Most of us will never make the exclusive club

[FJ and G]

Not that it's that important, anyway.

It is the unofficial "brotherhood of railroaders."

I first found out about the club back in 1996 after retiring the year before from the Marine Corps (another type of fraternity of brothers). I was living in Little Rock, Arkansas at the time and ran into a Missouri Pacific (then UP) retired engineer named Eddie Joe Williams.

He had lots of railroad stories to tell that would entertain you for hours. I told him a bit about my model RR experience and picture taking in the 1960s and 70s and he always politely listened.

Then one day, he met another retired engineer while I was present. The two immediately hit it off in a way I never could. You could sense the immediate bonding and the lingo and camaraderie flowed.

Some of that experience undoubtedly was derived from the inherent dangers of the job and the long and sometimes brutal working conditions that they endured and sometimes thrived in.

I could only sit and listen spellbound as they conversed. I didn't even bring up my scratchbuilding endeavors or operating a Big Boy that they were too young to operate, albeit a 1:48.

It's a club I'm afraid I'll never make.

[Anonymous]

Hello Dave: Your right about the Brotherhood's, You could meet up with a marine from WW2 & the two of you guys will exchange greeting's like you have known him all of your life. Same as me with theI.B.E.W. brother's. I clicked into to this at a young age when my Dad started talking to a fellow at a beach for about an hour, I asked who it was and he replied, " I don't know but he was in the air force". I guess we are part of CTT International forum Brotherhood. Have A Great Day Bro. Steve

[IRONROOSTER]

I think for any endeavor to which you have devoted a substantial part of your life you will find a bond to others who have done likewise. Medical people talk medical, Army people talk army, Computer people talk computers, Model Railroaders talke model railroad, etc.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

ur a big tart its not a big deal move on with u life stop being so sad move on its not the end of the world u r just being a big tart

[ben10ben]

I seem to recall Mark Twain saying something to this effect in his wonderful classic Life on the Mississippi. The great genius in his infinite wisdom said that when a bunch of pilots get together, all they can talk about is the river, and nothing else. Two pilots who had never met before could discuss the river for hours, talking about one particular low water season or what boats they had served on, or any other topic. I think that the same thing could be said about many areas, railroading being one of the as you so eloquently put it.

[Anonymous]

You probably will meet many people who have had life experiences that you may not. I humbly suggest that you ask them what it is really like to do that kind of work.

I have had people who never ever will touch a 18 wheeler stand near wanting to toot the horn or perhaps take a ride in one. I try to work with them and perhaps tell answers to questions like "Dont you ever get tired with all that driving?"

There is one great club we are all in> Life. If we can participate and learn things from each other I think it will be the greatest for everyone.

[FJ and G]

some nice replies.

one nice thing about modeling railroads, is that it is fun, not work. A derailment or drinking on the job will not generally result in mayhem and injuries

i can be the engineer, dispatcher, trackworker and owner of the company and run any darned tootin thing I like; even if it doesn't make revenue; steam locomotives, passenger trains etc

I'm a big railfan; heck I ride trains every day as a passenger on VRE, but when I really want to relax and have fun, I can disappear into my own world; just like some folks disappear into a good novel

and furthermore, I am in an exclusive club of like-minded folks who have created their own little worlds that they share every day

be in a real RR exclusive club?

might be nice, but I'll take model trains any day!

[Anonymous]

I guess I belong in this club, having worked for NS and CSX and now a shortline. I will say that while it is great to be able to sit down and talk railroading with other railroaders it is also unfortunately is about all we have. Due to the lifestyle we lead we don't have much else to talk about. Most of use don't get to see the games on Sundays or the hot new TV show on Thursday night. So, you can consider your options....living a normal happy life or an abnormal life. If you asked me though, I wouldn't trade jobs with you:)