Pool Reports from Obama's Saturday Train Trip

Slow roll through Bryn Mawr: Crowds lining either side of the track. Sen Obama and Sen Casey crammed onto the small observation balconey with three cameramen. Through a mike Obama shouts, "great to see you", "how are you doing?," "thankyou so much for coming out," etc etc eliciting almost-Beatlemania-esque screams from many of the younger women standing on the platform. He also introduces Casey, who has only a waving role and who later jokes: "Boy that's a tough job I've got out there". As we're rolling out, there's a brief moment of worry as another train approaches, blowing its whistle while some of the Obama supporters are still standing on the track. "Get off the track guys, there's a train coming," Obama warns twice. They eventually comply.
At the next slow-roll through Wayne, Obama ends the brief pass-through with: "The train is leaving the station - I need your help." Obama asks a few young boys which grade they're in, "sixth," they reply. "tell your teacher I say hi," he said. "This is fun," he says, turning back into the carriage. Brief details about the Georgia Railroad carriage: It's upholstered, plush, and has a kitchen, two living room areas and a small bedroom. It contains memorabilia from the days when it was in regular use, such as silver ashtrays (unused) and a framed poem on the wall: Here's the four, interestingly worded, lines of the 20-line poem that I had time to jot down: "Shove her in the washroom, All clear track, Train starting to Lively, Down on all Fours."

EVENT: Slow Roll through Parkesburg Rail Station

This time Senator Obama remembered to pull the whistle in what was the third and final slow-roll of the day. Although probably the most sparse of the three, the Parkesburg crowd was still boisterous. Most were chanting "O Ba Ma" in unison. "Get on board the change train," said Obama. Then he pulled the whistle twice.

Edward Luce,
Washington Bureau Chief, Financial Times.