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I've been a railfan for as long as I can remember. Living close to Soo's Paynesville Sub and the MNS line helped (so did having a model railroad). As a kid I was never far from trains. Something about all of that helped seal my fate; little did my parents know that they had exposed me to a disease that is impossible to cure: trains.
All through school I was a model railroader and railfan. Scale Model Supplies used to have a store in downtown Robbinsdale that was close enough to bike to in the summertime. I would spend hours there reading the old issues of Trains and Model Railroader. There used to be other hobby shops in the area, all have pretty much closed or gotten out of trains these days but it was sure nice to have them around when I was younger.
In high school I got involved with a small Australian railfan publication about Alcos worldwide. They wanted a US based correspondent to cover news in North America. I signed up and soon we were on our way to bigger and better things. Today our Alco Watch news is a regular feature in The Railroad Press magazine.
When I was a freshman at the University of Minnesota I got involved with the Hiawatha Light Rail line. As the student representative to the line I was a part of the project for three years right through the final completion. Also when I was on campus I helped start the Railroad Club. Other campuses around the country had railroad clubs so, I figured, why not us? It was a great way to spend some time, relax, get to know other railfans on campus, and play with trains. Talk about a good break from the stress of classes, exams, and the likes.... As an alumni member I'm still active and helping lend a hand in the creation of the model railroad on campus.
Today I work with railroads everyday. As a track engineer with a local engineering company we do work on railroads big and small, from little shortlines to the heavy mainlines, commuter rail to industrial rail. I do a bit of everything from surveying to design to inspections and more. With projects all over the country it is not only an interesting job, it is a chance to see places most people will never visit.
On the weekends I get a break from the track projects and trade in the mouse and monitor for wrenches and gloves and go to work at the Jackson Street Roundhouse and the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway. I'm both a brakeman and a diesel mechanic with them (though as with most volunteer operations you end up in every role at some point it seems!). We have a great crew of mechanics that keeps the working fleet in service, not to mention keeps restoration projects moving forward as well. It is amazing how trains can bring back memories for so many people. Seeing the faces of people on the train (and even those trackside at the crossings) when I'm on the crew is great. There is just something about trains that make people smile.
Folks have asked me "what is your favorite railroad?" I'm a shortline fan, there is just something about interesting locomotive fleets, pride in a job well done, good customer service, and friendly faces that always draw me to them. I'm also a railfan that likes to find industrial locomotives. Often the more obscure cousins to the mainline locomotives (and sometimes former mainline power themselves) it is always interesting to see what is working at the local grain elevator... It could be a little critter, it could be a SD9. I'm also interested in modern passenger railroading, moving thousands of people everyday by train is no easy task. But really, if it has steel wheels and moves on steel rails I'll be more than happy to get out the camera. It doesn't matter the paint scheme or location. Mix this with my love of traveling and there is a whole world of railroads out there just waiting to be photographed and ridden!
So there you have it, a bit about me. I think it is safe to say I've caught the railroad bug. I don't really care if they ever find a cure because I'm enjoying this way too much!