A couple of weeks ago I received the four DVD set of the series and am now on my second viewing. I was eight years old when the series was broadcast in St. Louis. I loved it so much back then and, for a number of years, I would check the internet every so often to see if it became available. Finally, I got it. Yes, I also had a Lionel train set when I was a boy. I wish I still had it. My love of railroading came from my father who, in 1923, spent a year as a telegrapher on the old Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad and retired as inbound freight foreman for Acme Fast Freight in 1968. So he was around railroads most of his working career. My favorite character on the show back then was Casey Jr. I really identified with him. He was the son of the engineer and got to RIDE in the locomotive. Well, an engineer made a dream come true for a ten year old boy in 1960. My house was close to the West Belt Line of the Terminal Railroad. I was watching a crew switching at the Lever Brothers plant one day when the engineer invited me to ride in the cab while they switched cars in the Lever Brothers yard. I'll never forget his kindness to me. Just like the kindness of Casey Jones Sr., so well played by Alan Hale.
Casey Jones, steamin' and a rollin'. Casey Jones, you'll never have to guess. When you hear the tootin' of his whistle it's Casey at the throttle of the Cannon Ball Express!
Casey Jones, steamin' and a rollin'. Casey Jones, you'll never have to guess. When you hear the tootin' of his whistle it's Casey at the throttle of the Cannon Ball Express!