Die-Hard Railfans Haven’t Changed Much

To the Editor:

On Saturday, Nov. 23, 1957, the “Last Ride Gang” gathered for a long wait at Plum for a historic train ride – the last passenger train to La Grange. On Friday, Sept. 22, the “Most Recent Ride Gang” gathered for a long wait at Temple for a less historic ride aboard Amtrak.

The Texas Special, Katy’s Train 21, was due in Plum at 3:04 p.m. The La Grange Journal says the Last Ride Gang “braved rain, sleet and almost freezing weather Saturday night to ride the last Katy passenger train into La Grange from Plum.” And the train was late. “The brave little party waited all afternoon, but finally was able to ride into La Grange at about 7:20 p.m.” Four hours and 16 minutes.

It wasn’t raining, sleeting or freezing in Temple on Friday night. In fact the “Most Recent Ride Gang” had enjoyed a day of dining, shopping, strolling and “continuing education” at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum in rather splendid weather.

Amtrak’s Texas Eagle, ironically also Train No. 21, was due at 4:43 to take the “brave little party” back to San Marcos, where their cars were parked for the journey back to La Grange. But surprise! Amtrak was late! Who would have expected it?

“It was a historic occasion although many in the party began to feel it was somewhat foolish after having to wait for No. 21 from 3:04 p.m. to 7:20 p.m.,” the Journal reported in 1957.

In 2023, the party waited until 9:03 p.m. for No. 21 to arrive in Temple – four hours and 20 minutes late. Four minutes longer than the Last Ride Gang waited.

Of course it only got worse. The train departed Temple four hours and 29 minutes late; Taylor, five hours and 3 minutes late; Austin, five hours and 10 minutes late; and arrive in San Marcos at 12:46 a.m., five hours at 34 minutes late.

But remember, nobody rides a train for its on-time performance. The “Most Recent Ride Gang” are real railroaders. And when’s the last time any of us didn’t get home from a party until after two in the morning?