Who are you?

[Anonymous]

From age 2 to 10, my dreams and the events of my life were punctuated with the passing of the last of New York Central steam, and then the earliest diesels, right past my back yard on the main line east of Rochester: bigger and more powerful and awesome than anything I could yet imagine, great Niagaras came down the line, smoking up as they accelerated out of the yards, pulling wooden cars with catwalks, sometimes with a brakeman walking on top; the silver clad Hudson flashing by in the afternoon at the head of the gleaming Empire State Express, so distinct from the dingy passinger trains that chugged on by every hour; an occasional glimpse in the night of that gray ghost, the Twentieth Century Limited, its signature logo illuminated at the very rear of the rounded observation car carrying sophisticates from one mythic place to another, its light diminishing into the silence, expanding my imagining of the world. These visions forever hooked me on trains.
Now I live behind a plate glass view just as close to the BNSF main line into the heart of Chicago, right by Halsted St. before the wye, the Metra and Amtrak yards and Union Station. At all times there are trains passing trains: dozens of Metra trains to or from Aurora, occasionally stopping out front for the little excuse of a station at Halsted; the long-distance western Amtrak trains just starting or ending their several days journey, often meeting right in front of me!; the City of New Orleans backing out of Union Station, stopping out front and pulling ahead on up over the St. Charles Airline to the IC along the lakefront; BNSF coal drags from Wyoming to some eastern power plants, their engines colored green, or warbonnet, or fresh orange; NS freights bound for the first BNSF yards to the west; UP container trains going in or out of the old CNW Wood St. yard to the west. Over the past 19 years that I've lived here I have seen locomotives in every livery of just about every imaginable railroad, even the Alaska Railroad! If trains were my whole life, I'd have already died and gone to heaven!

[Anonymous]

My parents thought my brother (8) and I (4) were old enough to travel by ourselves on a train through Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. So they put us on a New York, New Haven and Hartford "Montrealer," told the conductor to put us off at a town in Vermont and our cousins would pick us up. My parents arrived the next day. This was back in 1946, when you could do this without ending up in prison. We had a great time and I think that's what hooked me.

[Anonymous]

HI,
I was born & raised in Northwestern PA. near a branch line of the Pennsylvania running from Pittsburgh to Erie, which was also near the Bessemer main line which ran (runs?) from Lake Erie to Bessemer, PA. My Dad worked for both these lines finishing up his career on the Nickel Plate out of Conneaut, Ohio.
Thus always interested in trains!!

[Anonymous]

I think I've been a railfan since I was in the womb! I've loved trains all my life and have been railfanning for most of it. I'm 17 now.

[Anonymous]

Been following the rail history and hobby off & on since 1965. It's one way to stay connected to what's good about our America and follow the example of it's hard working people. I enjoy the old issues of the hobby mags, the early kits, the pike kits like "Alturas & Lone Pine" caboose and stories by our hobby masters. Keep those personal accounts coming for us who didn't work on the RR but want to hear anyway.
WCVRR - Pat Tracy, Chief Superintendant

[Anonymous]

Been having a great time working as a Signal Maintainer for Conrail, NJT, and now CSX. Boy show a little intrest and you would be surprised what you might get to do. Head end rides with the inspection train, traveling the division facilitating safety training, rebuliding signal equipment and seeing the improvements make a difference, recieving signal training from three different roads. Oh yea, I also worked on a couple of short lines as a maintainer and a member of a train crew. I've got about 30yrs to retirement, can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. UP?

[brilondon]

I was forced into railroading by my grandfather who gave me my first train set for Christmas when I was five. For the next thirty years I have been hooked on this wonderful hobby. Even when I attended the University of Windsor I had the great fortune to become freinds with a fellow railroader. He introduced me to the wonderful past time of train watching and the rest as they say is history.[:)][8D] I am so grateful to my [:)] grandfather [:)] who had an interest in railroading as a shipper for Lacmac in London.

[therailnut]

Hi my my name is Jack Doran. I live in Galesburg, IL and I am a railroad nut. Although I hope to work for the railroad some day. I will model and admire them until I work for one someday. then I will still be a railnut till the the i die.

