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!
