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Hello folks

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Hello folks
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 18, 2005 4:51 PM
And Hi to you all.

This is a slow day today, so I thought I'd register here. Kinda like chat forums, but never though I'd make it here.

I started life as a foamer, but almost 40 years later I'm not. Here's why:

I'll start with my model trains. It was my first love, along with model cars. My train layout filled my bed room from grade school to high school.

After that I went to college to become mechanic. Well that didn't pan out so I worked for my dad for a decade. While there, I volunteered at a local railroad museum. We restored a 10 wheeler to operating condition and I was the museum brakeman for several years.
I thought this was a fun and easy job, so I tracked down a college in Kansas (Nation Academy of Railroad Sciences) and enroled.
2 year later I was the first along with 7 others that graduaded with an AS Degree in Railroad sciences.
Of the 7, 2 quit, 4 still work for the BNSF, and one died in a train accident.

Another decade later, here I am. I've worked from Washington to California-LA Richmond, Barstow, Stockon, Temple Texas, and Kansas.
8 different terminals, don't know how many rail miles, Conductor and switchman jobs.

Now a days I just switch in the yard with RCO equipped engines.
It's been a tough go, especially getting laid off years ago.
It is much better these days, now I just go to work just like everyone else, except the remote engines I work with are real not toys.

cheers
BNSFED
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Ely, Nv.
  • 6,312 posts
Posted by chad thomas on Monday, April 18, 2005 5:03 PM
Welcome to the forum.
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Duluth,Minnesota,USA
  • 4,015 posts
Posted by coborn35 on Monday, April 18, 2005 5:45 PM
Yeah, have fun

Mechanical Department  "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."

The Missabe Road: Safety First

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,310 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, April 18, 2005 5:48 PM
Hi
welcome to the forums.would like to here more about restoration of locos and other stories you have.
stay safe
joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Monday, April 18, 2005 5:53 PM
[#welcome] to the forums.
I really would like to hear some of your stories.
It sounds very interesting.

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: West Coast
  • 4,122 posts
Posted by espeefoamer on Monday, April 18, 2005 6:20 PM
[:)] Welcome! There's always room for one more[:D]!
Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool.
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Louisville, KY
  • 9,002 posts
Posted by cherokee woman on Monday, April 18, 2005 6:28 PM
As mentioned above, Welcome to the forums. Stop in the Depot Diner and
Coffee Shop, and tell us some of your experiences railroading.
Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 18, 2005 7:46 PM
Welcome to the forums!!!!
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
  • 1,482 posts
Posted by adrianspeeder on Monday, April 18, 2005 8:59 PM
Breaker breaker, howdy, and welcome aboard. This is a crazy place, kinda like one big disfunctional family that somehow manages to not kill each other. Maybe thats cuz we are all seperated. haha

Happy posting,
Adrianspeeder

USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 18, 2005 9:03 PM
Ugg there is nothing on TV.

Well you' all probably know more about RR's than me, got no ego to share.

The steam engine is the Southern Pacific 2353. Unfortunately it saw it's last steam some years ago. Most of the steam heads that rebuilt her in the 1990'ds, are dead now.
I was the young punk that hung around and spent many weekends rebuilding her. 2300 hour I spent, did all the brake work, and the tender.
I'm not affiliated with the museum anymore.
Boiler work is to extensive I heard.

Rent the move Peal Harbor, you'll see her along with the SF 3751.

Depot Diner?? Coffie Shop?? what is it.

Thanks for the welcomes

BNSFEd
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 6:26 AM
Welcome Ed. Sounds like you may be a fellow "right in the middle" of the US and BNSF fan. (I can't say Great Plains States, since I think we are the Mid-West, but that's another posting) You will find great variety on here - a person for just about any taste in railroading. And all age ranges, altho' I think you will find a lot of gentlemen on here just about your age group.

And even an occasional woman or two.....[8)]

Mookie

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin TX
  • 4,941 posts
Posted by spbed on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 6:33 AM
Welcome to a fellow railfan

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 7:28 AM
[#welcome] BNSFED!
BNSFrailfan.

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