[Anonymous]

My name is Chris Hughes,Im 30 years old and have been a railfan since i was a little boy. My grandpa worked for C&O for 40 years and did everything from general labor to yardmaster in Russell,KY. I grew up in Marion,Indiana near the old C&O(Later Chessie Sytem) Cinci to Chicago mainline(this line is no longer there..its now a Rails to Trails path) and the Conrail(now NS) line. I have many fond memories of watching the trains growing up. And my grandpa has many great stories to tell me from his years on the railroad. I now live in Chicago and enjoy getting out and seeing all the differant R/R's that pass through here...UP,BNSF,NS,Etc....

This definetely isnt CSX country up here : )


Chris

[Trainnut484]

Pinball Wizard [:p][:o)][:o)][:p][:D]

How was that?? LOL

Take care[:)]

Russell

[Anonymous]

What if you were once a Hobo?? Where do I fit in? Should I be a Railfan or an UNPAID Employee??[8D]??

[Anonymous]

I am both employee and railfan. Why can I not vote for both? I am employee of the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (= Dutch Railways) and I am (of course) railfan of my company.
So, what am I doing at this American website? Well, I am also very interested in US railroads, especially New Haven.

[Anonymous]

I come from a line of Rails that dates back several generations. My Dad worked for the Espee in the days of steam. Got to work with plenty of Cab Forwards..( Lucky bum.) I currently work for a shortline in Northern California. Believe you me, railroading isn't the same as it use to be. In some respects....Thank God!!!!!

Apparently some of you guys didn't see the issue of Trains Magazine a year or so ago.
The the article was intitled " The Second Best Day Of My Life Was When I Hired On With The Railroad. The Best Day Of My Life Was When I Quit." At least I think that's how the title went.

At any rate, for all you would be or wannabes, all I can say is make Good and Sure that's what you want to do for a living. It's not and easy job by no means. Odd hours, bad weather, bad equipment to deal with not to mention a really lousy social life. And railroading has a bad effect on marriages. And that's just some of the good things.....LOL

Sorry, hate to harp like this but it's not a job for everyone.

Rip

[oltmannd]

How about adding an "US" and "THEM" category? Since that is how labor and mgt view each other......

I'm with "US".

-Don

[vsmith]

Put me down as "enthusiast".

My primary interest has always been history of and modeling trains, narrow gauge and the like. The only time I watch trains is if I'm waiting at a grade crossing ( I will make time for live steamers though) and the only time I photograph is when I'm looking for details for my loco roster. Avidly looking for new books and information to add to my library.

[Teditor]

Worked on the NSWGR's in Eveleigh depot in Sydney NSW, Australia as a fireman/acting driver (Aussie terminology?), so I fit the former employee/current railfan/modeller category. Am heavily involved in the modelling aspect now and can relate to my time on the real thing. I left because steam finished and the job got boring, maybe that was a mistake.

[Anonymous]

Greetings,

I live down the street from the BNSF Mile Post 76 in Houston. Been a railfan since I was a kid. Now Im a big kid at 40.:)

I have lived near the BNSF since 1976. Always enjoy seeing the trains go by.

I do miss the old CRIP and the Burlington Northern. But times change.

Any other railfans in the Houston area? Also am modeling in HO scale.

Mark in Texas

[Anonymous]

Put me down as an

"Extended-leave-of-absense-for-education-puropses"

[Willy2]

Definately a big rail fan! I've only been around for 13 years, but for 9 of those I have loved trains.

[Anonymous]

I am working with Rail operators to clean trains safer. HF acids are used way to often and have killed people, just to get a clean train! I have developed a train cleaner that is non-acid and cleans as well as hydrofluoric, I am looking for all avenues to get rail maintenance to try this safe cleaner.

