Tom's Story: A Residual Ghostly Train Whistle!

Energy is a funny thing. When something happens enough and when so many people are attached to it, their energy can help create an energy "thumbprint." Basically, residual energy. That's energy left behind that is generated by a living thing's emotions - and when people are attached to something so much, like the whistle of a train, it can linger.
   Although we don't often think of non-living things as being able to leave behind energy, they do -and it's because of the emotional energy we attach to them. Such is the case in this story from a man named Tom, who experienced a Ghostly train whistle as a kid, and learned why!  - Rob

Credit: http://shadow-of-nemo.deviantart.com/art/Ghost-train-342880648

The Ghostly Train Whistle 

When my sister and I were growing up, we would spend the summer months with my maternal grandparents who lived in the Tidewater/Northern Neck region of Virginia.  My grandfather would do odd jobs for local landowners in the area to make extra money.  One of these was a guy named Mr. Berry.  Mr. Berry was extremely wealthy and owned a lot of land which my grandfather was hired to "bushhog" with a mower attachment hitched to the back of his tractor.  When my grandfather would meet with these individuals to discuss what work needed to be done, I would often tag along.  

On one of Mr. Berry's properties, there was this ravine that cut across the property.  Once you climb down into the ravine, the narrow strip of land was flat and continued in both directions as far as you could see.  The ravine was protected on both sides by brush and the trees formed a canopy overhead shading out the hot summer sun. 
 

Satellite view shows where the railroad track was located. Credit: Google Maps

On this particular visit, I wandered away from my grandfather and Mr. Berry, climbed down into the ravine, and stood very quietly.  A spell was cast, and I heard the distinct sound of leaves rustling and the faintest sound of a train whistle off in the distance.  The magic lasted for only a few short seconds, and was interrupted by my grandfather calling my name, "Tommy!"  I climbed back out of the ravine and ran to catch up to my grandfather and Mr. Berry. 

Later that day, I asked my grandfather about the ravine.  He told me that it was the remnants of the old railroad that ran between Richmond and the ammunition factory at Dahlgren during the Civil War.  I still have memories of that day...such a cool experience.

 

Here's a link to the abandoned railroad line that ran through Mr. Berry's property.

http://abandonedrailroads.homestead.com/va_dahlgren_lab_usn.html

Here's a link to what became of Mr. Berry's property:

http://www.westmorelandberryfarm.com/index.php?route=common/home