My new best buddy is...

[Kathi Kube]

Randy Stahl!!!

In addition to being oh, so very helpful and entertaining here, he's also a super guy who showed my husband, daughter and me around WC's Fond du Lac yard Sunday evening. Where to begin?

Well, first, major insane thanks to Randy! (And please feel free to correct me or fill in any of my blanks. Twenty-four hours later my head is still spinning from it all!)

When we arrived around 5 p.m., he was fueling up two locomotives for their runs. One was WC, and the other was NS. (Funny seeing that power around here. Randy says they get them now and then, but it still surprises me.) For as massive as those fuel tanks are, they sure fill up fast. Randy told me just how fast, but I don't remember. And the diesel fuel is pink. Never would have guessed that. Jim (husband), Jenni (18-year-old daughter) and I are guessing that's from antifreeze and detergents?

We rode along as Randy pulled them out and lined them up, then as he put one of them on the turntable and back onto a different track. (Pause for the cause here: Although I've been writing about railroading for five years, I've only been in a freight yard once before and that was a CN yard in Montreal. I don't think that really counts, though. I did get to move the locomotive by remote control, but the whole cab was full of suits and there wasn't another piece of equipment as far as the frozen-March eye could see. VERY SAFE to let the newbie play with the controls. Being in an active freight yard was a first, as was seeing a turntable, let alone being taken for a ride on one. These were just the first few "firsts" of that day.)

So anyway, I got to see the insides of cabs for several kinds of locomotives. If I hadn't been so jaw-dropping awed by it all, I might have remembered their numbers -- or at least their models. But, alas. I was blown away and can't give you many details there. I do know the NS locomotive was funky. And someone along the line enjoyed doodling here and there. Someone drew a comet; Randy said that had to be sarcastic because this particular locomotive was NOT noted for being very fast.

He also showed me which switches to turn and let me turn the engine off. COOL!!! And I set the handbrake. OK. I've been lifting weights for a few years, but that baby was tough. My darling husband gave me an assist.

A little while later, Randy was standing beside me and guided me as I turned it on again. ALSO VERY COOL! Boy, that baby hummed. Mmmmmmmmm.

I think it was about this time that we needed to move one of the SD45s (this one I remember) farther out. Randy talked with his buddies so we all knew they were clear and set the switches (yes, to confine me to safe territory), and let me move that beautiful machine back and forth. Oh, my God! That was so cool, I've barely been able to concentrate all day![:D][:D]

I have enormous respect for all railroaders and appreciate how hard you all work. But today, folks, Randy is the railroad god.[bow][bow][bow]

Put 'er in forward or reverse, release the brakes, slide 'er into notch 1. Oh, my God, it's MOVING!!! OK, now stop. SLide it over. It stopped! And I didn't hit anything or compel people to fall into walls! (Granted, it was going pretty slow, but with me at the controls, it coulda happened.) Then I put her in reverse and backed up toward the roundhouse. Wait. How far? You sure that other locomotive's on the other track? Yeah, I know I can see it is, but can you ever REALLY be too sure? Randy also showed me how to kinda play with the brake a little to stop ever so gently. Put 'er back into forward, release the brake, notch 1; and when you get going, put the throttle back down. Now stop at that flag. I can do this! Easy, easy, little brake, now ease up on the brake, a little more, ease up again, oooooooooooooooo... That'll do! The chick rocks. I backed up a locomotive and didn't hit anything, then eased 'er into place and stopped her without sending anyone flying into the cab walls.[:D]

Remember a few years ago they had a show on TV called "Dinosaurs," and the baby dinosaur would go flying into the wall or something, then just say, "Again!" Well, baby, Again, again, again. Can I run the locomotive again?????? I can hardly think of anything else. How on earth do you engineers get accustomed to this enough to just do it and not be totally awed each time you climb into the cab? If I didn't love writing and editing so much already, and have a wonderful home life that wouldn't be very conducive to such a radical change, I'd very seriously consider railroading. As it is, I'm thinking mighty seriously about how far away East Troy is to hang out there. Do you know Randy ran his first locomotive when he was 12? I'm so not worthy.[bow][bow][bow]

Anyway, back to my day in Fondy. After I recovered my composure enough to breathe again, we left my engine and went over to another that needed to be moved. (I know: CN thinks it belongs to them; the WC guys see that paint scheme and know in their hearts it belongs to WC. But me? For the rest of my life that's going to be my locomotive. Um, as soon as Randy reminds me what number it was. I was so blown away by the experience I forgot to look. I feel like such a ***. And now, back to our story ... again.

So this other locomotive had to be moved, and Randy let me start the engine again. Unfortunately, he wasn't standing right next to me and I guess I over-revved it? Is that like flooding the engine? Whatever I did, Randy had to reset a switch (was that a kill switch? Or something else?) on the other side and my daughter pointed out a large, black cloud of smoke I created. (See? The possibility of sending people flying into walls doesn't seem quite so outrageous, now, does it?)

