Roll TIDE!
Good mornin', bucket of coffee please 'n thank-you...
TODD: Loving Wife did the same thing: dug herself out, never woke me, even though I offered multiple times. Your "home remedy" sounds a lot like my old lemonade and Jack Daniels elixr. Now I turn to OJ and Southern Comfort In fact, my favorite uncle sent a little Christmas cash for the sole purpose of acquiring some SoCo. He said it would "ward off all sickness and other evils." Good man!
JOE: Not to beat a dead horse (no...I've NEVER done THAT....), your buddy will learn, one way or another, for himself. It sucks to watch it happen, but it's about all you can do. He'll survive and wonder what the h. e. double hockeysticks he was ever thinking. I just hope he doesn't catch any "social media" in the meantime...if she's as...."prolific," as I think she is.
JEFF: About them brakes... I'm not a mechanic, don't even play one on TV...but I do agree 100% with your assessment: one more thing to play havoc with the finances. Seems everytime Loving Wife and I get a few bucks (very few) ahead, something comes along to snatch 'em up; dumping us right back into the hole. Maybe that nephew of yours can find time in his not-so-busy day to deal with your master cylinder?? Putting a boot to his rear may not be an option for you at the moment...but a 2 x 4 works too!
Welp, speaking of finances...time to get busy earning mine...THAT will be expecting some content tomorrow.
Chris
EDIT: Brunch, late breakfast, and/or early lunch is on me...
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe a short stack of Buckwheat Pancakes with NYS Maple Syrup would hit the spot this morning. Don't forget my Cup of dark roast java in a R&GV Mug please and thank you! I'll go sit in the back booth and try to get warm.
Looks like today will be another day full of odds and ends that have to get done. Have to make a bank run, go grab some groceries, get some foam ready to take with me to the meet for a raffle, hopefully finish up a couple models and possibly make a "load" for one of them so I can enter it in the model contest, help a lady who can't seem to get her new laptop to save files for email correctly (not exactly computer literate....), and several other things as well.
Started this post over an hour ago...... Interuptions already seem to be the norm for today.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Good morning...Its snowing with about 5 inches and lots of blowing..Temp is 16...I'll have coffee and a dougnut please...thank you...Gonna take my coffee over in corner and see who comes in....you all have a good one...Jerry
Chris, I'm glad to see a fellow Alabama fan on here! Thought I might have been the only one. Well y'all its just before time for me to head off to do the w**k thing, I think I'll swing through for a bite to eat. I'll take a RBF, hot ham and cheese sammich and some cheesy bacon fries. Guess I might as well wolf this down then shoot myself off to sell some auto parts and help people.
Bama .... I have a neice attending U of Alabama. I know who she roots for.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
This Afternoon: Snow. High near 29. Southwest wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Tonight: Snow. Low around 23. Calm wind becoming west between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Friday: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 23. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 14 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible. Friday Night: Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 15. Wind chill values as low as -1. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 18 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
I live in the primary snow belt and they have a warning that by Friday afternoon we may have 17+ on the ground. Already told the boss I may take leave if the weather is really bad. I see this storm is merging with the rain from the Gulf coast right before hitting my house, I guess I need to warm up the rotary plow for the layout.
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Garry, what's her major, I did a double major with English and History, both were excellent programs. I've been thinking about going back to get a masters, but finances haven't allowed for that at the time being.
BamaCSX83And it'll be funny to see what Texas can do against Terrance Cody, they've already said that they're going to have to double-team him the whole game.....
Nyaaaaah, that's only because they have to have so many guys on the field and there's not enough for all of them to do.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
I did some sharp stops this morning as well as some long slow stops but the brake problem wouldn't come out to play. Everything worked normally. Thought about fixing it myself but it's a lot easier to pay someone else to do it. It has anti-lock brakes and that particular model is a mother to bleed. Went to the pharmacy and got refills on six of my prescriptions then went to Wal-Mart and got some salad dressing so I can have salad tonight and i got a gallon of anti-freeze for the car. I'll put that in later after the radiator has cooled down some.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
jeffrey-wimberlyThought about fixing it myself but it's a lot easier to pay someone else to do it. It has anti-lock brakes and that particular model is a mother to bleed
Hi Gang: I'm still hanging around. Been real busy with the ranch and other things. Mary Ann is doing well and I'm feeling good too.
