Railroaders' Nostalgia > Wondering about an old friend on the S.P.

Does anyone on here that worked out of the old Colton yard
back in the 60s & 70s remember or know a hogger named Mike Davis?

I actually meet Mike one fall afternoon in 1973 while parked up at the
Tehachapi Loop cassette tape recording the train action.

I got myself parked up by the east switch and noticed a guy
parked down over the loop tunnel in a Ford Pinto with a cool
looking set of dual Microphones with big wind screens also recording the action.

After about an hour I decided to drive on over to his location and
strike up a conversation perhaps.

As I get close the this Pinto the guys jumps up out of the drivers seat
with a big smile and says to me "Do you record Trains to?"

Apparently he also saw my Microphone and recording set-up.

I said "Sure do" and from there it turned into one of the most
interesting things that ever happened to me while rail fanning the mountain.

Mike had numerous cassette recordings(of which I have some copies)of himself
running the Sunset Limited and various freights recording all the cab conversations,
the M5 horns and the chant of the EMD Cab units in run 8 heading east out of Old Colton.

Mike mentioned his brother also worked for the S.P. and on some runs his brother
would get back into a second or third unit and they would play dueling horns
while running up San Timoteo canyon (I have the recording copies to prove it.)

Mike and I kept in contact for a few years and then he vanished.
With this cool forum on here I though maybe I'd ask the Question,

Gary



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/12 15:48 by P5r24.

I have sent you a PM regarding Mike.

-- Greg