Switchman's Blog 98.5% Train Related

The Founding of the Internet
The Internet has become indispensablele to Model Train Forums, On Line Hobby Shops,
As well as a research tool for railroad history. So I began to wonder about how it began. I believe I've found the answer;

A lot of folks have claimed credit for the founding of the Internet and WWW.
A friend of mine who knows I am always seeking and a seeker of the Truth ...

Hello

For the last nine months I still haven’t been able to work on my trains. I’ve built the benchwork and I’ve created so many track plans. But every time I decide to build one, I see another I like better and start redesigning my layout.

I’ve bought tons of train stuff. But it’s just sitting in boxes and I’ve not run any trains or built any kits. I'm getting so danged darned depressed. And over the last few months I've been getting a little bored and feed up.
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Todays News or is it Yesterdays news Today. Anyway here are the headlines from the "Worlds Greatest Modelers" home town newspaper, The Jot 'Em Down Daily News. It is a uniquely good thinking paper and brings the news quickly with clear understandable headlines.

The Jot 'Em Down Daily News is located in the town of Muck City in Tattlersville County, Alabama. The meaning of the towns name is "Hog Gathering Place." The town was on the Sawokli (meaning Johnny Raccoon) ...

Lawyer and a Farmer

A lawyer gets on a train to go to London. He sits next to a poor farmer. To pass the time the lawyer decides to play a game with the guy.

"I will ask you a question and if you get it wrong, you have to pay me £1 pound. Then you ask me a question, and if I get it wrong, you get £10. You ask me a question first."

The farmer thinks for a while. "I know", he says, "what has three legs, takes 10 hours to climb up a ...

Train stories
Copyright 08-07-2012 by RFL

Todays News or is it Yesterday’s news Today. Anyway here are some stories from the "WorldsGreatest Modelers" home town newspaper, The Jot 'EmDown Daily News. It is a uniquely good thinking paper and brings the news quickly with clear understandable headlines.

Castleberry, AL Passenger Train Collision, May, 3, 1936

W. J. Quinn, newspaperman ...

Today’s News or is it Yesterday’s news today. Anyway the "Worlds Greatest Modeler's" home town newspaper, The Jot 'Em Down Daily News, Brings you the first in a series of original Alabama Train wreck stories.

The Boilling Train Wreck Of 1896

Copyright 06-21-2012 by RFL

The Rome and Decatur Railroad ran a daily passenger round trip from Birmingham to Montgomery. It assigned train number 310 to the Birmingham to Montgomery leg and train number 110 ...

As the Direct debit membership and professional development stock and credit administrator as well as the official Bin Man for the, "World’greatest Modeler" here is a tale of the WGM’s wife's, Aunt HenriettaTutwiler.

Part 2 of 2

The Ghost of My Aunt Henrietta Tutwiler
Copyright 06-02-2012by RFL

My name is Agnes Grace Magnuson. And once a month, I would ride the old Tuscumbia Railway, from Burnt Corn Alabama to Muck City,Alabama. My Aunt, ...

As the Direct debit membership and professional development stock and credit administrator as well as the official Bin Man for the, "World’s Greatest Modeler" here is a tale of the WGM’s wife's Great, Great, Great Aunt Agnes, her Uncle Andre, and the ghost that inhabited his Mother-in-law's (Theodosia) and father-in-Law’s (Zachariah) farmhouse.

Part 1 of 2.

A Train Trip to Burnt Corn
Copyright 05-20-2012 by ...

QUESTION ***** Question***** From the "World’s Greatest Modeler."

Who is the WGM? Why that’s me :moon: of course.

Now I never get tired of my model trains or working on them because I am, after all, the WGM.

But you modelers of lesser talent, skills, and attitude do. But not to worry, the WGM, That's me of course is here to help, advise, and What was that third thing? Where's my notes (I'm the WGM I don't use notes) Oh yea, guide you back onto the ...

Yes we are. Mom has taken the elevator to the penthouse. A place she deserves. And this thanksgiving there will be one empty chair.

My Mom passed away at the age of 89 years young. Two weeks before she passed, we went north to spend a week with her before the Big Guy called her home. She was born in Lucedale Mississippi and Mom, my Aunt GG, My younger brother, and myself all moved to Brooklyn NY in 1950.

The week we returned my younger brother passed from cancer. We all

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My Wife and I often make the trip from Birmingham to Irvington Alabama to visit our grand kids and our children.


We lived in the area for about 32 years and over time became familiar with most of the local legends.

The one that interested me the most was the rumors of some haunted railroad tracks off highway ninety (hgwy. 90) just outside of Theodore. I, my wife and Children crossed these tracks on a daily basis.

If you saw the movie " Close ...

In some folks opinion It may have been created in lab somewhere. And some folks believe, it was created as a specialized concoction from the sweat off a Bullfrog's, hum, lets just say his special appendages.


I believe it came from the fluids found on a planet called Galentous. For those of you who are truly seekers of the truth, Here it is. My fictional account of How I believe it all began.........


A LONG LONG TIME AGO IN A FAR AWAY GALAXY CALLED
...

I don't know if y'all have read the Railroad Man Wedding vows. If you have sorry about that.

These Railroad wedding vows were originally written by Bob Eley. I've made a few minor changes so if it's wrong it's my fault.

Dearly Beloved, We are gathered here today in accordance with the FRA, AAR, TC and other regulatory bodies to unite these two units in M.U. service. If anyone takes exception, file your grievance or get in the clear.

Do you, Groom's Name ...

Vulcan is a Birmingham (main headquarters) based Company. I don't remember the gentleman's name but he sent me the information in a large brown envelope, via the USPO. We communicated via e-mail and I believe by phone.

http://www.vulcanmaterials.com/about.asp

Vulcan Materials Company has given permission to use their copyrighted material "The Quarry Story."

Here is a link to Vulcans Quarry Story.

http://www.vulcanmaterials.com/vcm.asp?content=story#sediment ...

At 5:00 am this morning, I was awakened by my wife's cats making strange sounds and knocking stuff around and off the layout. It's under construction so all they could hurt was some WS risers and sectional tracks.

I went in to see what was happening.
I turned on the light and instead of stopping they continued chasing whatever it was. Meowing and scratching at some unknown thing. It was getting a little spooky. I called out to them. As usual they ignored me. After all they ...