Credit where credit is due!

[edblysard]

[:D]I appreicate all the compliments and kind remarks, so...

Let's look at the rest of the regular crew here.

We have the Mookie, who has the nerve to ask about yellow thingies.

Nora, who is going to be one of the lady conductors for NS.

Mudchicken, smart and friendly engineer of many things, always willing to explain the mechanics of how and why railroads build things the way they do.

We got firefighters and EMTs, Locomutt and his trusty sidekick Cherokee woman, Larry, (tree) some cops, Eric, a few lawyers, Gabe, and even a Navy fighter jock, DanH...currently held prisioner in California.

At least two Aussies, Kozzie and Peter, Andrew and Kevin in Canada, Adrianspeeder in college, Jim H in Arkansas, who makes plain planes extraordinary.

There is Mark H, who brings all the skills and knowledge that made him a excellent editor at Trains magazine to this forum, and Erik B, who keeps us in line.
Kathi K, who is turning into a "real" train junkie!

Kevin Prince and Mr Jenkins in the UK, and for a time there, Oliver Trzok in the Ukraines.

Talk about a world wide pool of knowledge!

We have LC, who has been everything from an attorney to a conductor, to a engineer, and he dosnt mind sharing his knowledge on how to run a motor.

Zardoz, who just might be the unoffical historian for the CNW, and can tell you why they do things the way they do.

N Stephenson, new conductor, who is letting all of us in on how it feels to be learning this stuff form scratch.

We got JoeK, and his son Matt, who probaly have seen every locomotive that passed through their town, twice, and has at least one photo of each.
Ask him, and he will send you some totally cool photos.

I know I am leaving out quite a few others, but the point is...

Where else can you hear, first hand, from a Navy flyer on how they land planes on carriers?

Or why ballast and ties and spikes can hold up all that weight, and keep it from moving?

Need to know what diesel is in what locomotive?
Ask Peter.

Need to know what makes the engines run the way they do, ask Mark H and Randy Stahl.

Walt and Paula will explain why EMTS and firefighters love their job, as will Tree68, Larry can make it sound real and in your face.

Although Mookie plays it fluffy at times, her questions serve a purpose, it keeps us focused on why we are here.

There are current and former Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force members, and at least one former Coast Guard member.

We even have a froum member who designed a tank car model that I would be willing to bet quite a few of you just bought....and his other job, well, lets say we all own him a big, big thank you.

We are all here, because something about trains attracts us, we either work with them, or on them, or just like hearing and watching them work.

And some of us are here, just because we like the company!

Thats one of the reason I stick around...

And all the people I mentioned above, and all those I forgot, are willing to share not only their love of trains, but their knowledge of life, what they do, besides watching trains.

Where else can you find such a tremendous pool of knowledge on so many different subjects?

I can say with certainty that many of us have found friends here, who share some other common interest, other than trains, and email each other on a regular basis.

So, while I thank you for you kind and generous comments, I think each and every one of you guys should stand up and take a bow!

Its you guys who make this place fun, every one of you has, in some way, contributed to this forum, and made it the interesting and enjoyable place it is.

I got eight years in pounding rocks, and hope I can work in another 15 at it.

Plan on sharing them with you, and hope I can keep reading all of your posting and comments for at least that long!

Ed[:D]

[Anonymous]

I hold up my mug at the "kids" table and say CHEERS!!! [swg]

[Anonymous]

I have only posted in these forums for a short time. To all those mentioned above and those who are not, thanks for the informative answers and also the entertaining ones too. I am a novice in the trainwatching and how railroads work. Keep up the good work everyone and to all have a happy holidays.[:)]

[adrianspeeder]

Can a brother get an amen?

Adrianspeeder

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Can a brother get an amen?

Adrianspeeder

Amen Adrianspeeder[:D]

[Nora]

That was a great post and I only have one little correction...

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


Nora, who is going to be one of the lady conductors for NS.

Not quite. I don't know what happened with that, but I never got the call. Instead, they called me on Friday for a yard driver/clerk position that I interviewed for back at the start of November. Went in today for another background check and physical and I imagine I'll be starting in a few weeks. As I understand it, I'll start off working on call for any shift, driving people around the yard.

Yes, I'm disappointed that I didn't get the other one, but this is something, and it has a few good points of its own too.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Can a brother get an amen?

Adrianspeeder

Ah, saaaaaid A-men brothah...

LC

[Kozzie]

Ed, your comments are appreciated. This Forum does provide more than just knowledge from everyone's posts, but also people's personal experiences, their sense of humour and insights.

I appreciate the welcome I have received and the genuine expressions that mean a terrible lot to me.

Thank you again Ed, especially for keeping in touch with me personally, and thanks to everyone on the Forum for their help, advice and insight.

Dave

[edblysard]

Nora,
Keep knocking on the door, some one will answer, you just cant give it one try....

Keep pestering them till they give up and give you another chance...

Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

That was a great post and I only have one little correction...

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


Nora, who is going to be one of the lady conductors for NS.

