Trackside Lounge: 3Q 2010

Thanks, Paul, it sounds a heck of a lot better than "washed-up railroad guy", doncha think?

As someone else has pointed out to me, I seem to have gotten through the transition (so far) without having the feeling of worthlessness or boredom that some people may be afflicted with.  Things are getting done here, and our backyard looks better than it has in decades (that wasn't a "honey-do" thing; it's just stuff that had been neglected for too long, all getting done quickly).

Trip to Proviso went smoothly, but never goes quite the way one expects.  I didn't see nearly enough trains, but did see the new retiree, as well as about six old coots who came back from the past to help pull him out of there.  The hump leads all have new rail and ties now, and the old North Rip is completely gone--it will be replaced, though, with fresh rail and far better drainage.  I got to Elmhurst in both directions, bumping the trip up to 23.5 miles.  It didn't pay off in the sightings department, though.

Now I've gotten back home, where my wife and five new magazines (including the Trains 70th anniversary issue) were waiting for me.  If it weren't for the nature of the sightings I got and the letter I got with other good freight car stuff, I'd be curled up with that issue right now, falling asleep in the recliner...

 {Carl}....I got to Elmhurst in both directions, bumping the trip up to 23.5 miles.  It didn't pay off in the sightings department, though.

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That is a pretty good figure for one ride Carl....Back in my bike riding days {back a ways}, I would do about 10 mi. here in the neighborhood, and figured that was plenty.  Never did any real long distance rides on our Trail either.

By the way, it has been extended some more now....I believe the total now is near 50 mi.  Better get down this way some time and give that a try.  Believe just a short distance to be worked yet to be continous to Richmond, In...That is southeast of us.  The Cardinal Greenway Trail.