Well, Randy-god-railroader started it right up moved it. Then we went over to the turntable and he had his buddy (I forgot his name, too. Sorry!![:I]) pull this other locomotive onto the turntable and we stood in the control booth with Randy while he spun 'er around. That's just as cool as being in the engine when she goes around.

After all this, Randy took us into the roundhouse (another first for me). The oldest part was built in 1905, I think he said? Dark red brick and seriously beautiful. The next oldest part was built in the early 1940s. Not quite as beautiful, but I was awed by the timing. This was still primarily in the steam era. Just knowing this yard and roundhouse used to be filled with steam engines gave me plenty to ponder. And he showed us the spot on the roundhouse wall where the bricks were replaced. (See his thread about exactly how that locomotive ended up behind the building.) Note to self: If Randy ever repairs something and I'm the next one to touch it, make darn sure I know what it's going to do!

I grabbed my camera and took just a few shots, which I hope to find a way to post somewhere. 'Nother note to self: Next time bring a whole lot more film!!!

About this time, it was getting late and we had friends who were waiting for us at their home, so we got ready to take off. But not before my new best buddy hooked me up with a track chart, CN rules book, and an official WC hardhat. (Yeah, it's actually the one my husband was wearing, so it's really his but it's in my office.

Overall, we had a fantastic time. I really can't wait to go back and learn even more. Now that I've got these materials to study I expect I'll be flooding people with questions.

Gotta run. But major thanks to Randy and the guys in Fondy for extreme hospitality toward my family and me. And Randy, thanks again SO much for letting me do all those cool things. CN's got to keep you there for a while longer, man.

Thanks again, and have a lovely night, all!

Kathi

[tree68]

I'd ask if anyone else would like the opportunity to enjoy Kathi's experience, but with the exception of our "real railroader" friends, the response would be pretty much unanimous....

I WANNA DO THAT!!!!!!!!!

[Randy Stahl]

Glad you had a good time. It's nice to show someone with a genuine interest around the
railroad.
The other fellows are Kevin Dempsey & Mitch Rickaby
Randy

[Anonymous]

Kathi-

The diesel fuel is pink, not because of any detergent or anti-freeze, but actually for tax reasons. Diesel fuel is colored pink because it is off road diesel fuel and is not subject to highway taxes. Helps catch certain pirate truckers or others who had been known to use off road diesel in their rigs. The dye is harmless and does not affect the fuel in any material way.

LC

[Anonymous]

Glad you enjoyed your tour of "our"(WC) yard, Kathy.[:D]

Years ago, I was allowed access to the yard anytime Fran Wiener was around. We would prowl the servicing area, snapping pictures of anything that struck our fancy. Then we'd sit in the offices of the roundhouse/diesel house for hours and watch slides that Fran had shot over the years.[:D]
After his death in 1990, the SW-1 assigned to Shops duty was named for him. Several of my friends have operated "that old beast."[;)]
North Fond du Lac has "Pride Days" and in years past, the WC would open the Shops for tours, and have a re-painted diesel and several freight cars on display. All that ended after the CN takeover...
Kevin Dempsey--drives a black Ford 4x4, right? Yep, know him, too....[}:)][8D]

[Anonymous]

Some people get to have ALL the fun. [;)] [:p] [:D]

Jim is jealous. [:0] [B)] [}:)] [;)]

<Jim must plan a trip to Fondy [;)] >

[edblysard]

And you thought we did this just for the pay.....

Ed[:D]

[JoeKoh]

Kathi
Glad you got the Red carpet tour.
thanks for sharing.
stay safe
Joe

[Modelcar]

...The excitement was obvious for Kathi...Of her recall I was kinda surprised of the mention of turntable use. Thought they had been fazed out and not actually used anymore for diesel operations. But then I suppose where facilities [round houses], are really still being used they are necessary to attain entry / exit to various stalls. I've been picturing diesel service areas as more normal large buildings not as the historic round house designs....

[Willy2]

Glad you had fun! I wish I could do that... maybe someday in the future.

[cherokee woman]

Kathi, I am SO JEALOUS!! But am very glad that you had such a great time!!
Just wish I could have been there,

[Kathi Kube]

I hope everyone can have that kind of experience someday.

By the way, Randy called and reminded me that my locomotive is WC No. 7501--and the 3003, too. So if you happen to see these burgundy and gold beauties out there, they're mine. 'K?

Later! (Gotta get back to working on the October issue or you won't have it to read in a few weeks!)

Kathi

[Anonymous]

Hey Kathi,
If you want to see your locomotives, here are some links from RailPictures.
WC SD45 7501: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=3658
WC GP40 3003: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=53591

[adrianspeeder]

You da man Randy...

Adrianspeeder

[espeefoamer]

WOW!!! You really scored big time on that one!!!
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