Tom's Jamaican Railroad Adventure

[Tom]

We are on day 11 of a 30 day trip and are having a blast. We are recertifying 28 Brakemen and Engineers and training 5 new hire Brakemen and 8 new hire Engineers. The first few days, they had us lodging at the "Versailles Hotel" in MayPen Clarendon. That place sucks. What a dump. It wasn't very nice bat all. In fact, it was a run down filthy mess. That was only for a few days though, then they moved us for the rest of the time into the "Halse Hall Great House", which is a Jamaican National Land Mark built in the 1600's by the British when they conquered Jamaica way back when. Nowadays, it is owned by Jamalco (Alcoa subsidiary) and used to house guests of the company. Man Woody, you wouldn't believe this place. It is an island resort. I keep expecting to hear "Tattoo" yell out "The plane Boss! The plane!!". Man, what a BEAUTIFUL place. The people are the friendliest I have ever seen, the beaches are gorgeous. You can see the bottom of the Carribbean until about 200 feet out! I think that is where the color Teal comes from. Just pretty.

These guys are railroaders though! VERY good at what they do, but not taking it too sseriously right now. We had to chew them out (and so did their boss) for goofing off today after one almost fell off the engine. I was not a happy camper and don't like having to get nasty like that, but it is all good. We have one young guy named Howard that takes REAL good care of us in the rail dept., he reminds me of "Sanka" from the movie "Cool Runnings". He's funny! We tell jokes and have a great time, but he helps us out alot and does a lot of translating of their cultures for us. WHen I get back to the US, I am going to send him a nice big poster of the Union Pacific 3985 Steam Engine and UP Steam crew hat, he's fascinated by US railroading. Especially "the dragons" as he calls our old steam engines. He's certainly earned that!

Here is a link to ALL of the photos I have taken, some even include the equipment, I just can't take too many detailed shots around the plant.

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Talk with ya guys soon.