I haven't done any Mrring lately. There is just too many things that need doing. I have been cleaning out the accumulated junk around the place. I sold $120 worth of steel scrap and almost $700 worth of lead that I had piled up. Would you believe that I still have a bunch of lead left? The money from the junk is going for an antique pull behind road grader that I found down south of here. It needs some TLC but is in usuable condition as is. I like old machinery and this can be a great help in maintaining the miles of roads on our two places.
Well duty calls again.
You all take care now.
Good afternoon gents, a hot chocolate with cream please. Finally hit 32 today but very little melting with early January sun at 72 degrees north latitude. No MRR yet today, the doggone kitchen corner base cabinet bi-folding hinge broke and we spent 4 hours trying to locate a replacement. The place where we bought the cabinets just went OOB. We called around several companies that carry Schrock cabinets before we finally found a hinge company that could help us. We found the exact hinge and ordered 2, one for replacement and one for spare. If the last one lasted 15 years, I will have 30 years of use, lets see, that would make me 101 years old.
MID WEST GUYS: That is one mean storm, I hope you don't lose power !!
JEFF: Can you pump the brake petal up, or does it just keep going low with no pump up?
LEE: Ahhh, you have some Branchline kits, they will keep you busy, lots of detail in those kits!
My thoughts and prayers to any of you guys in the St. Louis area who may have known any of those killed or in critical conditions due to that power plant worker who went postal today.
KA1VEI "73"
Sir MadogSawyer - Rugby is certainly one tough n´ rough a game - watch out for yourself not get some of your bones broken. I now what I am taking about ...
Sawyer - Rugby is certainly one tough n´ rough a game - watch out for yourself not get some of your bones broken. I now what I am taking about ...
lol, I will watch out for myself man. Ain't broken anything in a long time, and I'd enjoy keeping my streak going, lol.
projected high today was 35; it's 49 right now. there is a chance of snow tonight, so tomorrow either school will be delayed or shut down. Hopefully just delayed, because if it's shut down we have to make it up (idk what happened to snow days).also have rugby tonight; will be wearing the same basic clothes I wore tuesday, lol.
John, that is one cute beagle puppy man!
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
grayfox1119JEFF: Can you pump the brake petal up, or does it just keep going low with no pump up?
Afternoon all. Chloe, I'll have the regular, thanks.
I'll be in the back booth doing a crapload of homework. I'll catch up later.
My Model Railroad: Tri State RailMy Photos on Flickr: FlickrMy Videos on Youtube: YoutubeMy Photos on RRPA: RR Picture Archives
Cowboy beans, grilled chicken & veggies, please.
Wrote a long post earlier and found myself somehow signed out. So this is just a quick stop to say, Howdy Folks. Hope everyone is doing well.
It's snowing here and will continue into the wee hours. Then an arctic blast hits. Spent the day preparing the farm for Mother Nature's little slap across the face.
Tomorrow is our chosen day for taking down the Christmas tree.
Rob ps: was a bit of a walk finding the new Diner. Could have used a Speeder.
Taken this afternoon as the snowstorm dies down in Central Indiana
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/IMG_1017.jpg
*quietly walks into the diner and posts a pic with a small note*
saying* " I'm busy layin track, argh~" "I'm around here reading but busy .. I'm fine~ Just thought I'd leave a note."
Good evenin', Chloe? another bucket of coffee please 'n thank-you, oh and with a double cheeseburger basket.
Welp, Loving Wife made it in to w**k this morning after "enjoying" an hour-and-a-half commute. The trip normally takes about 45 minutes. She left early...took nearly 2 hours to get back. The State Patrol declared the route "travel not advised" just before she got home. Winter in Iowa...ya gotta hate it just a little.
I found a link to an online scanner, letting me listen to Cedar Rapids PD/Fire/EMS, snow plows, State Patrol, Linn County Sheriff, Linn County Fire, Johnson County Sheriff/Fire, and another one or two entities as well. Fender benders and rollovers all over the place. Most minor, a couple serious. It amazes me how people STILL either haven't learned how to drive in this crap... or just choose not to apply "common sense." Makes me glad I w**k from home as much as I do! AND THAT Loving Wife can, on occassion, "tele-commute." Her boss started out as a blithering idiot...has gotten better over time, and now has a "safety first" policy where she'd rather have someone leave early (or stay home) than end up in the ditch or worse.
