Memories and Place

Memories drive a sense of place.  Memories, to me, are a powerful motivator for life going on, and for the ups and downs and majesty and wonder of it all - and the despair that can haunt the shadows of the brightest days.

It's July of 1994, again, in this image.  Typical hot humid summer day and gray sky in New Jersey, and I am testing out my driver's license - then about 7 months old - for my first ever trip to watch trains at Ridgefield Park.  We hoped at Mark's suggestion to see some NYS&W trains there, but besides a few NS engines at rest, they were quiet.  Conrail however put on a show on the River Line.  At the end of the afternoon this train, led by SD40-2 6438, came to a stop right in front of us.  The crew got in a van and left, and so we took the opportunity for this photo.

 This image was made on slide film, and shows three 17-year-old kids having a good time.  

Life today gets complicated, but shots like this make you remember a simpler time, and remind us all that everything changes.  A good chunk of the passion behind the OC is remembering such times.  Every time has its place.

And that is ok.  

An honor, again

This is one that never gets old - seeing the Onondaga Cutoff on the cover of Model Railroader magazine!

 This is the third time I have had this honor, and each time it reminds me of the long and fascinating journey of this hobby and how it weaves into and out of life.  For me and for many railroading is in the blood, so to speak, and seeing our work be featured is a great feeling.  I hope in creating content like this that young people today can be inspired like I was when I was a child.

Life this year has been a crucible again - a fervent mix of responsibility to family, work, community, finance, and hobby, all of them intermingled and with little time to spare.  It was time to change internet providers, time for a new (to us) car, a time of banks changing hands, extra projects (even including a strike) at work while dealing with scarce funds and insecurity amongst managers, all while maintaining the house and layout.  'Life the 40's' as regular readers know is a constant theme here.  And 2025 is living up to the expectations!

With this sort of intensity we blink and weeks or months pass.  And in any case it is harder and harder to think things through or reflect on faith in others or in coming together when there is no time for it.  I am hopeful that this wonderful experience of another MR cover will help me look back on this era and be reminded that good things can come at any time.  Do the work, try to make what you are doing a bit better each time, and with a bit of luck, a new door can open.

I am grateful for the opportunity and for all the assistance and inspiration that has made the OC what it is.  I hope this continues the work of giving back!