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

[NW Mailing List]

Last night I had the pleasure of "Takin' Twenty" with five of the Brethren
and Friends of the Virginian Railway. We signed a Happy Birthday card for
former VGN Yard Brakeman James Economy.  James is a very colorful fellow
who loves to talk about the old VGN.  He is 87.


For Show and Tell  I took the August 2016 "Trains". magazine.  Page 18
shows NS 9930 demonstrating what super elevation is, by taking a curve at
track speed near Brookfield , WI.  Page 6 is an article "Where is coal
going" which explains how the decline of transporting coal is accelerating.
 (Note: remember this in November when you vote).  Page 45 has a photo of a
double header near one of our National Parks in the 1950's. Raymond East,
 former VGN hogger , said "They need a new Fireman on that train...too much
black smoke." Page 41 shows the coaling Tower (retired in place) in
Bluefield that was build in 1951-1952 and Page 63 teases us with the
September article that is coming up from "a Virginian Railway veteran".


The Jewel from the Past, like those in an Elgin RR "Father Time" size 16
with 24 hour dial, with winding indicator comes from March 5, 2009:  "Rufus
Wingfield told a story about an investigation held at South Yard when some
paint came up missing from the Freight Station.  Later it was discovered
that while this investigation was being held, some paint brushes were also
'walked off'".,


The ebay report this time has he following VGN RWY items sold:  Embossed
tall globe Adlake lantern for $1,000.00; Package of 12 VGN RWY pencils for
$15.49; A trust plate off FM Train Master #53 for $173.50 and a September
1, 1937 Public VGN Time Table for $31.00.


I told the Brethren about the Roanoke Chapter NRHS Board having their first
meeting in the newly restored VGN Station in Roanoke, on Tuesday night.  We
stayed for the fireworks fourth of July display that had been postponed
from Monday night, because of lightening.  I got several photos of the new
station with fireworks in the background.  I have posted one on this site
under "Skip's Photos."


Then there's this:  There was an ole man from Moneta,

                            who lived by the tracks with Juanita.

                            He made his pig sty outta tin.

                            She named his prized sow INK,

                            Though not for the awful stink,

                            But because INK was always gettin outta the pen!


Time to pull the pin on this one!


Departing Now from V248,


Skip Salmon


DCXI




__._,_.___
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://pairlist6.pair.net/pipermail/nw-mailing-list/attachments/20160707/4cf5d0ff/attachment.html>