The Lincoln Ghost Train
Abraham Lincoln traveled long after his death - not through paranormal means, but by train. After his assassinantion in 1865, Lincoln’s body began a 1,700 mile journey from Washington, D.C. all the way to Illinois, with stops until it reached its final destination of East Albany Station. However, railroad employees have reported Lincoln’s Ghost Train returning for another ride.
Lincoln was a president that many felt extremely close to. So, it’s no surprise that his death also brought the demand to grieve and celebrate his accomplishments. During his long journey home, the schedule of his arrivals and stations was shared so that those who wanted to could mourn Lincoln. As acknowledgement of this, the train would slow to 5mp and remain at the stop as long as possible without causing delay.
The train itself was nine cars long and the final car was the Presidential car, followed by the caboose. Another train rode approximately ten minutes ahead of the funeral train to survey the tracks, notify the Lincoln train of any issues, and to act as notice that the President was on his way.
However, as the years have passed it appears Lincoln isn’t done with his tour, and the train makes an occasionally ghostly ride to railroads across America.
People often note that they feel a cold rush of air on the track, seemingly out of nowhere. Then as they look up the tracks, an old train can be seen. The ghostly train rolls by as onlookers simply stare.
However, sometimes the train is not as...empty. In fact, some reports claim that they can see the ghostly, sometimes even described as skeletal, train engineers and people aboard the train. People usually claim to know its Lincoln’s train because they see his image on the front, or his coffin in the back.
Sometimes, people believe that energy can create a kind of ghostly apparition to be stuck in time. That human emotion can be so powerful it creates...something. Some estimates claim that 25% of the US population made its way to at least one of the stations to honor Lincoln as he passed. Perhaps, the grief of so many was able to keep Lincoln’s train going...in perpetuity.
Thank you so much Anna M for this blogstonishing topic!
The image depicts the train and its engineers, and is licensed under the public domain.