[Anonymous]

I'm 48 years old, working on my third railroad, in my third craft. I started with the DT&I as a shop laborer in Flat Rock, MI, in 1973 (between high school and college). After a short stint of attempting to be a high school ag teacher, I went to work for Amtrak as an NEC block operator. Spent 9 years working towers between Balto. and D.C. Took a buyout from them in '88 when the Phila. division went CTEC. Worked on aircraft for a gov't contractor for 9 years. Got RIFfed in '99. Since 2000, I've been a switchman/conductor for CSXT, trying my best to stay in Sibert Yard, Mobile, AL. I haven't got the good sense to stay away from railroading. Altho I enjoy my job, its benefits, I must tell all of you who dream about a railroad career that you are far better off dreaming about it. It'd sure be nice to have a job that worked "normal" hours and had weekends off. Juggling this job and a life is difficult. And it'd be really nice to not have to pay nearly $77 per month UTU dues to be (mis)represented. As the engineman on my crew remarked the other night, "it's the only place I've ever been where you start on the bottom and work down."

[Train Guy 3]

I've been looking at trains ever since I could see them. I'll chase a a train anyway i can, car, bike, foot....... ect. I collect all sorts of train things; i have horn handles, side panels, i even have a antique railroad gate that I " acquired ".

[Anonymous]

My mother worked for the Deutsche Bundesbahn but that had little influence with my infatuation with trains. Behind my Uncles garden outside of Nuerenberg a Saddle Tanker Steamer used to roll by a couple times a day. The whistle and noise used to scare the daylights out of me, that had little influence. But hanging out a little later on in Elizabeth NJ, watching GG1's and CNJ stuff stop or roar past really did. Especially when a GG1 stopped and the engineer turned out to a real good looking woman. I live now in north western NJ where railroads where once plentiful but now are just memories.

[Bergie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by unionswitch

I worked for a major railroad in Southern California as a trainman. I won't mention their name but they like the color yellow alot.

I enjoyed the work when I had it, however I disliked the B.S. they dish out to their employees. I decided to leave because I did not want to spoil the railfan in me.

I am now back in the profession where I came from and have many stories to tell. People find it very interesting that I once worked on the railroad.

I do not regret making the move to the railroad and I have enjoyed the experience.

Welcome aboard! We can't wait to hear your stories and hope you share your insight with us.

Erik

[Anonymous]

I agree should of had a place for us, as I also am a ex-railroader. It was the best job I ever had, ex-cept for this retirement. There were many days, when I wished that I could have stayed, but the steel mill decline in the NE would not premit it.

[edblysard]

Mark,
I live in Houston also, down the street from BNSF main to Dallas Fort Worth, the old Ft Worth Denver and Colorado line along Mangum, crosses Antione, Tidwell, out towards Willowbrook mall.
I work for the PTRA down on Clinton and Wayside.
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by blondjocktx

Greetings,

I live down the street from the BNSF Mile Post 76 in Houston. Been a railfan since I was a kid. Now Im a big kid at 40.:)

I have lived near the BNSF since 1976. Always enjoy seeing the trains go by.

I do miss the old CRIP and the Burlington Northern. But times change.

Any other railfans in the Houston area? Also am modeling in HO scale.

Mark in Texas

[PNWRMNM]

Working rail in the Pacific Northwest.

Mac McCulloch

[Anonymous]

Have been railroading for almost 30 years. Started with Milwaukee Road in 1974,
to Soo Line & now CP. Like the work, no 2 days are ever the same; some great,
most good, & a few I'd rather not remember. Changes to numerious to mention,
some good, most not. Traffic is up, employment down. Work is NOT for everyone,
long hours, very hard on family & relationships. LOTS of BS from mangement. All
in all, I have enjoyed my career, but will not mind when I can pull the pin & retire.
Am glad I started when I did, suspect I would have liked working more, back in
earlier days.
Good luck to you all, enjoy railroading any safe way you can. Cheers & 73's

[Anonymous]

Having grown up practically on the tracks of the former Frisco Railroad, I've had an interest in trains for most of my 55 years. I'm not terribly thrilled about BNSF. I have a cap that a guy I met years ago gave me, that I think is really great & would improve my opinion of BNSF somewhat. It has the BNSF letters on the old Frisco coonskin logo.
In my humble opinion BNSF should repaint all motive equipment in the Santa Fe War Bonnet (passenger) color scheme with BNSF on the coonskin logo under the cab windows.

[eastcoast]

I have been studying Rail Transportation most of my life,although never worked with one, have lived near tracks with lots of activity. Currently, I am studying the movements of the P & L.