Since I was a young kid, trains have always fascinated me.

I don’t know what it was about them, but they always made me smile when I thought of them.

Maybe it was the locomotive motion that they make on the rails, or the steady rhythmic sound they make when they careen down the tracks.

In fact, my grandfather owned an oak flooring business in Guin, Ala., for many, many years.

Trains would run through and carry his thinly-cut oak strips to various places around the country and the world, even.

Growing up, we’d visit my grandfather quite often and we’d visit Fayette’s city park a lot.

At the park, a big caboose — train cabin — stood, waiting for me to let my imagination run wild.

That was many years ago as you can probably guess.

My excitement for trains perked up once again when I learned the the city of Atmore will be welcoming an Amtrak Inspection Train tomorrow afternoon.

This has been in the works for a couple months now and it could be a big thing for the city, if it comes to fruition.

Through the couple times I’ve talked with Jerry Gehman, the city’s representative on the Southern Rail Commission, he’s stressed that each scenario for Amtrak to bring service back to Atmore is a good one.

Tomorrow afternoon, I really don’t know what’s going to happen, but I urge residents and those living in the area to come and welcome the inspection train.

About a quarter mile down the train station, there is a long wooden platform for folks to stand and pay welcome to the train.

Let’s pack it to the brim and show the dignitaries on the train that we want an Amtrak service to return to Atmore.

The train is expected to arrive at exactly 2:31 p.m. and leave 10 minutes later.

While the train is at the station, be observant and think about what could be coming to Atmore, because this is a big deal.