I don't think this has been posted anywhere else, but the person who began this thread, Philip Martin -- known to a generation of railroaders as 'Pots 'n Pans' -- just passed away. I heard about this just now. Apparently his funeral service was today. Phil Martin had an amazing 60 year career in the rail industry. I think he began as a tower operator with the Pennsylvania Railroad and wound up as a station agent with NJ Transit. I know he worked at Metuchen for quite a while and I believe his last assignment was at Middletown NJ on the North Jersey Coast Line.
I traded messages with Phil here numerous times, some of which led to discussions that continued off-list as well. I always found him to be congenial and gentlemanly, as well as an amazing source of rail knowledge and history. God Bless You Phil!