D
Deleted member 26393
Guest
Howdy doo; it was a suggestion from @Matt Derrick that all new members introduce themselves so I will. I don't generally join forums or talk much because I'm a consummate lurker, but what the hell.
I've been into steam power and trains for many a year, but I can't really say I'm a foamer. I have a deep interest in any old technology and would rather pore over blueprints for offbeat steam designs like L.D. Porta and Prof. Stumpf than sit by a crossing with a tripod and get a stiffy in my old-man khaki pants when a CSX GP38-2 on its way from Mount Fuckensuck towards Shithouse Falls rolls past with a load of toilet paper. No disrespect to the railfan community, but I'm more into tech than photography.
I was under the (misplaced) illusion that train hopping was old news, and was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. Watched some of Hobo Stobe's videos, read a lot of posts from Huckstah and Tall Sam Jones on Reddit, found this website. I just can't stop reading it; I love to learn about the other side of society, far from where I am in my sanitized suburban world, and the pictures and the road stories and the whole life of catching out. I also really admire everybody's adhesion to the old hobo code, watching out for creepos, helping each other out, keeping an eye out for shady people.
I'll be the first to say I doubt I'll ever hop a train. I would be worse than an oogle, because an oogle at least shows up to the yard. I'm 41, I'm fat, I can't run for shit and I have that innocent "Who Me?" face that just looks guilty when committing the slightest infraction. About the boldest thing I ever did was sneak out of the house when I was 14 at like 2 in the morning and I felt like I'd just boosted the Hope Diamond when I made it back and never got caught. A holy innocent, a legend only in his own mind. I'm lamesauce. Also I have a wonderful wife and two sweet kids and a job that pays me far more than an ijit with a 2-year automotive degree should be making. So permit me, if you will, to live vicariously a little. To imagine the clatter of a switch crossing under you as the grainer you're in rolls out of the yard and you're lighting up a smoke and cracking a beer across a broad stretch of Nowhere with 300 miles to KC and not a care in the world.
So yeah, I'm not gonna be asking anybody for the CCG, lol.
But I live near the Norfolk Southern Melvindale Yard and I hear those road switchers clanging and banging at night, and I can't sleep until I hear a Nathan Airchime blowing a crossing signal. I love to hear the stories, and if I can't find any info I might ask here and there, particularly if anybody has ever caught out of Detroit, what it was like, some of your adventures. Otherwise this is probably the most wordy you'll see me.
What else? I work in environmental testing so I get to damage stuff for a living. I'm a mechanic by training, love to tinker with stuff, do most all of my own home improvements, I'm an ordained minister (mail-order), officiated a few weddings, and I'm a licensed ham so I'll probably be getting out my old Baofeng UV-5R and listening to the rail chatter more. I'm trying to get rid of a lot of crap and my hobby as of late is collecting and restoring old pressure lanterns. Once a week I do standup comedy at a local watering hole, because it's remarkably therapeutic to spend 7 minutes a week telling dick and fart jokes and getting that rush when a joke lands right. Sure beats doing weddings.
I'm glad to have found this place, and I wish you all safe travels.
I've been into steam power and trains for many a year, but I can't really say I'm a foamer. I have a deep interest in any old technology and would rather pore over blueprints for offbeat steam designs like L.D. Porta and Prof. Stumpf than sit by a crossing with a tripod and get a stiffy in my old-man khaki pants when a CSX GP38-2 on its way from Mount Fuckensuck towards Shithouse Falls rolls past with a load of toilet paper. No disrespect to the railfan community, but I'm more into tech than photography.
I was under the (misplaced) illusion that train hopping was old news, and was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. Watched some of Hobo Stobe's videos, read a lot of posts from Huckstah and Tall Sam Jones on Reddit, found this website. I just can't stop reading it; I love to learn about the other side of society, far from where I am in my sanitized suburban world, and the pictures and the road stories and the whole life of catching out. I also really admire everybody's adhesion to the old hobo code, watching out for creepos, helping each other out, keeping an eye out for shady people.
I'll be the first to say I doubt I'll ever hop a train. I would be worse than an oogle, because an oogle at least shows up to the yard. I'm 41, I'm fat, I can't run for shit and I have that innocent "Who Me?" face that just looks guilty when committing the slightest infraction. About the boldest thing I ever did was sneak out of the house when I was 14 at like 2 in the morning and I felt like I'd just boosted the Hope Diamond when I made it back and never got caught. A holy innocent, a legend only in his own mind. I'm lamesauce. Also I have a wonderful wife and two sweet kids and a job that pays me far more than an ijit with a 2-year automotive degree should be making. So permit me, if you will, to live vicariously a little. To imagine the clatter of a switch crossing under you as the grainer you're in rolls out of the yard and you're lighting up a smoke and cracking a beer across a broad stretch of Nowhere with 300 miles to KC and not a care in the world.
So yeah, I'm not gonna be asking anybody for the CCG, lol.
But I live near the Norfolk Southern Melvindale Yard and I hear those road switchers clanging and banging at night, and I can't sleep until I hear a Nathan Airchime blowing a crossing signal. I love to hear the stories, and if I can't find any info I might ask here and there, particularly if anybody has ever caught out of Detroit, what it was like, some of your adventures. Otherwise this is probably the most wordy you'll see me.
What else? I work in environmental testing so I get to damage stuff for a living. I'm a mechanic by training, love to tinker with stuff, do most all of my own home improvements, I'm an ordained minister (mail-order), officiated a few weddings, and I'm a licensed ham so I'll probably be getting out my old Baofeng UV-5R and listening to the rail chatter more. I'm trying to get rid of a lot of crap and my hobby as of late is collecting and restoring old pressure lanterns. Once a week I do standup comedy at a local watering hole, because it's remarkably therapeutic to spend 7 minutes a week telling dick and fart jokes and getting that rush when a joke lands right. Sure beats doing weddings.
I'm glad to have found this place, and I wish you all safe travels.