Grew up with the Rock Island's Chicago - Council Bluffs mainline in my back yard and was just old enough to see it in it's last decade of existence. Still live a 1/2 mile away from what is now CSX / Iowa Interstate. Also a big fan of IC, GM&O, MILW, & CB&Q. I've always preferred taking the back roads to get anywhere and enjoy hunting for abandoned roadbeds and RR bridges and structures along the way. Work for the City of Ottawa IL. in the water department and have been a volunteer firefighter/engineer for the Marseilles Fire Protection District since 1993.   

                                       Ron