I Shipped It On The Frisco Today!

How did you do on that RS3 project?

philo426 posted:

How did you do on that RS3 project?

Pretty good!  

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...38#77875232604792538

Mitch

And they say LCL service is a thing of the past! 

I don't suppose our fellow forumites, Andre, might have been the M&ARR hoghead . . . ?

Number 90 posted:

I don't suppose our fellow forumites, Andre, might have been the M&ARR hoghead . . . ?

Dunno.  @Andre? 

Mitch 

M. Mitchell Marmel posted:

Number 90 posted:

I don't suppose our fellow forumites, Andre, might have been the M&ARR hoghead . . . ?

Dunno.  @Andre? 

His username is laming

He was working the city job when we were in Fort Smith last August, but you know how it is on the railroad -- that's all subject to change.

I retired!

April 20th was my last day pulling a throttle. It was a bittersweet experience. A lot more emotion than I expected, especially when the Trainmaster's voice broke when saying his goodbye. Didn't realize how deep the friendships had become over the years. Instead of dancing in the parking lot like I thought I would do, I was, frankly, quite sad as I quietly walked to my vehicle to go home from work for the last time.

I'm enjoying this retirement thing, but I can already see that I miss the better parts of railroading. Kind of sucks to think I'm not going to be handling tonnage ever again. If I happen to see a video of, say, 5 or so vintage SD's on 14,000 tons storming by at track speed (or working hard pulling a grade), I really miss some of the mainline running I've done in the past. It also kind of smarts to realize I won't be dropping off the hill at track speed with an all-Alco consist and whoa-ing up to yard a 7000+ ton sand train... brake shoes squealing as I bring the speed down and make a smooth, slack free stop. It's these kinds of experience and memories that will be sweet the rest of my life.

Yes, so many good memories about the railroading. However, given my age (66),  as well as the hearing loss/etc, (I dreaded the yearly hearing tests), and other significant stress factors, it was time to pull the pin and go to the house.

Here's a pic I snapped when going back to get my grip and stuff off of what may be the last engine I will ever run:

All fer now!

Andre

laming posted:

I retired!

Andre

Enjoy your retirement sir!!

Congratulations on your retirement. Bitter sweet now but the memories will last a lifetime.

Bob

laming posted:

I retired!

Instead of dancing in the parking lot like I thought I would do, I was, frankly, quite sad as I quietly walked to my vehicle to go home from work for the last time.

Congratulations, Andre! 

I kinda felt the same way when I retired from my manufacturing job in January, but I got over it real quick!

Rusty

Grats on your retirement, Andre!  You're always welcome at the JRM  Museum!   

Mitch 

P.S. As a visitor, not a display.  Honest.  

Congrats Andre!  Always loved reading your stories.  I hope you find fulfillment in your retirement, modeling, or even volunteering at a RR museum.  Thanks so much for sharing a part of yourself!!

Congratulations Andre. Enjoy your time.

Sharing your real-world experience has always been appreciated.

Best wishes for peace and satisfaction in retirement, Andre.  You were a lucky fellow to be able to retire by stepping off of an Alco these days.

Maybe you ought to keep a small bottle of diesel fuel at your house.  If you ever get wistful about your former days as an Engineer, you could unscrew the bottle cap and inhale  some of the raw fuel Alco aroma.  

Thanks all for the well wishing. The available time is wonderful.

Tom:

I'm not "wistful" (yet?)... but I will say that I already miss the engines and handling trains. As you likely full well know: When RR-ing is in your blood... well... it's there for life.

Since before I can remember how or why, I've always been fascinated with (and drawn to) trains. It wasn't until much later that I learned that such a passion was God-given and was part of what  was purposed for my life. 

Without fail, once our radio check and brake check was over... and I clicked on the bell, whistled off, and began to pull the throttle to start making our day happen... I always felt complete: This is one of the things in life I was designed to do.

Missing it is inevitable.

Too bad we can't stay young forever!

All fer this 'un.

Andre

Grampstrains posted:

Speaking of Frisco, You might want to check out the Frisco Boxcar that the St. Louis Lionel Railroad Club is offering.

For interested parties:   http://www.lionelrrclubstl.com/salesraffles.html  

For my part, I stick to mostly traditional rather than scale rolling stock.   

Mitch 

Hey Mitch:

At Fort Smith I used to run passenger shuttles for the "National Train Day" thing that was held at the "Frisco Station" in Fort Smith. Do you know if that event is on for this year (and date) and at the same venue?

I think it would be neat to meet up with a friend (and working acquaintance) that frequented that event.

Thanks.

Andre

laming posted:

Hey Mitch:

At Fort Smith I used to run passenger shuttles for the "National Train Day" thing that was held at the "Frisco Station" in Fort Smith. Do you know if that event is on for this year (and date) and at the same venue?

I think it would be neat to meet up with a friend (and working acquaintance) that frequented that event.

 

It's on for tomorrow, May 12, at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum!  

However, the A&M is doing National Train Day at the Springdale depot tomorrow, so I'll be there...  

Mitch 

I've just had a change of plans (out of town family coming in)... so guess I won't have the option of going to FS to see if I can meet up with Chuck. Oh well!

Andre