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I must confess I purchased this CD only because it was a new John Denver CD. And I am a big fan of his work. I was not enthusiastic about an album full of trains songs. Now a CD full of songs about the sea...that would have gotten my interest! Oh well, saddly that will never be...I guess I'll have to record that myself! :)

Back to the task at hand. When I got home and played it, boy was I impressed! This is a great CD. Forget that it's a Childrens CD. If you like John's style of music, and even if you don't have children, or if they're all grown up and moved away, buy this CD!

During the 1980's and early 90's John was trying to recapture his early success by putting out material that had songs reflecting diverse musical genres. One of his last studio albums, "Different Directions," is a prime example of that effort. But this is the CD where he was successful in achieving that aim.

There are old fashioned swing, big band, folk, gospel, styles of music flawlessly woven into a theme of train songs. The medly "Freight Train Boogie/Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" will have your toes tapping. Most artists, when they try and step out of their musical style and try to broaden their perspective, often come off as cheesy and artificial. John Doesn't on this CD. One of the best tracks is the acapella "Linging Track" an old spiritual that was more than likely sung by slaves as they laid down the rails. Curtis Mayfield's song "People Get Ready" has never sounded better. "Steel Rails" is my personal favorite on this CD, and it is also great to have a decent version by John of "City of New Orleans" (unlike the version that appears on Aerie).

John won a Grammy posthumously for this in the category best Childrens Album. That is bitter sweet. Yes, John deserved it for this work. But it was sad to know he was not here to enjoy it, and it was also sad because John was so often discounted and maligned. Not only is that unfair, it is also undeserved. Maybe its vindication of sorts because he truly was a talented soulful, artist. Buy this CD you will not be disapointed.

Although recorded with children in mind, this album may well have more appeal to older people. In today's world, children's experience of trains is limited, especially in America. This is acknowledged in one of the songs on this album, Daddy what's a train, a song written by Utah Philips in 1973.

The album opens with Jenny dreamed of trains, a cover of a song written by Vince Gill and Guy Clark in the nineties. Most of the songs are of a much older vintage, including covers of Waiting for a train (Jimmie Rodgers), On the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (originally a hit for Judy Garland), People get ready (Curtis Mayfield) and the often-recorded City of New Orleans, a song that John first recorded for his Aerie album in the early seventies. The version here is a new recording. Steel rails is a song that I first came across on an Alison Krauss album, but it dates from 1973.

The only song that is strictly for the children is The little engine that could - a song which subtly tries to teach them something about helping others and doing your best.

There are a few lesser known gems here, too, like Last train done gone down (a cover of a Peter Rowan song) and Lining track (one of Leadbelly's more obscure songs). If you like train songs will enjoy this collection, whatever age you are.

When I initially selected this CD, I was attracted to the subject matter of trains -- something I thought my daughter might enjoy. I was totally unprepared for beautiful bluegrass arrangements, the vivid imagery of the lyrics, and the historical significance of many of the songs. My daughter dearly loves this CD and so do I. Bring this along on your next car ride and you'll be transported away to the wide open spaces of America.

I bought this CD, originally, for my nephew, who loves trains. I ended up getting a copy for myself.

What a terrific bunch of songs! I love a "children's" album that can be enjoyed by both children and adults--and this one can. John sings in his 'normal voice--' not the sickening, cloying tone so often heard in children's music, which makes for an album that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

He deserved that Grammy...

I bought this album for my son because of the train songs and also because he has always enjoyed John Denver (he is now 6). We never get tired of this album! It has been with us on so many trips and both of my kids listen to it in the house too, we LOVE it! All the songs are different styles of music and all are excellent. This one is a desert island pick. John Denver deserved the award he received for it, too bad he did not live to see it. We miss him...

I really like this collection. Calling it a "children's album" isn't really fair to it. There are several selections that will mean more to adults than to their kids. Throughout, John is in good voice and good humor. My favorites are "Daddy, What's a Train" and "The Little Engine That Could." These two items alone were worth what I paid for this. John suffered in his career from excessive early fame, and then undeserved obscurity. He had a drinking problem and made some mistakes, but this CD was not one of them. It serves as a reminder of his talent and idealism at its least pretentious and most winning. If you are a JD fan, you need to have this effort in your collection. If you like trains, buy it. If you have kids that like folk-style songs and are eight or older, buy it as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this great presentation of railroad songs by John Denver. It really hit home with me as I grew up in the era of the great trains and several of the songs spoke directly to that period of time, as well as, the sadness of their passing. He chose a wonderful selection of songs of different varities that appeal to people of all ages. In my humble opinion, this cd is a treasure to own.

john's last visit to the recording studio produced this wounderful tribute to the heritage of railroads and what an important part they played in the legacy of America.He saw the importance they played in the importance of perserving the past as well as seeing and working toward a better tomarrow.Do yourself and your family the favor of buying this CD.I promise you it is worth the Grammy it received.

This CD deserves accolaides. I love trains and my only reservation is that he didn't write any of the songs. As a teenager, I commuted to school from Connecticut to New York by train. Later I collected all the Hallmark train Christmas ornaments. The kids of today don't know trains the way few of us can appreciate riding horses for transportation. Who says this has to be for kids.

A fan of John Denver since I was a teenager I happened upon this site one afternoon, and after listening to the sampler of songs I decideed to buy it. Thats not all, until my divorce a few years ago I had collected over the years all his albums, but unfortuantely they didnot survive the seperation. Well by the time the day was done I had replaced each one of albums, my credit card melted from the heat. I am happy to say though I have my collection back and then some. This album while considered a children album captures the style that John Denver had in those early years. My personal favorites are Jenney Dreams Of Trains, Daddy whats a train and Steel Rails while not orginally his songs reminded me of why I loved his style of music so much. Sad that he is still not with us but his music has left such an impact on our lives that I know it will be around long after I am gone. Also try Higher Ground I thought it was JD at his utmost best recharged and revitalized.