In 1877, the first steam train huffed and hissed its way through the city of Martinez, carrying freight and passengers, including Gov. Leland Stanford. Since then, residents throughout the city have become used to hearing the train whistle blow many times a day.
Though the noise of the whistle can drive those living nearby to distraction. The occasional traffic tie-up at the Ferry Street crossing can be frustrating for those trying to get in and out of Waterfront Park. But for the most part Martinez residents love the trains. They represent a solid link to a rich and vital past.
There are many train tales in Martinez, many stories from many eras of the city. Too many to list here. But if you close your eyes and listen to the whistle in the distance, you can perhaps hear the echo of those stories as they whisper their way through the streets and alleys and rafters. Shadow tales that might shed a little light in the darker corners of your own life.
What are your train experiences in Martinez? Tell us in the comments.
