Just a note to let you all know that we are getting hit with a horrendous ice storm (in progress). Last time this happened we were without power for 3-4 days.

If I go silent and inquiries go unanswered, I am likely in the midst of a power outage. Please let any one with a product issue or question know that I'll be back as soon as possible.

Thanks.

The lights have started flickering... don't know how much longer we'll have the go-juice to keep things going. If we can survive another 24 hours the worst will be behind us.

Apologies in advance to anyone that may be inconvenienced if I experience a prolonged power outage!

Almost thirty-six hours and not a peep from Andre. I guess he went down with the ship ...

Still kickin'! Lights flickered... but still have power!

Got to leave for work soon... but when I return will update on the devastation that has taken place over in my neck of the woods. They've been trying to get a train from Springdale to Ft. Smith since yesterday!!

The storm is history. Here in Poteau, OK, our electricity never left us. Poteau was right on the EDGE of a very extensive and severe ice storm. Though the Poteau region dodged a HUGE bullet, I will be holding hands with a chainsaw for a couple weekends or more sawing up the deadfall on our 1.3 acres of wooded land. The pine trees took the brunt of it.

The worst of the storm hit NW Arkansas. There are still extensive areas without power and it will be many more days, possibly weeks, before all power is restored in the Ozark mountain regions.

The railroad I work for, the Arkansas & Missouri, is headquartered in NW Arkansas in Springdale. The main terminal is still without power. No computer, fax, etc, access means all sorts of headaches in regards to keeping the traffic moving. Plus, unless it has happened in the past few hours, the mainline line is STILL not opened between NW AR and Ft. Smith. Litterally hundreds of trees were down across the rails. Chainsaw crews have been working since it hit on Tuesday. It is being said by the media that this is the worst ice storm to hit NW AR in over 50 years.

When this freight log-jam unclogs, we'll be covered up by cars that will be decending from NW AR to the Ft. Smith area.

BUT... all RR crews and RR personnel are A-okay and that is the key thing to be thankful for. (Though many of their homes are still without power.)

Thank GOD these things only come around every few years!!!!

Electricity is a beautiful thing to have Glad to see your surviving the fall out, I bet the next step is lots of overtime playing railroader again to catch up. The bonus is a fat wallet, how can you complain about that?

Kevin quipped:

> I bet the next step is lots of overtime playing railroader again to catch up.

You got that right. We have cars that we've picked up and stored for lack of knowing where they are to go!! The WHOLE world exists on computers now.

> The bonus is a fat wallet, how can you complain about that?

A good railroader can ALWAYS find something to complain about.

FWIW: Thought I was going to have tomorrow off. Alas... found out this evening before leaving that I am on the psgr train tomorrow. Plus, we've got to switch fraq sand when we get done with the psgr train. Sooooo... looks to be a 10+ hour day tomorrow. May hit 70 hours this week???

Good for the wallet... rough on the resolve.

Wow! I can't imagine sorting out the mess without IT-based waybill, tracing and billing applications ... Talk about the "wire being down".

Keep your head,

Steve