Good grief. I heard a snow plow go in the ditch about 3 hours ago...they're still trying to pull him out.
KEITH: Interesting pic you tacked-up...THATs a lot of tracks you've got going on there. Refresh my memory, please, just what all the switches/tracks are for??? I've been wondering where you've been lately.
BAMA CSX: I wouldn't say I'm a "huge" fan of The TIDE...but given the opportunity to root for 'em, I do. There's a history and tradition there...I admire THAT.
Now I've got "Sweet Home Alabama" and Steely Dan's "Deacon Blues" playing in my head...
"...They call Alabama the Crimson Tide...call me Deacon Blues..."
Speaking of THAT, I've gotten a little w**k done for her today... I'm battling a very anti-climactic meeting, which went on for over 2-1/2 hours...and accomplished nothing. Yet, she expects a compelling piece of content from it. I can get her the 700-800 words she wants...but this one won't be an award-winner. THAT won't like that. As it is, I'm hoping "facetime" tomorrow can be handled via e-mail or one of her 20 minutes (to say 10 minutes of stuff) phone calls. The wind hasn't really cranked up here yet...once it does, the plows will have a losing battle (as-if they haven't already) on their hands.
Hmmmmmmm. I'd best go hammer out a few more paragraphs. Rerun and I will plow through the s**w later for an evening snack...
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Evening all. Zoe, can I please get a RBF?
Just finished a bunch of homework, so I'm gonna slide over to the RC to catch up and chat.
Chris... " KEITH: Interesting pic you tacked-up...THATs a lot of tracks you've got going on there. Refresh my memory, please, just what all the switches/tracks are for??? I've been wondering where you've been lately." Lol... My glorious attempt at a working 'Liner Yard' .. oh yeah.. lots of liners .. lol. Quick throw a net over this guy..I know~. I want to have lots of yard space.. can't you tell? .. Actually, there's a good chance I've been going at this all wrong. Woot! lol, Maybe tomorrow or the day after I'll have some pics to show.. but I've gotten some fancy stuff going on there. We'll see if it works. Electrofrogs here and there and separate lines... in the yard.. from the very long yard lead.
But to refresh your memory would be also to refresh mine.. as well as Der John's memory. I'm not sure on the sizes.. Peco's verses Atlas. I was planning on using the Atlas .. which I believe were number 4's.. that Der John confused with the Peco's.. which were smaller..and also a different number... in the mean time.. I had switched to the Peco's.. which were the size of the Atlas' 8.. so anyways.. get the picture..~?
But these are mostly Peco streamliner's the long ones to help with moving and sorting liners.. in a very small space, with hopes of less derailment. So they are almost placed end to end. I tried to include everything possible for the given amount of space .. including re-railers, and curved turnouts. Also keeping in mind what would I need to have a working yard.
What amazes me most.. is the cost of something like this. I would guess, to do track in this staging area is a minimum of $200 dollars and on its way to doublling that amount. Yikes.
jeffrey-wimberly LSWrrTrue, but I would hope they speed matched the RAM with the FSB Ah ha. I see what you're getting at. The number indicated by the red arrow here. The same number is on my memory sticks in addition to the frequency #, in my case, 667. I'm looking to upgrade to 800.
LSWrrTrue, but I would hope they speed matched the RAM with the FSB
Unfortunately, I have Windows Vista Home Premium... I followed your directions and here is the information exactly how it is shown:
Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard Company
Model: s3600f
Rating: 3.0 Windows Experience Index
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz 2.00GHz
Memory (RAM): 2.00GB
System Type: 64-bit Operating System
I will open up the computer to check the cards tomorrow night, I will have more time to devote to the project.
I am not looking forward to more of the white stuff... Philly area and NJ supposed to get around 2 inches. We shall see.
I'll be in the end booth for a while studying for my test tomorrow... Thankfully no roadforman was available to give our verbal tomorrow, so we get to wait until the 21st of the month! An extra two weeks to get the territory memorized (thankfully, I could use the extra time!)
