In the early 20th century, my paternal grandfather worked for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Railroad. This one of the few positions a Colored could have down South. One could be a teacher in a Negro school like both of grandpa’s sisters. A minister or an undertaker for Coloreds. So grandpa worked the Railroad.

This is where my dad found his love of trains.

When we got our house in Brooklyn in the 1950′s. He eventually built a giant electric train layout in the basement. This to the joy of all the kids on the block, and my Ma’s ongoing exasperations. Grandpa passed his love of trains to dad, and he to me.