"Takin' Twenty" with the Virginian Brethren by Skip Salmon

[NW Mailing List]

Last night I had the pleasure of "Takin' Twenty" with seven of the Brethren
and Friends of the Virginian Railway. We celebrated the upcoming birthday
of former VGN Engineer Raymond East, who turns 90 next Tuesday.  Raymond
was born in Altavista, VA and grew up working for his Dad who ran a
business in Altavista hauling freight from the Virginian and Southern train
stations.  He has 2 daughters and four grandchildren.  He was hired on the
VGN in Victoria, VA December 15, 1951 after VGN "cinder dick" Herbert
Bailey told him "they needed some Firemen in Victoria".  Raymond was
promoted to Engineer in 1957 and retired in 1986 from Norfolk Southern with
35 years service (8 on the VGN).  He has told us many stories of firing the
big and little steam on the VGN.  When asked what was the worst memory
while on the VGN, he recalled one trip from Victoria to Roanoke when he got
a cinder in his eye and was miserable "until I got to Roanoke to the Doctor
who got it out!"  He liked all the VGN steam engines but "those 500s and
900s were the easiest to fire".  "The FM Train Masters were 'smelly' and my
worst locomotive was on the 'W' side 'hands down'...the Alcos, " they made
great steam engines, but the diesels weren't made for a human to operate".


 The ebay report this time has the following VGN items sold:  VGN Norfolk
Division Timetable #21 5-2-48 for $67.66; New River Timetable #21 5-45
$57.66; VGN RWY H. Reid book $30; VGN RWY Patrolman badge $250; VGN RY
Special Agent badge of William A. Lafferty $250; VGN RY CO 1931 westbound
routing guide $19.95.


 I told the Brethren about Norfolk Southern announcing their purchasing 100
former Union Pacific SD9043MACs.  These EMD locomotives were put in service
with 4300 horsepower engines with the intention of having a 6000 horsepower
engine replacement.  The single diesel  6000 horsepower idea didn't
"fly"...too many eggs in one basket etc.   NS will call them SD90MACs and
run them after EMD "overhauls" them as 4300 hp.  They will be numbered on
NS as 7230-7329.  The Brethren had no problem with  the concept of having
one 6000 horsepower locomotive; after all the VGN EL-2b sets were 6800!


 The Jewel from the Past, like those in a Wyler Incaflex 21 jewel with a
lifeguard case, railroad approved with hacking feature, is from February
14, 2008:  "The Brethren talked about VGN Conductor Ernest 'Pap' Stone once
taking home a small pig when they were removed from stock cars for feeding
and watering.  From that time on,  'Pap' was bombarded with pig and pork
chop jokes.  Rufus told about Conductor Charlie Green who boarded at a
house on Maple Ave.  Ruf said 'he lived on the fourth floor but if he was
at home, you could smell his feet on the first floor'.  Another VGN
Conductor 'Dirty Mac' McDermit almost never washed his clothes much, and
was mistaken for a hobo on several occasions. VGN Car Peck Brooks was
greasy all the time and Ruf said 'he would put gloves ON to eat his lunch'".


 Landon Gregory brought several of his pocket watches for him and Gordon
Hamilton to show and tell.  He also went to his pick up truck to retrieve a
large book on pocket watches.  The Brethren were given a class in Railroad
Approved watches....


 Then there's this:  The airline industry is in the news a lot lately,
especially with the charges for each and every service they render, so:
 "Heard on a Southwest Airline flight- Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to
smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing and if you can
light 'em, you can smoke 'em."


 Time to pull the pin on this one!


 Departing Now from V248,


 Skip Salmon


 DXXXVI
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