Since 1982, Ray Burns and Steve Grande had been working together in offering online information services with Ray taking care of the marketing and Steve taking care of the technical side of things. Their first venture together was operating a commercial computer time-share service known as Medcom Information Systems, Inc. Medcom was an offshoot of Midcom Corporation, a technical contracting & staffing firm started by Steve and his wife, Barbara Cepinko, in 1979.
In 1993, the general public was just beginning to discover the existence of the internet and the web. Access to the online community was still mostly through dial-up BBS systems rather than through the internet. As knowledge of the web grew, interest in dial-up Bulletin Board Systems waned. They made a strategic decision to redirect their energies away from the BBS and to the web instead. Rather than compete with the large number of companies directing their energies to the general web audience, they focused on one particular area that interested us. That area was trains.
Steve rode in a passenger train for the very first time in September of 1995. Prior to that time, it never crossed his mind that it was possible to travel significant distances by train in the United States. He was sure he had heard Amtrak mentioned in the news from time to time, but never realized it was a national service nor thought it had any importance to his own life. Sometime in the early 1990's, some friends mentioned to him that they heard that it was possible to take long trips by train and that it was even possible to travel in your own private room on the train. That caught his interest. But, it was not until he heard an Amtrak radio commerical in 1995, that Steve decided to explore the possibility of taking a trip by train.
My children had a five day vacation from school coming up, so he decided to explore the possibility of taking an Amtrak trip during that vacation. It turned out that five days was not really enough time to go round-trip by train on the vacation they selected, from Los Angeles to Seattle. So, they flew to Seattle, spent a couple of days there, and then took the two day overnight trip on the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Seattle back to Los Angeles. From that moment, he fell in love with train travel and was hooked! Since that time, Steve traveled all over the country by Amtrak and logged over 300,000 miles of rail travel. Ray Burns and Shivam Surve, the other members of the TrainWeb team, have been on some of these travels with him and Ray developed a good working relationship with VIA Rail in Canada and has travelled on almost every route in their network.
So, that is why we selected "trains" when Steve and Ray decided to concentrate their web company into one specialization. Since their website would feature "trains on the web", they came up with the domain name TrainWeb.com in December 1996. They held a contest open to the public to come up with the best design for a logo for TrainWeb. Among many submissions were a few excellent logo designs from Ken Barrett who was an Amtrak Ticket Agent at the time. The logo used by TrainWeb today is from one of the designs submitted by Ken. TrainWeb continued to share office space with its parent company, Midcom Corporation, in Anaheim, California, until 1997. On September 1, 1997, they moved TrainWeb into the offices above the Amtrak ticket office in the Fullerton Santa Fe Depot in Fullerton, California.
In 2000, Midcom hired a new programmer who was waiting to be placed on assignment with one of Midcom's clients. Since he had an interest in trains, Midcom had him temporarily do some work for TrainWeb. Ray and Steve were immediately impressed with his programming and web design abilities and brought him full-time onto our staff. That is how Shivam Surve joined the TrainWeb team and became their key designer for new features and new websites at that time.
Over the years parents would often ask Steve and Ray where to find railroad themed party supplies. They turned to them after they were dissatisfied with the selection and availability of these items that were carried by regular party supply and department stores. The owners of TrainWeb decided to explore if a significant market might exist for railroad themed party supplies. Thus, they created TrainParty.com and their business started to grow exponentially from there! They had to move out of our small office above the Fullerton Amtrak ticket office where they had been located for almost ten years to just down the street to a storefront/warehouse, but still in Fullerton. In less than a year, they even outgrew that location and realized that they really needed to be in a much larger warehouse facility that was located centrally in the nation for faster and cheaper shipping to both coasts. Thus, Ray and Steve moved TrainWeb to La Plata, Missouri.
While Ray and Shivam moved to La Plata and set up the new TrainWeb.com/TrainParty.com building there, Steve and his wife remained in California where he continued work on TrainWeb.com from an office in his home. In December 2011, they moved to Vancouver, Washington, where their new home office overlooked the route of the Portland segment of the Amtrak Empire Builder on a very busy BNSF line.
My TripI drove to the Santa Ana station and parked in the north parking lot then inside, saw Marti, my excellent night-time Amtrak agent, to whom I gave my parking permit for my car's stay of over 72 hours. I then met Pat Moran, along with her friends Irene and Ruth, who had delivered Pat to the station for the journey to La Plata. Pat then exchanged her tickets so she could leave Los Angeles with me before we stopped by the car and I picked up my luggage then walked to the Santa Ana Boulevard grade crossing to reach the east platform without having to use the new bridge. About fifteen minutes later, a southbound Metrolink train for Irvine arrived before we heard the horn of our train.
