Ever heard the old Ozark term "runnin' around like a chicken with its head cut off" ?

Well, that's about the way I feel right now. Or, perhaps I'm an April fool... running around in circles.

Amid covering my remaining responsibilities for my current vocation, I'm also covering the bare essentials (i.e. running trains on the Waldron Sub) for my new vocation.

Since Saturday, I've already logged about 34 hours on the train... and that amongst my other vocational responsibilities. So far, the craziest was yesterday. I marked on duty about 0001 hours Wednesday... ran from Waldron to Heavener, picked up loads, back to Waldron and spotted them up... off duty at 0900 (9 AM). Run home, sleep 3 1/2 hours... tackle my other vocational duties... finished with those and home for the night at about 10 PM.

HOWEVER... come April 17th, I'll be down to one full time job.

Curiously, I actually sat down at the computer before bedtime last night and opened up the ol' Ozark Northern. Mainly, seeing as it has been weeks since in RE, I wanted to familiarize myself with the state of things. Well, while in RE... I couldn't help but work on a town for a bit (Cass, Arkansas).

This reminds me that I need to let you know that I fully intend to finish up the Ozark Northern and get it released. Obviously, it will have to wait until I have only one full time job... but the plan is to get it finished and released.

I may also go forward with the proposed Rock Island Hot Springs Branch. But that will have to wait to see just how much available time I have once in the swing of full time railroading.

Well, typed a bit longer than I anticipated, so let's wrap this one up and call it all for now.

Will chat more later!

That's good news for us "steam freaks" !

You've made my day!!!

Bob

Engineer Ming was reported saying:


But you know your having a great time with a job/career I know you've wanted to do for a long time. The handul of time I've checked it out....that Waldron line hasn't had the best hours for the employees or railfan. KCS seemed to like running that Dodger (KCS term for local) as a night crew. I can only think of twice that the train was running in daylight...and will full cloud cover I didn't even waste the film shooting the action. Really neat little branch line...if there was anthing between Heavner, OK and Waldron, Ark it would be great for a MSTS route...but thre is NOTHING for the 25+ miles between the two cities as far as eye candy and things to do for the MSTS folks. Wish you the best Andre, maybe I'll catch you and the crew out on the line some day.

Hi Zack.

Thanks for the well wishes.

With summer coming on, we'll probably begin our run very early in the morning in order to be finished up before noon. (Trying to minimize being caught by a sun kink.) We will avoid Midnight Specials if at all possible.

Once cooler/colder weather returns, it will be back to daylight hours.

Working days and then a night is not cool. Hard for me to "sleep on demand." Both our butts were dragging after that first "Midnight Special" this week.

Night time running also has its downsides. The most obvious is that we cannot keep a close eye on the train as it follows along. When running at night, typically the first indication you have something wrong is when the train goes into emergency. Not good. The damage is done by that time.

Once autumn returns, you'll have to pack your camera and some snacks and head down our way. We'll treat you right.

BTW: You would be amazed at how much was on that branch "back when", even well into the diesel years. In a word: Coal.

When I first became aquainted with this branch (late '75 early '76?), there was still a LOT of non-feed mill business in Waldron.

Off the top of the head, I can recall:

* Two or three pulpwood spurs
* Chip loading
* LP dealer
* B&B Cedar
* A feed dealer
* Waldron Furniture
* Tyson

Later!

Hey, get some shut eye