I have always enjoyed travel by train. Often on my trips I have taken photographs, and this book is a review of some of the best trips and photographs I have taken over the years.



Fortunately, I grew up before steam locomotives had gone, and a love of steam has stayed with me my whole life. I was too young or too far away to photograph the end of steam in the United States, but this book does contain pictures of some of the tourist trains or special excursions that were steam powered that in later years I was able to enjoy.



There are photographs of Amtrak trips to Florida and California, railroading in Minnesota, California, and Colorado and an emphasis on Maine where I spend my summers. The back door of my cottage at Moosehead Lake is just 20 yards from the former Canadian Pacific right of way.



Why "Casual Railfan"? I fear this book will disappoint the dedicated railfan, as I have never been interested in the details: how many engines of a type produced, when, how they were numbered, and so on, all important minutiae of the serious fan - although, if you look closely, you might find a detail or two.



Just enjoy the photos.