Any Train Enthusiasts Out There?

[Waukonda]

My late father-in-law had an album with some pictures he took back in 1984. There's some of the Cumberland Tool Cars and big hook.

There was also a picture and write-up from the local newspaper about a safety award the locomotive shop carmen received. He's first on the left, my dad is second on the right. My dad always wore a camo t-shirt with a pocket.

John, that picture is a great family memento, nice post!

It is also really cool that Frank Zappa's brother was the safety officer!

[1967redrider]

My late father-in-law had an album with some pictures he took back in 1984. There's some of the Cumberland Tool Cars and big hook.

There was also a picture and write-up from the local newspaper about a safety award the locomotive shop carmen received. He's first on the left, my dad is second on the right. My dad always wore a camo t-shirt with a pocket.

John so many questions,
What who made the Big Hook? Very cool.
More importantly father in-law.
Was that how you and the better half made the big hook up? Or is that a wow moment.
Both very cool.
Steve

Thanks, Steve. I'm not sure about the history of the big hook, maybe Bucyrus from the 1950's?

Since our dad's worked together at the railroad, we've known each other since I was 3, and there's an old black & white picture of us at her 4th birthday party. But we married in 2020 after dating for 4 years. Prior to 2016, we hadn't seen each other for 30 years. Funny how things work out.

[1967redrider]

My late father-in-law had an album with some pictures he took back in 1984. There's some of the Cumberland Tool Cars and big hook.

There was also a picture and write-up from the local newspaper about a safety award the locomotive shop carmen received. He's first on the left, my dad is second on the right. My dad always wore a camo t-shirt with a pocket.

John, that picture is a great family memento, nice post!

It is also really cool that Frank Zappa's brother was the safety officer!

Thanks, Ike.

[LKSKNIVES]

John thank you for sharing your personal story that is interesting how life is.
Lori and I went to middle and high school together. Didn’t hang out or anything. We were both married before. Her to one of my best friends brothers. We still laugh today. I never understood how she was hooked up with him.
Then after we had both been on our own for about 5 years, we worked within a mile of each other. She was out for a daily walk, I was out for a run she recognized me. The rest is history history. Our first date was 30 years ago may 15 white six game. The funny part of the story was at some point she pulled out a year book from middle school pre 1977 there is my picture big hair and all. She had drawn a heart around it. The year book is still some where at home.
Steve

[Waukonda]

John thank you for sharing your personal story that is interesting how life is.
Lori and I went to middle and high school together. Didn’t hang out or anything. We were both married before. Her to one of my best friends brothers. We still laugh today. I never understood how she was hooked up with him.
Then after we had both been on our own for about 5 years, we worked within a mile of each other. She was out for a daily walk, I was out for a run she recognized me. The rest is history history. Our first date was 30 years ago may 15 white six game. The funny part of the story was at some point she pulled out a year book from middle school pre 1977 there is my picture big hair and all. She had drawn a heart around it. The year book is still some where at home.
Steve

Great story, Steve, good thing you took her to a Southsiders game!

[LKSKNIVES]

That was because my boss at the time was a south sider. He never stepped foot into the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.
Now another story Billy Williams was at the Quaker Barrington office and my boss did not know. The VP had us get him out of the office for a bit. The VP then slipped Mr Williams into Dave’s office sitting in his chair. The look on the south side fans face when he came back and Billy Williams was sitting in his chair at his desk.
PRICELESS.
If I say I am a fan it would be a Cubs fan.
I got too see a home run fest with Sosa and Mcquire at one point also thanks to Gatorade.

[1967redrider]

John thank you for sharing your personal story that is interesting how life is.
Lori and I went to middle and high school together. Didn’t hang out or anything. We were both married before. Her to one of my best friends brothers. We still laugh today. I never understood how she was hooked up with him.
Then after we had both been on our own for about 5 years, we worked within a mile of each other. She was out for a daily walk, I was out for a run she recognized me. The rest is history history. Our first date was 30 years ago may 15 white six game. The funny part of the story was at some point she pulled out a year book from middle school pre 1977 there is my picture big hair and all. She had drawn a heart around it. The year book is still some where at home.
Steve

Cool story, Steve. It's funny how things come around full circle.

