Playing Engineer

 When I first volunteered at the Toledo Train Day in 2012 I met Steven Rathke who was presenting the Operation Lifesaver program and I found out one of NS’s hotshot engineers. We became friends over the years and I was lucky to be a small part in his railway and family life. I got to sit the cab of the NS 911 Emergency Responders SD70 at the Train Show in 2016.

This year Steve was chosen to train many of the NS engineers in the workings of Positive Train Control PTC. NS put together an awesome trailer and in April was moved to Toledo Ohio. I was very fortunate to be invited to visit it at the Toledo NS crew change facility.

Even better was to run an army train with 2 SD70’s through Utah on the full size simulator in the trailer.

Sat there for an hour just rolling along. Stalled once on a hill and back up. Had to do everything like in a real one of the the train would stop. Thanks Steve.

Planning on a trip next month if the weather holds.

Indoor Time

A dreary looking Saturday morning so time to do some indoor things I have been putting off. Things like washing the kitchen and bathroom floor and other fun things. Also maybe build something for the model railroad.

Living above the post office has some disadvantages like people coming at all hours to pick up their mail. Some having the radio playing and then leaving their vehicle running while they get their mail then sit there right below my window reading it. I wish the mailboxes were not accessible 24/7 then would not have the problem.

I ask the county to put up a no idle sign but they don’t seem to care that I and the post office employees have to put up with stinky diesel truck fumes from inconsiderate people.

I created my own sign and put on the front of the building and wonder how many will care and turn off their vehicles. The bylaws states excessive noise like idling engines never mind the health factor. Everybody complains about fuel costs but think nothing of letting their vehicles run. Excuse is need the a/c in the summer and heater in the winter. What lame excuses.

I guess just part of the “me” world we now live in. 😦

Railfanning Inside

Last couple of days have been wet so decided it was time I rebuilt my stereo wall that was sitting on a antique library table. Dragged it out and took everything apart. Then I built a new shelf and put everything back together.

My 55 ” TV was sitting on the floor but is now on the top shelf. Came out pretty good and I am happy with it.

I am now nursing a sore back after lift all that furniture and stereo equipment. My amp and reel to reel are old school with huge power transformers and each weighs about 50 pounds.

Table is up for sale on Kijiji if your are interested. make me an offer.

Rain is doing a number on any fall colour shots I had planned but hopefully it will clear before they are all blown away.

Keep dry.

Winter Blahs

Is it possible to get the winter blahs even though there is nice weather outside? Lately I have seemed to slip into a routine of doing nothing. My brain keeps telling me I should be out bike riding or walking or doing something but it seems I all want to do is nothing.

Even things I like have no interest and watching reruns on TV is about all I do these days.

I am sure I will snap out of it but it seems a couple negative things in my life have taken over and pushed the other good things out-of-the-way.

Today is football Sunday so maybe that will cheer me up. Off to meet a couple of friends for coffee this morning so need to get my outside face on. 🙂

Been A While

It has been a while since my last entry as have made to week-long trips to the USA to chase trains and still recovering. Ten hour days chasing trains takes a toll on this old body but did mange to catch NKP 765 5 times when it was heading east and twice on its return trip. Here we see it rolling Bellevue Ohio Sept 26 2017

Also attended the Fostoria Rail Festival on Sept 23 which was a huge success. Weather was great and everyone had a great time. Photos can be seen HERE

Next Year we do it all again.

The weather has been great in Sept and even into Oct but one morning we will wake up to find Fall has arrived so enjoy it while you can. That is where I am heading as the rain has ended and the clouds have left. I will update more later.