We pulled out of Union Station at about 8PM. In the song, the train pulls out in the morning and arrives in the evening. Guess things had changed since Steve Goodman rode the train and wrote the song. I could live with that. Ever since I’d first heard Arlo Guthrie singing about “The City of New Orleans”, I’d wanted to take this trip. Oftentimes, at work or in the shower, I’d find myself humming the tune. Now, I was actually on the legendary train, riding from Chicago to New Orleans. We’d be “changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee” at about 6:30 in the morning, “half way home and we’d be there” by about 3:30 in the afternoon. OK, I’ll admit it didn’t have quite the same lyrical impact as the songwriter’s ride. As I was to learn, however, there are still some wonderful sights to be seen “nighttime on The City of New Orleans”. I was lucky enough to witness one that still burns in my sexual memory.

There were no old men in the club car and the only card game was being played by a long legged, slim blonde in her very early twenties. She was sitting at a table playing Solitaire. I’m kind of on the short, stubby side. I’ve never considered myself to be in the same sexual league as young, tall blondes with sexy slim figures. I’m not even sure we’re playing the same sport. That night, though, I had enough romantic spirit and just enough spirits to strike up a conversation. She was friendly. I learned that her name was Denise. Her boyfriend was an intern in Jackson, MS and she was headed to see him. I wasn’t surprised to find she had a boyfriend, nor, even that he was a doctor. I was a bit surprised that a young woman on such a tight schedule was riding the train, rather than flying.