[LKSKNIVES]

Big Boy will be on the move
3/29/26

[1967redrider]

Big Boy will be on the move
3/29/26

Thanks, Steve. What's the link for this source? Thanks again!

[LKSKNIVES]

Big Boy will be on the move
3/29/26

Thanks, Steve. What's the link for this source? Thanks again!

Not sure if this will work John. I tried a copy and paste. Will take a screenshot also
[/https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/join

[1967redrider]

Big Boy will be on the move
3/29/26

Thanks, Steve. What's the link for this source? Thanks again!

Not sure if this will work John. I tried a copy and paste. Will take a screenshot also
[/https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/join

It did work, thanks! I signed up for their newsletter and would love to catch U.P. X4014 here on the East Coast.

AFT No. 1 is also on my list this year, but that's an easy one since she's just an hour away at the B&O Museum in Baltimore. Here's a video from a guy I watch on YouTube. He works MoW for Amtrak and I've met him at York TCA, a really nice guy.



This engine also headed the Chessie Steam Special back in the 1970s, but was built as Reading 2101. A victim of a roundhouse fire in Kentucky (I think), it sat rusting in the B&O Museum parking lot for years and I saw her there in 2023. Thanks to a cosmetic restoration, I'm glad to see she's looking sharp at least!

[1967redrider]

More info on an East Coast Big Boy tour-

[LKSKNIVES]

Thank you very much RR
Interesting stuff.
Steve

[Waukonda]

The sun is peeking out and with temps in the upper 30's the snow is beginning to melt. Just caught this Grand Trunk geep traveling solo.

[LKSKNIVES]

Nice Picture Ike
I really like the color scheme on those

[LKSKNIVES]

Forgot to post this. I was in Meijer grocery store with mom on the first and noticed there picture story on the wall. And in the corner was PRR 6100.
I put the Wiki link and the picture from the store.
Enjoy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylva ... d_class_S1

[Waukonda]

Forgot to post this. I was in Meijer grocery store with mom on the first and noticed there picture story on the wall. And in the corner was PRR 6100.
I put the Wiki link and the picture from the store.
Enjoy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylva ... d_class_S1

That was one awesome beast, it is a shame they scrapped it.! Thanks for posting, although you make me jealous by having a Meijer store nearby. My wife and I have been Meijer fans since shopping the Kalamazoo Thrifty Acres back in the 70s. Our closest one now is 2 hours away.

[LKSKNIVES]

Yes Ike
Too bad it went to the Scrapper. I used to shop Meijer more. Not sure if I am ashamed to say I shop Wally World, ALDI and we have a woodmans. We try to shop for the cheapest price. Walmart and ALDI are same distance. Corporate ALDI is down the street from where I work now. Tried to get employed with them when I was looking after Diageo, ALDI would not hire me without a piece of 50k paper. Shopped woodmans for alcohol when I worked for Diageo they had the best booze prices.
Steve

[1967redrider]

Forgot to post this. I was in Meijer grocery store with mom on the first and noticed there picture story on the wall. And in the corner was PRR 6100.
I put the Wiki link and the picture from the store.
Enjoy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylva ... d_class_S1

Awesome Torpedo history. BTW- if there's a Wegmans grocery store close by, the all have a shelf G Scale train running.

[Waukonda]

Was walking thru a Menards last evening and thought of the RedRider when I saw this.....

[Waukonda]

I was driving by some autoracks on a siding and there was a hodge podge of logos, I think at least 1 of all the class 1s in U.S., plus CN, CP, and Ferromex. I see less of CP than I used to see of KCS and I seldom ever see Ferromex.

[1967redrider]

Was walking thru a Menards last evening and thought of the RedRider when I saw this.....

We went to one last May outside of KC, and they had just put away the remaining train stuff. Cool autorack shots.

[LKSKNIVES]

Good evening Big Boy fans. Was just at UP.com, pretty cool video. Not a link but I am sure you guys and gales can find it. Unless you already have any I am behind. I don’t do Facebook.
Steve

[Waukonda]

Just watched "SwitchBack" (1997) for the first time last evening. I would highly recommend for train fans, Rio Grande locos and great scenery along with big name actors.

[LKSKNIVES]

Thank you Ike
I will have to check it out
Steve