Western Railroad Discussion > Railroaders-Railfans, A New Thread.

This thread is really late boomer. If there was ever a tribute to railroaders for Labor Day, this is it!

What, I'm to give up to management what my labor brothers and sisters have given me on a public forum.

Are you looking for me to list every time security and rules took a back seat to a fellow sharing his love of railroading? OK, this is harmless, because each of the players has retired.

OK, this guy was getting ready to retire, he was also engineering one of the last new locomotives purchased by the Espee.

I was on the eastend of Sparks yard, and heard that the west power had to switch with the east power. This because the west power had GE built, espee No. 378 on the point, a sales tax thing. Captured the switch on film.

The hogger saw me, yelled: ever been in a brand new unit? No, I said. He said come on up. Well I was up onto the unit in a heart-beat. Next thing I know, he's wanting to take me to Carlin, Nevada.

The conductor says something like...Not again! The engineer says; "shut up." And I smell the new car aroma, but its not a car, its a multi-million-dollar locomotive built by GE.

In my book, the IBE-T members have class, I also know UTU conductors that have class.

Then there is the story of herding one of the locals westbound between Fernley and Vista! And I'm engineering the local westbound! What do I know of this service, I'm just a truck driver at the throttle of this SD9 motive power consist!

The best ride I ever had, was when an engineer I knew passed away, and three of the 8 photos of the fellow were taken by me, and displayed at his funeral

He had three ceremonies in one, Episcopal, IBE-T and Mason. My photos were apart of all three ceremonies. This fellow touched me, alive and dead. Thanks Tom!

Jimmy "B
Lawton, NV

My regards to you in the loss of your friend Jimmy. Don't ever say that you're JUST a truck driver. There are only two kinds of people, truckers and those that wish they were, well, I guess that railroaders count too. We're "goods relocation engineers, and technicians".
I've had somewhat similar experiences that you mentioned here, and sadly, most of my friends have tied up for eternity too.

Con

Touching story, Jimmy. Glad you got to experience the inside of a locomotive cab at least once in your life.

Better get your application in - I think they're still hiring trainmen there in Sparks!

boomer,

Got a chuckle out of your reply. If I was 25 years younger, I'd be down at Sparks knocking down doors to apply for a job. And yes, it was great fun to get into that brand new locomotive! I've been in many more than one cab so far, and would expect a few more visits before I pass on.

Jimmy B
Lawton, NV