Pacific Surfliner 583 12/7/2006
Pacific Surfliner 583 arrived with Pat and I choosing seats on the lower level in car 6400. This train had a consist of Pacific Surfliner cab car 6905, coaches 6400 and 6412, café/coach 6301, Pacific Business Class 6807 and F59PHI 462. It was a quick trip to Los Angeles, with the Southwest Chief preparing to reverse into the station just before we arrived and Pat and I walked from Track 10 down, under and up to Track 12.
Southwest Chief 4 12/7/2006
While Pat watched the luggage, I walked down to the front of the train, whose consist was P42DCs 165 and 141, baggage 1709, sleepers 32041, 32052 and 32090 "Michigan", diner 38008, lounge 33042, and coaches 24085 and 34047. George, the ever-smiling sleeping car attendant, would be with me in car 32090 and I had Room 4. Ken Ruben, riding coach, stopped by for a short visit then I listened to Nirvana's "Nevermind" for the first music of this trip. George gave Pat and I a 7:30 PM dinner reservation and later Pat came back for a visit; she was in Room 4 of sleeper 32052. We departed on time and made our way to Fullerton, our first fresh air break then as we departed, we were called into the diner and were seated with Pat from Fresno and Ken. I enjoyed the pork chop and a chocolate cake for dessert then walked through the train before our next fresh air stop at San Bernardino.
The San Bernardino station during the fresh air stop. I enjoyed the crossing of Cajon Pass from my darkened sleeping car room and after Summit, made up my room and called it a night.
12/8/2006 I arose after Canyon Diablo and walked forward to wake up Pat, but she was already preparing for the day ahead so met her in the dining car for breakfast, and were seated with Jon Hill from Topeka, Kansas. Pat learned last night at dinner, after I left, that the other Pat from Fresno was also named Patricia Jeanne, just like her. It certainly is a small world! I enjoyed French Toast and sausage links before joining the Train Travel Meetup Group members in the lounge car.
It was Dan Dalke's birthday today so I bought him an Amtrak hat and Amtrak playing cards for his special day. It turned out that something else would make this day even more special.
Tom Anderson, Ken Ruben and Pat Moran enjoying the view from the Sightseer Lounge Car this fine early December day as we entered New Mexico.
It was way too exciting for one member of our group. Ken was under the weather and fell asleep with his mouth open and this was too good of a picture to pass up so both Dan and I took pictures then a group of Japanese tourists did the same thing.
Ken missed the view of the New Mexico red mesas as he slept.
The landscape was always changing!
Dan Dalke passed his 275,000th rail mile at MP 72 of the BNSF Gallup Sub on December 8th, 2006. Dan took a picture of the spot while I photographed him. It is always nice to help someone else pass their own mileage marks.
Later we passed another mesa as we proceeded down Track 2 towards Rio Puerco. We arrived in Albuquerque thirty minutes early with Tom, Dan and I walking over to Coldstone Creamery for some ice cream then back at the station, we looked at the new New Mexico Rail Runner station.
New Mexico Rail Runner Train 507 arrived at the downtown Albuquerque station with MP36PH-3C 102 pulling it. When it was ready to pass the standing Southwest Chief, the conductor called "All Aboard!" to clear the platform so it could pass safely.
The train now dead-headed to its storage area until its next call. I reboarded the Chief and listened to the Rolling Stones' "Bridges to Babylon" before we departed on time.
One of my favourite rock formations, the Devil's Spine, near Lamy.
The remaining semaphores that I had not captured until now, which were the four that are just west of Lamy, after which I went to the lounge car for the climb through Apache Canyon and the meeting of the westbound Southwest Chief at Canyoncito. I returned to the room to obtain a dinner reservation for four at 5:45 PM, before going back to the lounge car for an afternoon of conversation.
Pat Moran and Ross Moore enjoying the lounge car later that afternoon.
Tom also was sitting at our table.
Dan was sitting at the other end of the lounge car reading his Trains magazine.
Chris was sitting at his coach seat eating a snack. It grew dark long before Raton, the next very cool fresh air break then after Raton, we were called into the dining car for dinner where I had the pork chop, Tom had the Angus burger, Dan the braised beef and Pat the cheese tortellini. I then enjoyed the sweet temptation chocolate Cake for dessert. Dinner ended at Trinidad and I returned to my room to relax and listen to Yes' "Drama". We arrived in La Junta thirty minutes early so Tom, Chris and I walked over to Safeway for more 7-UP and batteries.
Looking down the side of the train.
The Southwest Chief at rest.
The sleeping cars during our servicing stop. I returned to my room to chat with my neighbour, who has 250,000 rail miles himself, and talked trains as I made up my bed for the night. We departed La Junta on time and made our way east on this cold clear December night.
