We’d like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. Our wish for all of you is that 2012 is that special year you’ve all be waiting for. Here’s to family, friendship, love, health and good music. We hope to see all of you again in 2012 as we continue our railroad adventures.

Here’s some photos gathered between Oakland and New Orleans on the first RRT, the Big Easy Express:

(photos by Myles Pettengill III, Timothy Norris, Jody Orsborn)

We finally made it to the finish line with the Luca posters! The Luca posters are arriving in Austin in batches right now, and the poster/ticket “bundles” will start shipping next week!

Recordings are being mixed right now. There’ll be multiple tracks from each band for each of the RRT shows and a few surprises too.

RRT online store is in the works. Should be more details on this very soon!

Have a great weekend!

“We came by rails, brothers and sisters, and we come to rock”- Ketch Secur of Old Crow Medicine Show

Here’s an inside look at what our lives were like on the Railroad Revival train, which carried over 120 people from Oakland to New Orleans. The train was 1,328 feet long and made up of 14 antique cars and 2 locomotives, including sleeper cars, meal cars and storage cars. For you train buffs out there, the 2 locomotives were the AMTK 134 and the AMTK 1. The private antique cars were the Colorado Pine, Birch Grove, Silver Quail, Pacific Union, Pacific Sands, Colonial Crafts, Pony Express, Gordon Zimmerman, Silver Splendor, Keystone Grill, Silver Lariat, Palm Leaf, Silver Rapids and the Silver Solarium.

Upon arriving at the train, you were given an official Railroad Revival boarding pass to come aboard.

You were then directed to your car and wandered through until you found your name on the door. I, for instance, was staying in the Silver Rapids car, Roomette 3. The Roomette consisted of a chair, a stool and a fold down single bed, that once opened, literally took up the entire cabin.

Other rooms had bunk beds or double beds. There was even a car that consisted solely of bunk beds (no rooms), like on a tour bus or submarine.

Inside of my Roomette, there was a door, mirror, a couple of shelves and a working folding sink with potable water. Down the hall, there was a toilet and a fully functioning shower.

The sleeper cars were really quiet, located at the front and the back of the train, with most of the action happening towards the middle of the train in the party and dining cars. The video above shows what it was like waking up on that first morning coming from Oakland to San Pedro. Everything was silent on the train except for the sounds of the car and the railroad tracks outside.

A typical day would go something like this. After waking up, we would take a shower and head to the center of the train, where there were two kitchens, a cafeteria-style serving area and a dining car.

Passengers would eat the first-rate food, cooked by one of the chefs from Lambert’s BBQ in Austin, in one of the dining cars. Daniel Northcutt of another Austin restaurant, Frank, supplied the Tito’s bacon-infused Bloody Marys or Sangria for our breakfast drink.

After breakfast, we would move into one of the other various hangout cars. I would normally move into the Silver Splendor, which was one of the few cars equipped with wireless that became the headquarters of the film and media crews. This is where I spent most mornings, sorting through photos and getting blogs ready to post for you (and waiting for that 2 minute stretch where the internet would actually work!).

Sometimes, I would wander up to the dome above.

Or over to The Silver Lariat, which proved quite a popular spot as well.

Once work was done, everyone would congregate into one of the music rooms, usually the Pony Express or the Colonial Crafts car, with all of the gear up for grabs for anyone to play.

They would play right up until we’d pull into the venue, which was usually around 3-5 p.m. depending.

Fans and train lovers would greet the train all along the tracks.

A group of musicians would usually congregate in the giant window of the Pony Express and put on a bit of show for the fans as we arrived.

Once at the venue, we’d disembark, play the show, and then get right back on for a midnight departure. The first stop back on the train for passengers was always the dining car for a late night snack of tasty Cup Cups, courtesy of Vavine Tahapehi.

Cup Cups became an addiction for the passengers, when around midnight, folks would start banging on whatever tables were nearby and chanting “Cup Cup, Cup Cup” (this even happened on our two days off of the train where there were no Cup Cups insight). The delicious delicacies, which are basically little meals baked in bread in a muffin pan, had flavors ranging from French Toast Cup Cups to The Dave, a prosciutto Cup Cup filled with mushroom, basil, gruyère cheese and a baked egg.

After the Cup Cup rush was over, we’d head into the Pony Express, where train staff like the wonderful William would supply us with drinks and the bands would play into the early hours of the morning. We’d eventually retire and begin the whole process over again. Life aboard the Railroad Revival train was a good life, indeed.

