operations

ell, it was a week full of sucking, specifically inlaws sucking cash and me siphoning water from a blown washing machine (which will also suck cash). And eyeball surgery, which made my vision a bit “off”, which sucks, too. And then there was the sucky second-guessing conversation about when, specifically, in the PM this session would take place. So I wasn’t sure if I was going to come or just sit at home and try to read anime subtitles. But I got three offers for rides out (since my driving kinda sucks right now, too) and accepted Terry B’s gracious […]

n the Tuscarora, my micro-layout, you can climb aboard the cab of an eastbound coal train. You’ll rattle out of Westly, cross Tenmile Creek, enter the Tuscarora interlocking plant, whistle at the signpost, look for orders at the tower, cross Morgan Street, loop through the long curve between Inner and Outer industrials, clear town and enter Easton. That’s your run. You will probably pass a freight train in Tuscarora, same engine, same consist (perhaps progressively shorter) each time. The run takes maybe 30 seconds. On the Lehigh, Monongahela and Ohio, you’ll board a coal train at Carbon Hill. After doing […]

o I’m sitting in the cab of trusty 4263, perhaps the cleanest engine of the SP fleet. I’ve got my cup of coffee. I’ve got my warrant out. From behind me, I can smell the rust and powdered limestone dust off the empty hoppers, bound for Hidden Spur. In the distant tower, the leverman works. The exit dwarf goes green. I reach for the throttle. And then it’s lights out as someone hits me in the back of the head with a bag full of dried track erasers. I come to on the ballast of… squinting… Martin Yard. My engines […]

ince nobody in the club watches old black&white moves from the 1940s, let me describe the trope. Generally it involves a collection of optimistic young men and women who need to raise money for their university, town or charity. “Hey, I know! Let’s put on a show!” In this age before montages, most of the movie is them getting ready, making the sets, practicing their lines, funny little bits. And then, opening night. Their big chance! All the players line up and peek through the curtains into the theater’s seating. Nothing but empty seats. “Oh no! But what about our […]