the train

[rdking647]

[elleng]

1. Cool. Where you at, rdking?

[rdking647]

2. austin texas

[elleng]

5. Is the pic in a yard? (I assume it must be.)

If so, which yard?
Curious. Did work concerning railroads for 25+ years.

[rdking647]

6. its at the amtrak station in taylor (a suburb of austin)

its got a few siding there and an amtrak platform,not sure if it would be called a yard

[elleng]

7. 'Siding' is good enough. Thanks.

[elleng]

10. How many axels on the engine?

(Engineer friend wants to know.) And how many horsepower? Transmission hydraulic or electric?

THANKS!

[rdking647]

12. absolutely no idea :)

[Fuddnik]

19. They don't have axels.

They have electric traction motors that provide power to the wheels.

And, I never operated that particular model, so I have no clue as to HP.

[Gore1FL]

8. I was with UP for just under 15. -- Left in 2004.

Which one did you work for, if you don;t mind my asking?

[elleng]

9. Hope you don't mind that I worked for

the Interstate Commerce Commission, and later w law firms opposing UP in a couple of mergers! At ICC, I was heavily involved in their big merger cases.

[Gore1FL]

22. I wish more people opposed the SP merger... LOL

I started smoking again during that merger and didn't quit again 13 years later...

I really am proud that I worked there. I am not sorry I left. It was frustrating, because we'd just about get things going gangbusters, and they'd decide it was time to cut more jobs and make the rest of us work more at the same levels.

I didn't accept a transfer when my position moved to Omaha. If they hadn't moved, I would have died a railroader. If they hadn't moved my last statement might have been verified.

[elleng]

23. With you, Gore!

My experience in those matters has provided a rich background for my approaches to political/economic/social matters ever since. Did what I could to get useful conditions imposed.

[Fuddnik]

11. I spent 31 on River Terminal in Cleveland.

Left at the beginning of 2002.

[rdking647]

13. i own stock in UP. does that count :)

[elleng]

14. Sure, and I may too, down the road a bit.

Portfolio financial advisor prepared for me contains some UP. Was surprised to see it!

Haven't followed them in recent years. I assume they're doing well. Have you looked at BNSF?

[rdking647]

16. BNSF is now part of berkshire hathaway

warren buffet bought it in 2009

[elleng]

18. Right, of course! Forgot!

That's what I get for retiring!

[Little Star]

3. There is just something about trains that I like. Thanks!

[Scuba]

4. Nice work. Thanks for posting. n/t

[OxQQme]

15. As a child of 14, or so, STEAM engines

caused me and my 'brave' buds to go down to the Southern Pacific main north/south line that ran though the San Fernando Valley and stand as close as those pics of the UP diesels as they thundered by at main line speeds.
Only they looked like this:



Once in a while two of them were ganged together for hauling heavy freight.

[rdking647]

17. i wish I could find a steam engine around here to photograpgh

[MyOwnPeace]

20. Try this site:

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/lists/

Good luck!

[rdking647]

21. cool thanks. Ill check it out