Some of you already know that I am the supervisor of operations of the Kiski Junction Railroad.
On December 30 I will be passing the torch to my engineer/conductor Marty Schulte. (we will have to make him join to keep us updated)
The KJR will continue as it is with the passenger trains and the mill freight, and we are to receive our first inbound loads for the river terminal later tonight. (I have been after this business for 12 years). New track construction to Logansport (7 miles north) should start in the spring.
Back to the topic, we ran our last passenger trains under my supervision over the week end, a Christmas train with Snow Dog Express as its theme.
We bring our two Samoyed's to the station and let the little ones see them and pet them. A portion of the proceeds go to Orphans of the Storm, A local shelter.
We raised $729 for the shelter with the passenger rides, and $75 from the motor car rides. (a great success).
During the day I had a special surprise guest arrive from North of the border. Wayne came down to share the day with me, and then, Santa even showed up.
After the train was tucked away they gave Mary and I a surprise retirement party.
The guys got Mary a digital picture frame and a USB thumb drive. Something she has wanted for quite a while but never picked one up.
I was blessed with a couple of wonderful cars built by Wayne, one an outside braced wood box car with EG&E reporting marks[attachment=3646][attachment=3644]
The other was a wonderfully detailed model of our X29 prototype as it must have looked in the early 50's, my era.[attachment=3643]

[attachment=3649]
The fellows also presented me with a nice cash certificate for modeling needs, and a Walthers PRR woody.[attachment=3648]
They also were able to locate a pair of semi permanently coupled PRR centipedes that they know I have been wanting for years, and now are delayed by BLI for the release until next month.[attachment=3647]
It is going to be a tough act to follow. I have met many great folks over these past years, but I am looking forward to less paperwork, More modeling, and spending time with Mary and the dogs, and working with the local Ohio Samoyed rescue group.

is is one of Me, on the left, Santa, and our very special Snow Dog conductor.[attachment=3654]
The tall stranger, of course, is Wayne[attachment=3653]
The furkid in the foreground is Tootsie, our Sammie puppie, 9 months old.[attachment=3652]

It's been one hell of a great ride. Thanks to all of you
Charlie [attachment=3657][attachment=3656][attachment=3655]

The end of the Line[attachment=3658]

A BIG congratulations! My Dad was one day behind you in retiring after 42 years with Western Pacific/Union Pacific and then Amtrak.

Enjoy the retirement!

Congrats on retirement, Charley. I like samoyeds and siberians, but I think it would be cruel to have one here in So Cal. I think they need to live where it gets cold in winter. I have seen people with huskie type dogs here shave their hair off in the summer, but I'm not sure that is best for them either.

Conrats on your retirement! That last pic with the caption "End of the line" got me all choked up inside...

Okay, how cool is all this? Very cool!

Congrats on your retirement. What a nice send off.

And the visit from DocWayne and the EG&E boxcar? Again, how cool is that? Wow!

I must agree with Puddlejumper, the "End of the Line" photo is very touching.

I would love to be able to head up north and visit you guys. Maybe someday.

Again, congrats, and best wishes!

Congratulations on your retirement!

Tom

Congratulations, Charlie! I'm sorry I wasn't present for your last run!! We certainly enjoyed the day with you, Mary, and the furkids! Every time I think about the warm hospitality, and the great time we had, it makes me smile! We are so blessed to have you all for friends!
And aren't those retirement gifts just the greatest!!!

Thanks for all the replies. Keep in mind our new home is one mile from the NS Fort Wayne mainline, 15 miles from the CSX 45 miles from the BP and 75 miles from the Kiski Junction, with the Y&S also 4 miles away, so if you are in the area be sure to let me know. There is lots to see.
Charlie

Congratulations! Not a retirement - just a change of tracks.

Herc Driver Wrote:Congratulations! Not a retirement - just a change of tracks.

Lets call it "downsizing"
Charlie

Russ Bellinis Wrote:Congrats on retirement, Charley. I like samoyeds and siberians, but I think it would be cruel to have one here in So Cal. I think they need to live where it gets cold in winter. I have seen people with huskie type dogs here shave their hair off in the summer, but I'm not sure that is best for them either.

Russ, there are lots of Sammies in the South. They don't do bad if they have access to lots of water and shade. Shaving them is not a good idea as the hair does help keep them from sunburn. They are an indoor dog, so they don't mind the AC either. They have great dispositions, but do shed a lot, we even use a small plastic grass rake to get the fur off of the carpet. .
There are quite a few for adoption located in California listed on petfinders.
Charlie