12/9/2006 I arose at 6:00 AM and prepared myself for the big day by putting on my long underwear and layers, before checking to see if Pat was up and about. We went to breakfast and were seated with Lori from Redondo Beach. I enjoyed the French Toast and sausage patties as the train refuelled in BNSF's Argentine Yard then arrived at Kansas City twenty minutes early and I was off to explore Kansas City Union Station once again.
A Christmas tree inside the station and outside.
Kansas City Union Station PCC car 1190, ex. Western Railway Museum 1190 1979-2006, exx. San Francisco Municipal Railway 1190 1973-1979, exxx. Toronto Transit Commission 4752 1957-1973, nee Kansas City Public Service 551, built by St. Louis Car Company now displayed outside at Kansas City Union Station.
Santa Fe business car 31 "Chico", ex. United States Railroad Administration 82, nee Santa Fe 31 built by Pullman Company in 1918.
Canadian National business car 1041 "Metis", ex. American Rail Excursions (John Tyson), 2004, exx. Historic Rails Travel Center (Ron Dyer) 1997, exxx. Jeff Hanley 1989, exxxx. Texas Tank Car Works (J.H. Green) 1981, exxxxx. Gravette Historical Museum 1 1978, exxxxxx. Canadian National business car 1014, nee Canadian National 7 compartment sleeper-buffet-lounge-observation 15104 built by Canadian Car and Foundry in 1928.
Back inside Union Station, I was greeted by a wonderful mural as I came up the escalator.
There was also a model railroad display
.
Display of trains in cases near the Amtrak ticket window before I returned trainside.
Lincoln Service 314 was boarding this morning before its run to St. Louis.
We departed Kansas City on time and we were ready for the final leg to La Plata.
I visited with Pat, Tom and Ross in the lounge car.
A passenger took this photograph so I could join the group.
We crossed the Missouri River as the December sun shone brightly.
Pat went back to her room to pack up while Tom, Dan and I rode the lounge car until past Carrollton, when we returned to our areas of the train to pack up and be ready to detrain in La Plata. We went past West La Plata, where we crossed over to the north track and I had moved my luggage downstairs before we arrived, so all I did was leave my room, go downstairs and wait to detrain. We arrived in on time and I stepped off the train here for the first time.
La Plata, Missouri 12/9/2006
The former Santa Fe station.
The sleeping cars pulled away so that the coach passengers could detrain. After the rest of our group detrained from the coaches, the Southwest Chief departed and we loaded the vans for the short trip to the Depot Inn and Suites. Once there in the lobby, I said hello to everyone before Carl Morrison let me store my luggage in his room, and what a room it was. He had the Sportsman Suite complete with sauna, in-wall television with a DVD player and a fireplace. The bed looked incredible and large bathroom would suit anyone's needs.We returned to the lobby and I explored, marvelling at the tastefully-done railroad theme of this hotel. We met with everyone before Steve and I went for a walk to catch up on a few things, after which Carl and I walked down to the bridge over the BNSF mainline to try to catch a few trains. We sat out there for about half an hour before Carl needed to return to the hotel and I watched people over at the future railfan viewing area. The funny thing about standing on this bridge is that everyone who drives by waves at you in a friendly way. I guess La Plata is a friendly place.
An Amish buggy crossed the bridge over the BNSF mainline.
A few minutes later was another Amish buggy. Buggies two, BNSF trains 0 at the bridge. Chris Parker walked back to the Depot Inn while Richard and I walked over to the new Trainweb building and went inside, but after a few minutes I felt as though a BNSF freight was about to come, so decided to take a few pictures of the La Plata station.
The La Plata Amtrak station from the north side of the BNSF mainline. It is a restored Art Deco style depot constructed of wood and brick. The original combination passenger and freight depot, built in 1887, was in need of replacement during World War II, but building materials were not readily available. In 1945, after a fire burned portions of the building, the interior and exterior were remodeled and modernized in the then-popular Art Deco style. The remodeling actually preserved the original building within the inner and outer layers.
The building declined gradually until 1996, when a coalition of the Friends for La Plata Preservation and the NEMO Model Railroad Club began renovating the exterior. Through volunteer labour and money from individual donations, this work was completed in 2001; the interior has also been gradually restored.
BNSF 4603 West came through La Plata, so I finally saw a train here.
The new Trainweb.com and Trainparty.com building with the BNSF mainline to the left.
There are two logos on this building, one for Trainweb.com and the other for Trainparty.com. This building was once a fertilizer plant which has been converted into offices and storage space. I went inside and saw a room full of invited guests and local people.
