Why I'm a lucky railfan

[arkansasrailfan]

My school is right by the Union Pacific mainline in Little Rock, AR, and I see almost every train that goes by, but when you see the Malvern local going by two times a day, it's torture!!  I've seen the Katy and MoPac units several times, and both 2002 Olympic units several times(the Olympic units, I haven't seen in a while). I've calculated that i have seen close to 2,000 trains. But I never get tired of it.

[PBenham]

BUT-- How are your grades? Mine would have been even worse than they were without having that sort of distraction. Mind you, I could be distracted by a lot in those days.

[arkansasrailfan]

Well they are good, but down in Arkansas, a train usually comes every 10 minutes, and I haven't flunked a grade for the past two years( that means As and Bs!) I'm crazy about trains, but even that  doesn't interfere with my schoolwork that much. At least I don't go to school by the UP triple track in Nebraska, so I'm good, only that I get teased a little bit, and it is annoying.

[PBenham]

Cheez--I was lucky to get Bs let alone As. More than likely I'd have been hard pressed to get Cs (D's for that matter) with a busy rail line in view.

[arkansasrailfan]

I saw two SP units pulling a train yesterday and The GP40-2 was patched, but the GP60 was untouched and it's number is 9675(somthing like that) I also saw a SD40-2 that had name spelled out in the nose and the herald on the cab. Someone in my railroad club saw it too and got a photo of it.I only drew picture of it, since I can't have my camera with me at school( I want to be a success) 

[kevikens]

If you can, Lucky, get a camera and take some pictures of what you are watching. Years from now those pictures will be priceless. Like you I attended an elementary school right next to a rail line, B&O and the Reading. Still some steam back then and first generation diesel, but I never thought to take any pictures and boy am I sorry about that. Tell your teacher that you are engaged in historical preservation and are archiving this rail technology for the future. It might work and get you out of class for a while and maybe you can talk your teacher into giving you some more A's as part of a project.

[coalminer3]

I know what you mean.  The Boston and Maine ran in a cut behind our middle school; lots of maroon and gold Alcos, geeps, etc.  It helped to break up the monotony of the day. BTW, the line is now a bike path.

Thanks for sharing

[arkansasrailfan]

I can't take my camera because it might get stolen, my parents won't let me, and I don't have time or a good spot, because I might get I dentention.It's just too bad, but I'll have the memories . at my school there are no exuses for class. (too bad, i wish it could happen, taking pictures, but I will when i'm 16)

[PBenham]

Obviously, you do not attend a public school, where virtually anything goes! Which is a shame.. to the wonderful world of idiots in charge!

[rrboomer]

When I was a junior in high school at New Haven, IN, I had a World History class right after lunch with a BORING teacher who talked in a monotone. Fortunately it was on the top floor where I could watch the NKP arriving and leaving East Wayne Yard (east end), kept me awake and I managed a D+.

[arkansasrailfan]

At my school, all the teacher are cheery, except the 7th and 8th grade science teacher, but they're out of sight of the railroad. the only thing I missed was UP 4141.:-(

[KCSfan]

The reason I'm a lucky railfan is that I grew up when steam was the standard and a diesel powered train was the rare exception.

Mark

[kevikens]

For heavens sake get a a $7 throw away camera you can put in your pocket and won't likely get stolen or even if it is it's no great loss. Take my word for it your memories will fade and your memories will be of little use to yet unborn generations of rail fans. Trust me on this. Any pictures you take now will be treasures in 50 years.