Looking back
Posted by Lou on Dec 31, 2008
As the year passed by I am looking back to my time with the German Railroad back in the 80’s. There were good times. I remember one of my first shifts in the Yard. Just started a few day’s before and they put me on the night shift Helper. The Yard Dispatcher put’s you everywhere, you go from A to B (all in the Yard). Since I was the new guy on the shift it was my duty to bring some Beer to help the Shift pass by. I didn’t want to be cheep, so on top of the 12 pack of Beer I put some hard core Schnaps. This Schnaps comes close to the 100% Alcohol level – perhaps it makes you even blind.
After a little sit in – you might want to call it Job Briefing – the Beer was nearly gone. I had to go to the Departing Rails and make a little set out. Easy job: Talk to the Engineer, made arrangements with the Dispatcher. I walked down the train to the cut out and made it. Jumped to the next track and gave the Engineer the Signal to proceed forward with my Hand latern. Worked fine and after 30 minutes the set out was made and the train ready to leave.
On my way back I’d noticed a little bit trouble near the office. My Co-workers are running around the Building with Flash lights in their hands. “What’s going on ?” my question. “We are looking for Jim, he stepped out to water some plants (pee), but he is not back. He has to work on the Train 54211.” “Don’t worry”, I said, “Since I am already cold, let me handle the Train. Make sure you leave me some Schnaps, it’s going to snow and I will be cold when I am back”. I tried to impress my Co-workers with my willingness to work extra jobs – I did not care about the Schnaps. Just sounded cool – wanted to be in the Gang. So I left and worked with the Train. Don’t have to mention that that 54211 is the worst train on the shift; don’t have to mention they didn’t tell me.
After 2 hours I went back to the Office looking forward to sit next to the oven and get the snow of my Helmet. It really began to snow and there was a thick layer of the white stuff between the rails. Again, Flashing lights around the Office. “We can’t find Jim. He is missing now since 3 hours. Help searching.” Grumpf, just back from 2 jobs, freezing my behind off, I joined the Search group looking for Jim. After nearly 2 hours we finally found him – behind the Hump. He was laying down on the ground and we started to fear the worst. His body was coverd with a thick layer of snow and only the Bottle opening was sticking out marking his place in the snow. The Schnaps-Bottle was empty, he was full. Good thing that alcohol keeps fluids away from freezing – I am sure this Blood was full of it. That might saved his life. For me it was a hard night without any sleep. For him, a very short one with a lot of sleep.
I am missing the good old Railroad times 
Railfax Report
Posted by Lou on Dec 31, 2008
A word from Mark Twain
Posted by Lou on Dec 28, 2008
Mark Twain
“A railroad is like a lie you have to keep building it to make it stand.”
Mark Twain
Back where I belong ?
Posted by Lou on Dec 27, 2008
Another call from the RR. “You have been notified …..”
You know what will follow. A more or less friendly Person is telling you that’s time again to worry about your future. Here I am again, furlough with over 40 guys from my Station. Can there be a better start into the new Year ? Jumping around the Christmas tree stopped and we are back to reality.
Railfax Report
Posted by Lou on Dec 27, 2008
The Force
Posted by Lou on Dec 26, 2008
The Force
The Force is not with me. The Force is now my Railroad carrier. It’s going to be on the Dark Site. More and More. As a little Stormtrooper I am I can feel the Dark Site grabbing at me and sending me to the Colonies called “Furlough”. It’s an outpost far away from everything where nobody want’s to be. After a few month on that Planet you are going to loose the feeling for Reality and how it is to work on an Imperial Cruiser. I am not part of the Revolution anymore. The UTU Rebellion is giving me a hand and tries to show me the good Force. Will I be able to resist or is it already to late ? The future will show. Please Mr. Dark Young, don’t show me your Power. Still I am with the Empire…..
Christmas is over – no change
Posted by Lou on Dec 26, 2008
Last week I got called back to the board. What a joy. I was getting ready to work …. charge my Radio, get the Rules updated, pack my backpack.
After 3.5 hours later another call from my carrier. “Can I speak to my Lou ?” My answer was not like always “That’s Me” because I’d know what’s next. Instead I yelled into the Phone “You will not tell me I am bumped. I am furlough over 6 month, 3.5 Hours before you called me back and you are NOT going to tell me I am without work again.”
It got really still on the other side but after a while “I am so sorry Mr. Lou, but you are bumped. Have a nice Christmas !”
The world is mean and heartless ! Now I am bumped again and now I am bumped.