Not quite. I don't know what happened with that, but I never got the call. Instead, they called me on Friday for a yard driver/clerk position that I interviewed for back at the start of November. Went in today for another background check and physical and I imagine I'll be starting in a few weeks. As I understand it, I'll start off working on call for any shift, driving people around the yard.

Yes, I'm disappointed that I didn't get the other one, but this is something, and it has a few good points of its own too.

Something tells me that you will be the best driver clerk that NS has and make them wonder why they did not start you higher.

[Junctionfan]

Squeaky wheel.... as they say. I'm trying to get a job right now but they won't call me so I keep talking to them and self advertising myself and how close I live to the business etc. Eventually they will have to get me a job or get a restraining order; either way I'll get some attention.

[Mookie]

Ah Ed! When others explain things in terms I don't understand, you always come through with an explanation I can understand. And you always hunt around for a picture to help the explanation. I may have never understood needle bearings and seen traction motors had it not been for you! I raise a glass of milk to you, sir!

Just don't expect chocolate cake!

Mookie

[JoeKoh]

Ed
whatever csx runs through the town Matt and i will be sure to check it out.Mookie your either trying a new mud pack or the chocolate craving kitty has struck again.
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

That was a great post and I only have one little correction...

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


Nora, who is going to be one of the lady conductors for NS.

Not quite. I don't know what happened with that, but I never got the call. Instead, they called me on Friday for a yard driver/clerk position that I interviewed for back at the start of November. Went in today for another background check and physical and I imagine I'll be starting in a few weeks. As I understand it, I'll start off working on call for any shift, driving people around the yard.

Yes, I'm disappointed that I didn't get the other one, but this is something, and it has a few good points of its own too.

Nora-

Sounds pretty good to me. What does the clerk portion of the work entail?

LC

[Anonymous]

Ed-

Well said. As usual...

LC

[Nora]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Nora-

Sounds pretty good to me. What does the clerk portion of the work entail?

LC

You know, I'm not really sure. They really didn't get into the description of that too much; they concentrated more on the yard jitney driver stuff since that's what the job starts out as. They did say that we could move up to positions like clerk in the diesel shop, etc., but I don't really know the details. Someone also said intermodal clerk was a possibility; that wouldn't be at Conway, though. I guess I'll have to update after I start the job -- things might become a lot clearer then.

[techguy57]

Ed- Couldn't have said it better myself. This is by far the most educational and entertaining forum I've been to and always a highlight of my day. Kudos to all the folks at Kalmbach, Trains magazine, and everyone who contributes to this forum. Keep it coming.

Mike

[Anonymous]

I agree completely, There is also a touch of class that seems to go with this forum.

[Kathi Kube]

You dear forum members really are wonderful, and make this forum what it is. It's great being involved in this delightfully eclectic collection of people who share a simple pleasure. Thanks to all of you for making it what it is.

Kathi

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

You dear forum members really are wonderful, and make this forum what it is. It's great being involved in this delightfully eclectic collection of people who share a simple pleasure. Thanks to all of you for making it what it is.

Kathi

Thanks Kathi....I've never heard a more eloquent way of saying...."thanks alot you bunch of freaks, nuts and whack jobs" [;)]

[edblysard]

Hey,
We resemble that remark![:D]

[cherokee woman]

Well, the old saying goes, " It takes all kinds to make up this crazy
world we live in"!! But that's what makes these forums interesting!!!!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Nora-

Sounds pretty good to me. What does the clerk portion of the work entail?

LC

You know, I'm not really sure. They really didn't get into the description of that too much; they concentrated more on the yard jitney driver stuff since that's what the job starts out as. They did say that we could move up to positions like clerk in the diesel shop, etc., but I don't really know the details. Someone also said intermodal clerk was a possibility; that wouldn't be at Conway, though. I guess I'll have to update after I start the job -- things might become a lot clearer then.

Sounds good. Establish seniority as a clerk and keep looking at T&E if that is what you want. You'll be moving up the roster and earning Railroad Retirement credit while you wait for the "right" opportunity. You might decide you like the clerk job better or move into dispatching or yardmastering even.

LC

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Hey,
We resemble that remark![:D]

That we do, that we do...

[jeaton]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon


Thanks Kathi....I've never heard a more eloquent way of saying...."thanks alot you bunch of freaks, nuts and whack jobs" [;)]

Is two out of three OK?[%-)]

Jay

[Anonymous]

Kathi: these freaks, As one of those nuts and whack jobs who love trains, good discussions and membership in a great cross section of what's important to know and speaking only for myself, we are pleased to have you as our moderator.

[Anonymous]

My dad took me and my brother to watch trains when we were young. I am now 31 and married with a son. People who do not grow up with trainwatching do not understand why we do watch trains and why it fascinates us when we are older. I just think it is cool to know there are people like all of us out there in this place called Earth who love trains and trainwatching like I do. Thanks Ed and everyone who reminds me that I am not alone in the love for trains and all that it encompasses.[tup]