead to better volunteer turnouts?

RR: Generally.  Also more visitorship

RPJ: One final question do you feel there is a need for these projects to reach out more through social media?

RR: More  communication is always helpful!