Trains.

Who doesn't have a soft spot in their heart for them?

How many books have we read about hobos riding the rails across the US, free as the wind?

Trains stir up the nostalgia in all of us, signaling adventure to places distant and unknown.

It was such excitement that my Mom (she's up visiting from the summer blast furnace they call Texas) and me jumped aboard the Maine Eastern Railroad in Brunswick last Saturday bound for Rockland.

We settled into some plush seats up front and started to relax. Until we were told that this was first class and were promptly ushered to the rear of the train.

Ooops.

No matter.

The coach car was comfy, too. And just one car down from the bar car. Bonus!

And so we clicked and clacked our way up the rails, watching out the window like a couple of kids as the countryside rolled by.

Soon enough a real live conductor came by announcing, "Tickets, please. Tickets."

Cool.

Somewhere around Wiscasset a young man pulled out his guitar and harmonica and strolled through the cars playing music for tips. Nice.

The Rockland station came all too soon. We piled out onto the platform and into the beautifully refurbished station. Then into the streets of Rockland in search of, what else, lobster!

We found our prey at the Rockland Cafe and gorged ourselves on succulent hard shells, hand-cut fries, cole slaw and sweet tea. Mmmm.

Then we wiled away the afternoon poking about the waterfront and nosing through the downtown shops.

Weary travelers, we were happy to board the 4:30 train for home. We alternately dozed and stared out the big window as the train rumbled down the tracks and transported us back through time.

What a wonderful experience! A trip that will only get better as the beautiful late summer and fall weather arrives...

My Mom waxes nostalgic for the old trains.

First class is nice, eh? Too bad we got kicked out!

Coach class was comfy.

Real conductors!

Our on-board enterainment.

The view from the caboose.

Pulling into the station in Rockland.

It's easy to enjoy a day in downtown Rockland.

You can't visit Rockland without gettin' a lobstah hat!

Mom ready to ride the rails home.

Are you an old train buff? Have you ever ridden on the Maine Eastern Railroad?