@Trinity River Bottoms Boomer posted:Quarter Gauger 48: In Jan. 65, I was assigned to the 49th Transportation Group with HQ in Mannheim, Germany. Sent to the BTMO (Branch Transportation Movement Office) in Nuremberg with duty stations in Ansbach and Regensburg, both operated by the Bundeswehr Vekehrskommandantuer (Traffic Command Office). In the Ansbach office, Herr Kirsch taught me my first German. On return to the States in Aug. 67, after my three year hitch with the Transportation Corps, I improved it thanks to the Goethe Institute's 1st and 2nd year German language courses which aired on PBS.
Arriving in Germany I fell in love with Deutsche Bundesbahn steam, diesel, and electric locomotives. I couldn't help but wonder just how many of the older steam and electrics had worked during WWII, some surely having pulled goods wagons equipped with barbed wire covering the small vent openings, hauling human cargo to their final destination? I visited the concentration camp in Dachau (not far from Munich) in 1966 and the air in the "shower room" was still stale! Not a pretty sight.
Today we are fighting WWIII with a deadly global disease. Thank God (really) for O Gauge Railroading, with a dedicated professional staff who continue to assist model railroaders of all ages and gauges overcome the partial lockdowns we are currently forced to live with. Not to forget the many members who are also friends, always ready to help their fellow modelers solve problems, or just enjoy good company in these troubled times in which we now find ourselves.
Godspeed
Joe
Guys
Lets try to stick with the Topic at hand. We have been warned several times about “ Memory Lane” and such. I would hate to see MY THREAD shut down because of this please have some respect. If you want to talk about old times and different subjects PM that person.