Chloe, may I please have a large glass of OJ? Thanks!
Sam
May He bless you, guide you, and keep you safe on your journey through life!
I Model the New Hope & Ivyland RR (Bucks County, PA)
Thanks all for the advice on the whole relationship thing with my friend. As of now, he still seems to be in the same place. He denies anything (although he hates the other guy, because he knows that he is trying to get with his girlfriend), but seems really upset. But he refuses to tell anyone anything. I was talking to his (twin) sister today in theology, and even she can't get anything out of him. We (as in I and his other friends) have done just about all we can, I guess.Thanks anyway...
So, my replacement centerbeam came yesterday, but I haven't gotten to even take it out of the box yet. MAYBE tonight. But I won't be here tomorrow night. So who knows when I'll actually get to it.Which reminds me, I still have to send the broken one back... Didn't have time before we went away, then it was New Years, and then it was the weekend, and then it slipped my mind. Maybe I can get my mom to ship it tomorrow?
Hey, Sam, good luck on the test tomorrow! And just wondering, which territory is it? Last I remember, you were getting familiarized with the NEC from Sunnyside to Morrisville. Is it that? Coast Line, maybe? RVL? Just throwing guesses out there... Well, good lucky anyways!
Well, I won't be around tomorrow night. I may be back in later tonight; we'll see.
And a Frost-Your-Pumpkins-Indeed!! Evening to you, Chloe (Ouch! Hey! Chloe, stop throwing things at me - I didn't mean THAT!) Sorry - I was talking to the guys here, not you... Oh, I'll have a Santa Fe mug of hot chocolate, please. Thank you!
der5997Dick, I guess YOU never froze your tongue to a flag pole as a kid! I wouldn't put out a metal water dish in winter.
And does that mean that you have experienced such a time, DerJohn? Otherwise, I wouldn't figure you'd be asking him, right? And is that little footwarmer yours? Cute!
Chris, that story was great.... entertainment! (Yeah, yeah, that's it!) Hey, on the 80 year old guy, watch it - I'm on-call tonight; what if he's heading south on I-55 my way? And I notice you avoid the Q-word like we do... Around this past Christmas, we just referred to wanting to have a 'silent' night (not a peep out of the little 'lectronic gismo attached to my belt).
CN Charlie, they always talk about good self-esteem helping your immune system, so I guess it w**ks for Pippa, too! Sounds like she's a fighter, all right! And thank you for your gracious offer, but we currently have a surplus of that down here.
Todd (and CN Charlie, and our other northern neighbours): we 'only' got a couple or three inches of the white stuff here - just enough to make the streets a mess(TM) and to thoroughly dirty up the bottom half of my car. Since it's not supposed to warm up above freezing until Monday, I've decided to hold off on redeeming my free car wash (from when I had the oil changed). The streets weren't bad at all, other than watching out for the $#%*^& idiots driving like 80-year old men...
Ulrich - at risk of being politically incorrect (not that I have EVER been like that...), you could see about getting a visa through Mexico... That thing with your Deutsche Rwy. sounds like many disasters waiting to happen (even more than what you've already told are happening). I guess greed is truly an international language, eh? Wonder what all that $50 million will do to the IPO price? Keep at it with your corner layout design - sounds promising. Maybe you could have some (below-waterline) pegs/dowels on the car float, to mate up with holes under the dock? On your local MRR clubs, that sounds good to me - our club dues are $25/month, but then again, we can lag behind one month and get caught up the next, and we have some (better-off?) members who are paid up some months ahead. I justify it myself by saying that club members get a discount on purchases from our LHS owner (and club member)'s place. But not everyone in our area belongs to a club, and some (gasp!) don't even belong to the NMRA. I trust that Petra wasn't looking over your shoulder at your closing quote, right?
Lee, good to hear you are prepared for that blizzard heading your way! Actually, looking around my collection, I think I'm prepared, also. Of course, I also have a large number of photos from your (and others') posts as inspiration for a little kitbashing, too.
Vincent - [OUCH!]
Bama, exactly how much 'dog snot' is there in Texas? (Todd, cover your ears!)(Hmm, I might just want to stay out from between those two...)
