HELLO AGAIN MY TRAINBOARD FRIENDS!!!! Sorry for the long absence, but I am getting settled into my new home now, and today got internet hooked up, and you are the first to know it! I'm going to keep it brief, as I am leaving for work, but just wanted everyone to know I was back on-line, and to get ready for some really great stuff. I've really missed you guys! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Jerry, Great to have you back have missed you and your classes, I think we would all like to hear about the new railroad you are working for and your new position Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Boy am I glad to see you. You have been sorely miseed, for my part. Congrats on the wamer climate. (I am always in favor of that!) Just please, please do not take the old lessons down. I still have a few more to go. Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Really glad to see you back, Jerry!!! Have you been introduced to grits yet??? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Looking forward to all kinds of neat info! The new company, and more! Boxcab E50 Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Good to have you back Jerry I'll bet there are lots of goodies in store for us Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
For those that don't know, I have relocated to Gadsden AL, and have went to work for OmniTRAX. I was hired as an Engineer to help with the start-up of OmniTRAX newest railroad, the Alabama and Tennessee River Railway. This is a great railroad! Power is ex-SP SD45's, SD40-T2's, SD45-T2's,one SD40 and ex-CN and CSXT GP38's, and GP40-2's. We even just got and ex-SP GP20. The mainline run leaves Gadsden, and travels 90 miles to Birmingham, where we interchange with CSXT. The run goes over a part of the Appalachain mountains, with grades in excess of 2.5%. It is a very challenging run, switching from power to dynamics constantly. There are several slide fences, rock cuts, over 50 bridges, and 3 tunnels. Power is usually 3-4 6 axles, and 80-140 cars. 64 car unit grain trains also are called once a week to run from Birmingham to Gadsden. Last month, I was given the job of Designated Supervisior of Locomotive Engineers. I was honored that they gave me the position, and it has kept me busy training new Engineers, and qualifying them. Plus, I am still running road trains. This is going to be one of the finest shortlines in America. (Teaser inserted here.)
Sure beats the scenery in NE ohio, eh? Glad to hear you made it ok, and are enjoying yourself! Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Do they have a website? Or is this their website? Grain trains in Gadsen? Are they hauling corn or what? Not wheat? Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
i am originally from north alabama (jasper). i spent a lot of time in industrial sales and dump trucking from huntsville to hokes bluff with gadsen and guntersville in between. my wife and i have talked of retiring to guntersville (15 years or so) can't wait for so great photos and by the way corn meal cooked in water (grind may vary) on stove top: "pollinta (sp?)" in italy "corn meal mush" in the mid-west "grits" in the south we just have different names for it. david Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
Lookee what I found....Alabama & Tennessee River Railway. Do the ATN tracks connect with the NS tracks from the north just east of the Birmingham station, or do they connect somewhere else? [ April 15, 2005, 08:28 AM: Message edited by: Hytec ] Copyright 2008 Jerry DeBene
