Train of thought: Obama, the new Lincoln of US

Two million people have gathered in Washington D.C. for the inaugural celebration, though the actual swearing-in can accomodate only 2,40,000 people. That's two-and-a-half lakh people for just the swearing-in. But it all started a couple of days ago, when Barack Obama and family traced the historic journey by America's greatest president Abraham Lincoln by train.

“Let's make sure this election is not the end of what we do to change America, but just the beginning,” Obama said.

From Philadelphia, the train slowed down in Claymont, Delaware, where crowds cheered as he waved from the last car.

Then a stop in Wilmington to pick up his vice-president Joe Biden and wife Jill. And throughout his journey Obama spoke of his dream for America.

“Now it falls to us to ensure that everyone in this country can make it if they try. Now it falls to us to pick ourselves up, to reach for the promise of a better day and to work hard every single day, together to perfect our union once more,” Obama said.

Obama's journey, the ' whistle stop tour' is the most popular way for presidents-elect to reach out and stay connected. But when it is Obama, it is all about being different.

He chose to retrace the path Abaraham Lincoln took on his inaugural trip to Washington over a century-and-a-half ago. But Obama's journey was more symbolic.

Lincoln covered more than 2,500 kilometers while Obama was much shorter – only 220 kilometers. Lincoln took a 12-day journey across the length and breadth of the country whereas Obama's was just a one-day journey with only two stops.

The journey onboard the 80-year-old Georgia 300, now renamed the 'Obama Express', has more parallels to Lincoln than just the route. After his journey, Lincoln went ahead and abolished slavery, sparking off the American Civil War, Obama too even before his journey has started is policies against some equally tough challenges.