Stewart Cole (ESMZ) shows off his signed poster/ Jade Castrinos (ECMZ) hands out paintings

“When The Saints Go Marching In,” led by Mumford and Son’s trumpet section, broke out in the Pony Express car as we rolled into New Orleans. Onboard, it felt like the last day of camp, with everyone signing each others posters and the lovely Jade Castrinos, of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, handing out paintings she had made for everyone aboard the train.

Arriving at the venue

We pulled up to the venue and said goodbye to the railroad cars that had been our home for the past week. But as the lyrics to Edward Sharpe’s “Home” says, “Home is wherever I’m with you.” And even off the train, the passengers had become one big revival family, entering the trip as individuals and emerging as the Railroad Revival Tour.

My Graveyard Jaw busking outfront/ Official Railroad Revival Cake

The wind was blowing hot and humid at the venue, which was situated at a park right along the banks of the mighty Mississippi and there was even talk of a downpour heading our way.

Alex Ebert (ECMS) and Christian Letts (ECMS) working out parts with the brass band

The rain never came and we were lucky to enjoy the entire show, from My Graveyard Jaw busking at the entrance and Edward Sharpe bringing out a brass band to the grand finale at the end, without a hitch.

Mumford and Sons getting ready of their set

Afterwards, the crew headed over to One Eyed Jacks to celebrate the tour with a cake baked by fans Robin (from Boston) and Emma (from New Orleans). Though some of us got to taste the bourbon-soaked deliciousness, the majority of the cake ended up on the crew after Mumford and Son’s Winston Marshall decided it would be best on the head of Fieron Santos, the tour’s production manager.

Morgan Jahnig (OCMS) doing some backstage mandolin-ing before going onstage with Mumford and Sons

A couple of strip teases later by band members who shall remain unnamed and we headed over to the Apple Barrel around 2 a.m. Reminiscent of The Elephant Room jazz club in Austin, we once again took over the stage of an unsuspecting club for a rousing version of “Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)” that ended with the entire crew marching out of the club and into the middle of the street for a party that lasted well into the early hours of the morning. We then kissed, hugged and said our adieus as the Railroad Revival Tour officially reached the end of the line.

Afterparty in the street

We rolled into Austin, Texas Monday afternoon and, save for the Mumford boys who had to rush over to film an episode of Austin City Limits, settled into our hotel rooms and prepped to enjoy the day off. It was our first night off the train since we began, and though we were all a bit grateful to be able to take a shower without fear of being hurtled out of it, we all seemed to have caught the ol’ ramblin’ railway fever. Folks longed for cup cups (the midnight treats we are given on the train) and to be lulled to sleep by that lonesome railroad whistle.

But without our baby to go back to, the majority of the train’s passengers found themselves at Frank Restaurant in downtown Austin for some cocktails and hot dogs before heading over to the basement jazz club, the Elephant Room. The spot came highly recommended by Austin resident and Mumford and Sons trumpet player Ephraim Owens and it didn’t take long for our group to take over the stage for a rendition of Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue”. The jam featured Mumford players Ted Dwane, Ephraim Owens, Nick Etwell and Dave as well as Edward Sharpe’s Josh Collazo on drums.

The next morning, the group headed over to Barton Springs Pool where folks swam, sunbathed and were treated to an impromptu concert/sing-a-long led by Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe.

Back at the venue, Shakey Graves was holding down the fort with his particular blend of foot stomping busking blues and getting the crowd ready and raring for the show. The bands were, once again, absolutely incredible with each night’s performance getting tighter and tighter and the feeling of love and camaraderie that has developed on the train really coming through in their live interactions.

As each city gets a little something special, Austin was treated to the sweet sounds of the Austin High School Marching band who joined Mumford and Sons for their song, “The Cave”. I would be lying if I said that the performance, as well as the crazy sunset/cloud formation during Edward Sharpe, didn’t bring a tear or two to my eye. Simply powerful stuff.

After the show, we went back for what would be our last evening together on the train. The Colonial Crafts car hosted a traditional bluegrass jam led by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. The Pony Express held an epic rock out with Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane of Mumford and Sons, Cory Younts and Willie Watson of Old Crow Medicine Show and Nico Aglietti of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. In other compartments, folks were looking out the windows, enjoying the view as the cars rounded the bend just one last time. As the sun began to rise, a hush came over the train as the reality of the end of the tour began to sink in. One last show. One last hour on the train. One last time all of the bands are together (for now at least). You can bet they are going to make the most of it and put on one epic show for you tonight. See you soon, New Orleans.

