By admin 
WAXHAW, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – In an era of trains, planes, and automobiles, David Carriker hangs onto the rail of nostalgia.
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“This town was built on the premise of the railroad coming [to Waxhaw],” Carriker told Queen City News.
At the historic Waxhaw Overhead Bridge, he’s known as the “train man.”
“Train’s in about 15 more minutes,” he informs folks on the bridge.
“I see the light on the train above!” a boy said.
“You can almost see [my son] tense up from excitement every time he sees it,” says Petro Andriyashchuk of Monroe.
Like life, trains come at you fast. At this landmark, they roll right beneath your feet.
“This is the only pedestrian bridge over the tracks where people can wave to the crew, so they look forward to seeing us,” Carriker said.
They often bring a whole lot of coal. No matter what the cargo, onlookers find it exhilarating.
“All the wind comes up, and all the noise comes up, and it’s a big rush,” says Vickie Schaffer of Mineral Springs.
Carriker comes out to admire some 1600 trains a year. He posts videos on his Facebook page Waxhaw Railroading, which includes followers from all over the world.
He’s joined by railfans like Austin Plattenberger of Wesley Chapel, who’s locked in.
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“Just seeing the train, the lights coming from a distance,” Austin’s dad John said.
“Every train’s different; they’re just like teenagers,” says Carriker, who used to work for Amtrak and has written many books about railroad history.
“There’s so much of it that’s gone now we need to express it to generations that don’t know about things like steam engines,” Carriker said.
“Yeah, [the train is] getting definitely closer,” Baker Mauldin says with excitement.
It is a majestic sight that can be more powerful than a locomotive.
“I just think it brings a piece of history,” said Meghan Hannum of Waxhaw.
“34.25 million pounds,” Carriker says as coal-filled cars go by. “They must be building a coal mountain down at the beach.”
When trains arrive, the bridge connects generations.
“It kind of leaves you speechless,” Andriyashchuk says.
“Oh man, it’s fantastic,” says Patrick Mauldin of Waxhaw.
Carriker is the engineer who helps make sure folks of all ages are all aboard for the spectacle.
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“It’s just rewarding to see that,” Carriker says.
“It’s amazing how many carts there are and how much coal is in each cart,” said Anna Mauldin.
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“It’s 98!” her brother Baker marvels. “98 cars, 98!”