On the stand were Linda Mohn, Executive Director of the Macon Chamber of Commerce, holding the left side of the ribbon and Ray Ivy, Administrator for the City of La Plata, holding the right side. Standing with them were Alisa Kigar, Executive Director of the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce, Shivam Surve, with his daughter Khushi, Barbara Cepinko, Ray Burns and Steve Grande. Barbara, Steve, Ray and Shivam are all the partners of Trainweb.
First, Steve and Barbara were shown how to use the giant scissors.
Ready, set, cut!
The ribbon was cut and the Grand Opening started.
Harold Marshall, a preacher, gave the opening prayer.
Brock Hamilton, who works at the front desk of the Depot Inn, sang the National Anthem.
Larry Herron, the Mayor of La Plata, told about meeting Ray and Shivam and what the City of La Plata had to offer.
The crowd listened to what the Mayor was saying.
Kathy Chinn, a Missouri State Representative for the Greater La Plata area, spoke to our group.
Jeff Kocur, President of the Amtrak Historical Society from Chicago, gave a presentation about the future Amtrak museum here.
Alisa Kigar, Executive Director of the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Linda Mohn, Executive Director of the Macon Chamber of Commerce.
Ray Burns of Trainweb.com told us the story of how Trainweb and Trainparty moved from Fullerton to La Plata; a very interesting tale with all the twists and turns it took to get us here today.
John Rhein of the Friends for La Plata Preservation also attended.
Thomas Marshall of the Depot Inn and Suites told about the plan for the Rail Resort that was going to be built here, which includes a standard gauge train for trips around the property and also for trips between the Amtrak station and the Depot Inn.
Once the event was over, it gave me a chance to photograph Richard Hamilton hosting his Let's Talk Trains internet radio show before I was a guest.
The final event of the party was cutting the cake, which was decorated for Grand Opening, welcoming Trainweb to the Heartland. I enjoyed a piece of cake before going outside thinking that another BNSF train would be coming by shortly.
BNSF 5432 West then came through, passing the location where the former Wabash Railroad crossed over the Santa Fe. The new train watcher's tower will be built on the north side of the tracks on the former Wabash grade.
The view outside the Trainweb building looking towards the station. I returned inside where Chris Parker decided to take us into downtown to explore and we were joined by Jonathan Ortiz. We decided to see where the old Wabash line went through town and came upon a great find.
The Amish buggies that had been hitched up at a street corner.
This all was at the corner of Wabash and Sanders Streets We went back to Trainweb to pick up Carl Morrison and Richard Elgenson as the five of us would visit an Amish store about three miles west of town. We made our way out there, taking a side road through some very unique northeast Missouri countryside.
Out in front of the Amish store, another buggy pulled in and the owner went inside.
Horse and buggy hitched up to the post. We heard a train horn and decided to try for a picture.
We passed another Amish buggy as we drove toward the grade crossing.
It must have looked like a chaos to the train crew as we all piled out of the car when we stopped to photograph the train.
On the way to that train, we passed a field of cornstalks which we photographed on our return. This led to an impromptu snowball fight. I must say that being from Southern California, we all could use a lot of practice at the art of making and throwing snowballs. We heard another horn from the west and this time, made it back to the crossing.
After an eastbound BNSF train came flying through west La Plata, we decided to drive to Kirksville because Richard wanted to go to a pub there and along the way, we could see the former Wabash grade. Once in Kirksville, we found the Spazio Brewery and Pub and Carl and Richard went inside while Chris, Jonathan and I went looking for any signs of the Wabash.
On the north side, we found an old bridge over a highway. We returned to Spazio for some soft drinks and the waitress said that she had gone to school with a Chris Guenzler in Missouri. It is a small world!
Spazio Brewery and Pub in Kirksville.
Carl Morrison, Richard Elgenson, Chris Parker and Jonathan Ortiz were all enjoying the Pub. We returned to the Depot Inn and relaxed before walking to the Red Rooster.
The Red Rooster Restaurant which on the other side of the Bank of La Plata, two doors down from the Depot Inn and Suites.
Our group waiting for dinner. Those of us leaving on Amtrak were served first.
Shivam Surve and wife Kranti along with their baby daughter Khushiy. I enjoyed a Kansas City steak, baked potato and cottage cheese, which was all excellent. All too soon, it was announced that those of us going back to the train needed to return to the Inn to get their luggage.
On the way back to the Depot Inn & Suites at 7:50 PM, it was a brisk 42 degrees.
A nighttime view of the hotel.
The Depot Inn and Suites sign.
The front counter.
A train between the lobby and the indoor pool. Carl and I went to his room where I called home and picked up my luggage then returned outside and boarded the van that Ray Burns was driving to the Amtrak station. On the way, I could not believe that I was already leaving La Plata, but I really was!
