December 13, 2004 - Today We're Running on Empty
Just like your automobile, locomotives need to get refueled periodically. And contrary to what some Yardmasters and Trainmasters seem to believe, these things don't run forever between fill ups. They certainly don't run on air either. Over the years I have run them out of fuel. I am not alone in this predicament either. Probably anybody who has been railroader, particularly an Engineer, for any length of time has at least one or two stories of running out of fuel; most likely more.

December 1, 2004 - Today It Is The Running of the Santa Train
Today's topic title (How's that for some unplanned alliteration?) may have you all thinking of Ernest Hemmingway and his profile on the running of the bulls. While today's topic is unrelated to that breed of bull, I'm sure there will plenty of other bull running amongst the crew and elves once again on this year's Santa Train.

October 18, 2004 - This Time We Look At It From Another Angle
I have written about all of them in previous years but this year we will approach the topic of train/motor vehicle collisions from yet another angle; from the view of the driver involved. In this case it is from perspective of a driver that survived one.

October 7, 2004 - This Time We Take The Whiz Quiz
Recently I "won the lottery" as it were and my assignment was required to submit to a random drug test. Each railroad handles the manner in which the random selection works. I will outline two different methods employed by two different railroads and also go over the steps and procedures of the test.

August 30, 2004 - This Time We Enjoy That New Car Smell
I’m sure that many of you will agree there’s nothing like that new car smell; that combination of all new materials strategically enhanced with that fragrant aroma that plays upon the conscious and subconscious. Brand new locomotives also have a “new car” smell as well. However, it is not quite the same as your car, truck or SUV.

August 11, 2004 - Today, It’s a Study of Railroaders and Politicians
With a topic like this, you might be thinking that we’re going to look at how the rail industry hob knobs with politicians to achieve desired results with regards to issues the industry faces. But alas, you are wrong again. Instead, we are going to look at a comparison of some the antics and shenanigans that some railroaders have pulled off over the years. Some of these mirror what politicians have done worldwide.

July 14, 2004 - Today We Study "Those Fabulous 59'ers"
Today's theme is not about some legendary high school football or basketball team. Nor is it about some Do Whop band from the 50's or early 60's. It is about railroaders that last 59 days or less on the railroad before washing out.

May 20, 2004 - Today We Do Another Study in Cranial Rectal Inversion
After the intensity of last week's column, I decided it was time to take a look at some of the events that occur without tragic results this week. Nobody was injured in any of the following episodes. However, pride was decimated.

May 13, 2004 - This Time We Do a Study of When Things Go Horribly Wrong
I have wanted to write a piece on today's topic for quite some time, but have been saving it for what seems to be ever. Today's lesson is a true reality check into what terrible situations can occur within the rail industry.

May 6, 2004 - I Go To Pieces
No, unfortunately today's theme is not derived from a great oldie by the late Patsy Cline. Nor is it a story of me coming unraveled at the seams, although a few people may have a few comments on that issue. This time it is train separations that we'll discuss.

April 23, 2004 - Today it is Part Two of Options and Alternatives
In part two of this lesson we will focus more upon some of the internal options. Most of these are options located within the cab itself.

April 13, 2004 - Today We Look at Options and Alternatives
Locomotives come in many different models and designs. With these different models come various options. Some options are clearly visible to the naked eye and trackside observer. Others are visible to the Locomotive Engineer and crew. Still others are only noted by the mechanical forces which maintain the locomotives. With both parts of this lesson we are going to study some of the options available to the railroads with regards to locomotives.

March 26, 2004 - Today We Muse Over a Few More Characters of the Game
Being that it has been awhile since I've done one of these little tributes to some of the folks I've worked with over the years, I figured it was about time to present a few more of them. So from the collection of some of the most colorful and unusual people I've ever met anywhere comes a few more for your reading pleasure. And of course, none of the names, railroads or locations will be mentioned to protect the guilty.

March 19, 2004 - Today, This Is A Recording
The aviation industry has been using in flight event recorders, known affectionately as the "black box" for years. Although the box is actually bright orange in color to make it easier to find in the event of a crash, it is called the black box just the same. These recorders record what the flight crew was doing with regards to all the controls of the plane. For years to a lesser extent, the railroad industry has followed suit applying different types of recording devices to locomotives.

March 4, 2004 - Today We Play With Blocks
Play with blocks you say? They pay you all that money to go to work and play with blocks? Aren't you just a little old for that? Yes, we play with blocks and yes, they pay us for this.

February 27, 2004 - Today We Are Playing With Dynamite
If you're old enough to remember Jimmy Walker's character "JJ" on the TV show "Good Times," you'll recall that he used to use the word dynamite far too frequently. And he always said it as "DI-NOOOO-MITE!!! I didn't like him, the show or that stupid way he spoke this word. Fortunately, this column is not about that. Nor will it be about the explosive material that brings down old buildings and bridges or is used by those nut job screwballs performing those suicide bombings.

February 19, 2004 - Today It Is a Little More on Old Man Winter, Or Perhaps We Call This a Real Snow Job
In our last exciting episode I discussed the bitter cold weather and how it wreaks havoc on the rail industry. This time we are going to deal with a little snow. Well actually, were going to deal with a lot of snow. Let's make that tons of snow. While a little bit of snow usually doesn't pose much of a threat to railroading, when we begin to get significant accumulation of that powdery white stuff, it can make the most fluid operation go straight down the toilet.

February 5, 2004 - Today, Old Man Winter Rears His Head
Yes gang just in case you haven't noticed, it is wintertime in North America. Now contrary to the belief of some railroad managers, this is not the very first time winter has ever occurred. But from personal experiences in my twenty-five plus years of railroading and stories recounted to me by friends at other railroads, you would think this wintertime thing was something all new, just invented.

January 30, 2004 - This time, It's What Trips From Hell Are Made Of
Oftentimes our trips begin favorably only to go down the toilet somewhere down the road. In other instances, the trip starts out poorly and just continues the downward spiral from there. The trip I will discuss today will be the latter of these two situations.

January 22, 2004 - In This Lesson, Time Has Come Today
The theme of today's topic sounds like the title to an old Chambers Brothers song from some thirty-five or so years ago. Trust me though while dealing with time, this lesson won't be of a musical nature. Instead, we will deal with the timetable. And as a special bonus visual aids are being included to assist us with today's lesson.