Jeff, hoping your car's braking system has decided to 'heal itself'. (Amen...) Hey, you wouldn't mind if it did, right?
Garry
Heartland Division CB&QUp north, it is cold enough for politicians to actually have their hands in their own pockets.
Ray, you sound like the busiest DIner in here (and you're retired. Oh, wait... - THAT explains it!).
Paul, I've been putting in a few that you and MaryAnn have bit LESS stuff to do around the place. I was trying to think of the last time I recall you getting some actual MRR'ing time in, and I'm not sure it was this year, was it?
Dick, I missed the news today (altogether, not just on the St. Louis story). Sorry to hear about that - was that an AmerenUE plant? Last year about this time (I think), one guy just driving down the interstate saw some of their guys w**king on a substation and decided to pull off and took some shots at them. Two went to the hospital, though I heard they survived finally.
Saywer, our high temp for the day was early this morning (mid-20's F), and it's been sliding downhill since then - supposed to hit about 9 F tonight (Hate to think what the wind chill may put that to!).
PC, now that's a pretty li'l stack of ties! How've you been feeling today, any better, I hope?
Keith, keep at it there - that looks like it's shaping up pretty well! About readyto start pinning/gluing/nailing down some of that soon?
Oh, Chris - does THAT editor call you for those 20 minute 'chat sessions'? I certainly hope so!
Sam, good to hear you lucked out on delaying your exam! And best wishes on the 21st.
As the others said, Joe - just stick with your buddy for whenever things crash (as I expect they will, sooner or later...). And don't say "I told you, man,..." not even if he says something about "I shoulda believed ya man".
Well, about time for me to head for home and see if I get another night of good ol'
Blessings and prayers and a warm place for your night,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
JimRCGMOPC, now that's a pretty li'l stack of ties! How've you been feeling today, any better, I hope?
Good as gold!
hey guys.
All the talk of snow makes me want to go for a drive. Living in Illinois,ya learn how to handle the white stuff. Of course Im a country boy and going to school today was a nightmare. My bus didin't go over 30 MPH. Normally, you go fifty on the rural roads and still get ran over. A long ride from farmfields for city. made me wonder how the conductors (guards) on the big four handled the change.
If you can read this... thank a teacher. If you are reading this in english... thank a veteran
When in doubt. grab a hammer.
If it moves and isn't supposed to, get a hammer
If it doesn't move and is supposed to, get a hammer
If it's broken, get a hammer
If it can't be fixed with a hammer... DUCK TAPE!
ns3010Hey, Sam, good luck on the test tomorrow! And just wondering, which territory is it?
It is the NEC, tomorrows written exam is from: Hunter Interlocking (Newark Int'l Airport and Conrail/Raritan Valley Line Connection) to County Interlocking (Jersey Avenue Station and Delco Lead for Conrail)
The written I will take on the 21st will be from County Interlocking to Morris Interlocking (Morris Interlocking is where NJ Transit's Morrisville Yard connects to the NEC via MY Interlocking [pronounced M-Y Interlocking, as in the initials of the yard]) which will also include the Princeton Line (otherwise known as "The Dinky" due to the use of a single "two car Electric MU" set that runs back and forth from Princeton Junction on the NEC to Princeton University... All 2 1/2 miles of track!
our verbal should be on the 21st, which means it will encompass the entire territory from Hunter to Morris, inclusive of all yards (i.e.: County Yard, Barracks Yard[which is in Trenton NJ, where NJ Transit used to store all their trains until Morrisville Yard was opened] and Morrisville Yard)
The good part about all this is that once I finish with this round of Qualifying, I will start trainhandling... THAT is where I operate a train with an Instructor Engineer, I operate under his Certificate, and he/she shows me the proper braking points, car spots for each passenger station and speed restriction along the line! I am a little apprehensive about running a train WITH passengers for the first time, but I think I will do fine... I did move a full consist train during OJT (On-the-Job-Training) this past summer, the passengers and speed of the train will be the only differences!
Thank you all for your best wishes and prayers for me throughout my training! Without you and my ever loving Wife, I don't think I would have been able to make it through!