Ketch Secor (OCMS) and Amelia blowing eggs

Sunday, we rolled into Texas for the first of two shows in the Lone Star state. When I awoke, Easter celebrations were in full swing on the train. In the dining car, there was egg decorating with Ketch Secor from Old Crow Medicine Show teaching 7-year-old Amelia how to blow the yoke out of an egg.

Marcus Mumford reading during the Easter service

Then, we headed down to the Pony Express where Ketch’s father organized an Easter service for all those aboard who wanted to participate. With Willie Watson of Old Crow Medicine Show leading hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “This Little Light of Mine” and Ketch, Marcus Mumford and members of the film crew doing the readings, you can bet that this is one Easter that few are soon to forget.

Railcar Jam

As we approached our destination, the train got held up by the state police due to some routing issues, but after a quick call to the Marfa mayor, all was cleared up and we continued our journey onwards into Marfa, Texas: population 2,121 (we literally doubled the size of the population in one night). We were greeted by fans all along the tracks, who were treated to an impromptu Easter-themed jam session out the train door courtesy of some of the Edward Sharpe and Old Crow boys.

Orpheo McCord (ESMZ) swinging Amelia in the hammock — Nick Etwell (M+S)

After a bit of exploring, we made our way into the festival area, which was definitely the most unique spot we’ve been to, complete with Airstreams, countless cowboy hats and other Texas touches. Backstage, it felt like a family bbq, with folks hanging out in hammocks, eating fried chicken and preparing for the show ahead.

Ted Dwane (M+S) and his broken bass

After playing some pretty cold nights, the sun and heat in Tempe and Marfa were a welcome change, though it did give Ted Dwane of Mumford and Sons some trouble when halfway through his set he declared that the “Texas sun is melting my bass”! He actually had to switch out and use Old Crow’s bass for a couple of songs until his could be repaired.

Pete Roe (Laura Marling’s band), Kevin Hayes (OCMS) and Winston Marshall (M+S)

Though this was the smallest show of the tour, the crowd’s energy was contagious, leading Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons to say that Marfa was “Marfalous” and helping to inspire what can only be described as one insanely epic finale that consisted of just about every member of every band (plus a few extra, like Toms shoes founder Blake Mycoskie) going absolutely wild. Seriously, when was the last time your saw three banjos rocking out on stage?

The Finale

We are now enjoying a day off in Austin, Texas, save the Mumford boys who are taping an episode of Austin City Limits tonight, and are fixin’ to head out for some more of that good ol’ Texas BBQ. See you mañana, Austin!

Willie Watson (OCMS), Cory Younts (OCMS), Winston Marshall (M+S), Ben Lovett (M+S), Gill Landry (OCMS)

We are officially halfway into the tour, but time doesn’t matter much on the train, with the long desert expanses stretching out before us and the jam sessions, fueled by Maker’s Mark, running until sunrise and beyond. In fact, I haven’t even looked at a clock since I arrived on the tour, with the only thing marking the passing of time being a dinner bell (or to be exact, a xylophone) that rings out at the start of each meal. No, we are on train time now, and it feels mighty refreshing to take a break from the hustle of every day life and just ride the rails.

Ben Lovett (M+S) and Willie Watson (OCMS) in the Pony Express

As we moved into Arizona yesterday, the Pony Express car was once again the place to be, with Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons and Willie Watson of Old Crow Medicine Show holding court. Once the train pulled up to the venue, the music transferred to the backstage area with Mumford and Sons’ Winston Marshall taking the lead for a pre-dinner sing-a-long of Blink 182′s “All The Small Things” among various other tunes.

Alex Ebert (ESMZ) and Marcus Mumford (M+S)

Others opted to explore Tempe, where I found members of Mumford and Sons picking up reading material from an old bookstore while Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros played soccer and Marcus Mumford threw around the ol’ pig skin.

The Dusty Buskers

The show, which was the largest to date, went off without a hitch. The Dusty Buskers greeted attendees at the main entrance while the bands prepared for the night ahead backstage.

Marcus Mumford (M+A) prepping the setlist

The audience was once again absolutely incredible (thank you Tempe!) and the tour was left on such a complete high that as the train pulled away, a dance party broke out in the Pony Express to the sweet sounds of “La Bamba”, “Twist and Shout” and “What I’d Say”. Marfa, look out! This train is bound for glory and it’s a-heading your way.