February 2019 Update

You know how life gets really busy (between family & work), that your hobby can't be a priority or even in focus? Well, that's how it's been since the beginning of January 2019.

On January 1, 2019, the railroad I work for took over the railroad I used to work for back in the 1980's to the 1990's (the Delaware Coast Line Railroad). This move forced me to work as an Engineer pretty much every day in January because we're shorted handed employees with the increased business. It wasn't until the beginning of February that I settled back down & worked the position my current employer hired me for, but then I had to play catch-up with all of the stuff I didn't do in January while I was running.

My family life, as always, is busy, so add that to work & that equals very little time to devote to the hobby (both doing research, which I LOVE doing, & modeling).

One thing I did notice while I was running on one of the rail lines of my former employer (the remains of the Ellendale, DE to Milton, DE line), I kinda started reminiscing of days gone by when I first started my railroading career (in 1984 to be exact) & everything was out there to be discovered. Not only did I have to learn how to “railroad” as opposed to being a railfan, but I wanted to find out the history of the rail lines I was working on. I mean, I knew they were former Conrail/Penn Central/PRR lines, but that's all I knew. I didn't know who built the railroad originally or what customers it served (except those that were still around in the 1980's & 1990's) or what jobs worked the lines or who worked those jobs & what equipment they used.

Fortunately, in time, I discovered the missing information I was looking for (it's still a work in progress though). I think I can “railroad” OK, but everyone can improve.

One thing I've noticed is that I'm focusing some of my interest on the the former PRR Milton (DE) line. We only run on two-thirds of the line now (the end of the line into Milton saw its last train around 2001 when Draper King Cole closed its doors). I still remember putting in ties & getting this railroad back into FRA Class I condition (it was Excepted Track when my former employer took over the operations). I can still remember finding old sidings, minus their switches, in the weeds in various locations. That got my young mind into thinking what was there at the time to justify putting in a siding (that had no customer there when I was there).

Either way, when you get older, I guess that's what we do – think of days gone by.

I'm hoping to get back focusing on the model railroad as February moves on. Thanks for reading!