Very much into railroads all my life (only wish there had been digital cameras around when I was growing up).  I served many years in the military, starting in '81 with the 82nd Airborne Infantry.  Over the years I changed MOS (jobs) and became qualified in many different military skills (one of which was 88U - Railroad Conductor).  Many of my later years serving was with the Reserves.  I also worked a short time with Sperry Rail Service (testing rails for defects).

Many of my "hobbies" are railroad related; I am working on recreating the railroads in my area (south-central MN) as they used to be in the 1900's.  I have owned most all types of train simulators since they have came out. Most of my current projects are using Trainz and Train Dispatcher.  I also monitor the local railroads with a scanner and ATCS Monitor (one of their monitoring systems is located at my home).  I also try to photograph the trains whenever I can as they pass through this area. I have been "mapping" the local area on Wikimapia for many years now, and have tried to include as much railroad related items that I can.

I have worked with Dakota City Pioneer Village in the Dakota County Fairgrounds.  They have many old buildings from the surrounding communities and they teach groups how life used to be like in the 1900's.  I used to blacksmith there a whole lot, and worked at the depot and railroad items.