--- In [email protected], "Andre Ming" <laming@...> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks to all that offered words of encouragement. I am surprised my
> sporadic and simplistic S scale efforts have been appreciated as much as some
> of you indicate. A sincere thank you for saying so.
>
> As for my layout's future: It ain't goin' nowhere. (Ooops, pun not
> intended.) I mean that it's not going to be dismantled. Could be that "one
> of these days" my enthusiasm for hands-on modeling will return and I'll
> further it along.
>
> As for my 1:1 size railroading:
>
> The railroading I enjoyed most is gone. Today's railroading is but a shell
> of what it used to be. Make no mistake, though, I still enjoy the act of
> handling trains, etc. In fact, just tonight (I worked an evening job), I
> inwardly smiled with satisfaction as I dropped a short freight (about 30
> cars) into the yard off the hill at the maximum allowable speed for the
> mainline in our yard (20 MPH). Smooth as silk coming through the sag, and
> continued to hold track speed until time to reduce for the 10 MPH limit sign
> that's near the switch, said switch that was going to need to be lined up.
> Brought it to a gentle stop right at the stop point to throw the switch.
> Also tonight, I handled an 8,250 ton train from the UP, over our railroad,
> then over another RR to said RR's yard. Was very satifying to get that much
> tonnage up out of the river bottoms with the limited power I had (3 units for
> a total of 6,000 HP), as well as keeping it smooth and easy as I took it over
> their line to their yard. Things like the above I still enjoy tremendously.
>
> It's just that the overall railroad scene has changed so dramatically from
> the elements that got me interested in 1:1 railroading so many decades ago.
> Plus, each summer is getting tougher and tougher to endure. (I'm 60 now.) I
> enjoy what I do most during the cool and cold months. Summers here really,
> really suck. (Record high of 115 degrees last year. Temperature inside the
> cab of the non-A/C equipped Alco's I was running was something like 125-130
> degrees.) Once I finish a day like that... I don't want to do ANYTHING when
> I get home, motorcycles or otherwise. Just want to get in the shower and get
> cleaned up... and collapse in front of my computer and read/view things of
> interest, etc while the A/C blows from the vents above.
>
> Andre, I can totally relate to what you speak about today's railroading. I
> retired 5 yrs ago at age 60 with 31 yrs service. I knew it was time to go,
> had more than enough of the b.s. The fun stuff from days gone by were just a
> memory. I started in yard switching in pre radio days and was a member of the
> BRT. That predecessor to the UTU was more geared to the worker's needs.
My last two years was as "volunteer" safety chairman, one way to keep them
off my back, but trying to teach proper technique to the newbies was a
hassle...hard to teach someone who thinks they know more than you!
My modeling in S scale has been a slow process, I work in streaks it seems.
Tore down what I had for a layout 2 yrs ago and am putting up ceilings in the
basement due to excess dust from above (old house).
Just now getting benchwork back up, and chomping at the bit by getting just a
few cars out onto some flex track to keep my interest going.
Am also a motorcylist, bought a Harley 3 yrs ago (on ebay no less!)and when
I get into the doldrums , a quick ride around town, with that "potato" music
perks me right up.
So don't give up on the career yet, look forward to retirement and more time
to do some modeling.
Would love to hear more stories of your current train movements!
Bud Rindfleisch
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