fter the complete railroad spin-cycle from last night, I rode out to Cocoa to run on Jack Ferguson’s Yosemite Valley Railroad. And this was just what I needed – easy going sequential ops with some interesting switching and no screaming operators or scribbled warrants. Just what the railroad surgeon ordered.

Anyway, I got to run the yard first thing while new-comer Mark D ran our first massive train in. Broke it up nicely in the yard – good thing it was semi-blocked and went apart easily. Once I got the first train done, I sent the John out with it. And I realize, as I write this piece, that I don’t remember train and town names very well. Have to get with Jack and get a copy of his train lineup.

Final train of the day, heading home.

Anyway, with John out and both trains built, I rode out with Mark and helped him do his switching. He’s got that enduring I’m-afraid-I’m-going-to-F-up thing going – I could tell by the way he was gripping his one-knob throttle with both hands. Anyway, we worked the line up and down the Valley industries, interesting ops that give you a chance to really figure your best moves out. Once we finished and drove the local home, I got to do some quick work on the high end, working the salt company and lumber mill, easy if you’ve done it a few times.

Really, there wasn’t much more to say – three guys running, one hosting, and all of us having fun (well,  maybe not from John – I heard muttering from him, but I’m sure he’ll reflect on things and decide it was fun after all). Maybe I was high on paint fumes – Jack’s house’s exterior was being painted that day. But no, I just think it was fun operations on a casual setup, perfect to unwind with.

Thanks, Jack, for having us out. Hope we can do it again soon!

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All photos: Mark D

Dig that fancy “Sticky Lettering” the YVRR uses.

John faces his nemesis.