Today I had to fix everyone’s little work problems, putting out fires, taking three hours of process training, and researching another ill-conceived tool.

But tonight I worked the Marion local, pushing the cars into Dunn’s and Tricky Dick’s paints. The cars bang and clatter as they go together – just fine – because when I pull them out, they uncouple right at their docks, a satisfying trick. And now I’m done. I swing across the main, pick up my outbounds off the CSX interchange and roll out of town. I’ve even got two cars for Florida Chair at Old Fort behind the caboose, an easy drop. Ten fast minutes later I’m sweeping through the loop below Coleman, grinding towards Black Mountain. Once in Asheville, I dump the cut on track two then teleport over Spartanburg to run the chip train up Saluda Grade. But I’ve got to step lively; I’ve got to get the front section to the summit before 720 comes through. Natch!

Guess which effort was more satisfying.