Joe- I am qualified on the North Jersey Coastline, NEC: Sunnyside to Hunter (currently)
After trainhandling on the Coastline and NEC for a while, I believe they are going to have me qualify on the Atlantic City Line. Once qualified I should trainhandle there, then move on to the last leg of qualifying, the Raritan Valley Line. After I complete my trainhandling on the RVL I will have an opportunity to trainhandle on any of the lines I feel I need more work on, then I get my check rides and then promoted and on my own!
Chloe, may I please have a refill on my OJ? Thank you!
Hey ya'll. Some toritia chips and spicy queso dip.
Watching the game and pulling for Texas. I learned something today while sanding the many layers of spraybombs on the Eliminator scoop. Never try to flatten the sandpaper at edge on an orbital sander by putting on full power and running it against the pam of the hand; it asks for nasty papercuts...
Garry, That's a nice one there. I'm gonna take a shot at 'em below.
Jim, Each class requires 4 600 word essays. On top of the usual 50 page a day for each class... On the bright side I only have classes until the end April. I have to find out which of Florida's politicians voted for the accursed Gordon rule, see if they ever went to College, and never vote for them again. The way some of our politicians are, I think they probably dropped out of grade school.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Goooooooooooooooooooood Evening. Double cheeseburger basket, extra fries, a few plain cheeseburgers for Rerun...and a large RBF please 'n thank-you. THAT stuff is done for THAT...so the 'Ol Runner and I are here to relax and refuel.
JimRCGMOHey, on the 80 year old guy, watch it - I'm on-call tonight; what if he's heading south on I-55 my way?
Fear not, my friend. With help from the family, they traced him back to his apartment in Marion (suburb of Cedar Rapids). He had the door barricaded by a motorized scooter. Marion Fire and PD busted in, found him in the back bedroom in bad shape... apparent med OD. Not sure how he turned out, but the "call-in" from the ambulance to St. Luke's ER didn't sound too good, a Marion Fire paramedic had to ride in with the Area Ambulance paramedic. NOT a good sign. Area's medic, when relaying the meds, or "M" of a "SAMPLE" history said "...he's got a gynormous bag of medications, we're bringing it along..."
I'm just glad, despite whatever problems the guy has, that at least he only took himself out, or tried to. Nobody else got taken with him.
And yes JIM, THAT calls ME...
TRAINMAN SAM: Good luck on all your upcoming exams! I tried to hire-on with the CNW as a brakeman back in '92 and '93. Did good on the "thin out the herd" tests, made it to an interview with a large hard-a** named "Buck." I think I was doing OK until I told him enthusiastically about all the time I spent train watching at Beverly Yard, learning how to count down the cars "to a joint," was learning all I could about the East Iowa subdivison, etc. I later found out from a sympathetic brakeman THAT the RR wouldn't hire a known railfan...they thought we thought we knew it all...and they couldn't teach us anything for THAT reason. So....where I'm goin' with this, is how did you manage to get yourself hired-on with a railroad??? Congrats and may your wheels never leave the steel.
Actually, it's probably a good thing I didn't get hired... CNW got rid of brakemen in '93. They had some 89-day brakemen for a short while, can't remember for sure what year THAT was though. Apparently, on Day 90, the union got 'em, and the RR couldn't get rid of 'em. On Day 89, the RR could kick 'em to the curb. One week training in W. Chicago, then out to the field they went. I tried, couldn't get THAT either. Thought it woulda been a nice summer job...back in my younger, leaner, fitter, single days...
I forget how/why I never had any luck with the Chicago Central, my "second choice." Never even made it to a hiring session. With CNW, after applying through the former "Iowa Job Service," I was "invited" to the hiring session. The '93 session was in Boone, in what I think was the original Iowa Division HQ building. 'Ol Buck did his best to scare the crap out of us. When he stopped to take his first breath (15 minutes into it), guys bolted for the door. Everytime he'd stop talking, more and more guys would get up and leave. He painted a miserable picture, the worst life one could choose. Whittled us down pretty quick.
KEITH: Huh? Ya kinda lost me there Pal... I thought maybe you just really, really, really liked switches, and wanted a lot of them. I don't envy you wiring THAT up!
I'll yield the floor...Rerun is looking at me like he's saying "Dad...will you shut up already? Geesh!"
We'll hang here for awhile...