Happy Thanksgiving!

Believe it or not, this is the third Thanksgiving for Oil-Electric. The notion of writing a blog, running this long, is something I never planned. It just happened.

Coming from a long career in audio-visual communication, I got frustrated with the Worlds Number One Posting site. It’s fine for their website model. But that format just wasn’t the right fit to allow me to “express” myself.

I was airing my frustration to someone who recommended “blogging” as being the perfect outlet for my creativity. I discovered a blog is whatever you want it to be. Self-publishing made simple!

Ernest Hemmingway, make room!

Now, with more than 400 articles written, I must be offering something appealing to attract more than 36,000 visitors, with 91,400 individual page views, averaging just over 100 readers per day!

My sister and I were brought up to celebrate Thanksgiving every day, not just during the official holiday. So I would have to say that one of the many things I am grateful for is this blog and its readers.

Because, one of the bugaboos about retirement is a sense of not being “important” or “contributing” as when employed. The blog has been the perfect antidote to counter that negativity. I enjoy the challenge of researching material; writing - striving for accuracy and clarity, presenting material I hope people will find interesting to read.

And it’s been the perfect outlet for sharing my modest railroad photo collection. Several readers have asked me if I have a “favorite” photograph. Yes I do. While it isn’t dramatic, it evokes a rush of memories and feelings about my early days of “railroading.” And it captures for me, the essence of three years living in Prince Rupert.

Realizing I only have a few months left before we move back to Seattle, I begin to focus on capturing memory shots. This was my favorite spot, out at the Car Barge Loading Bridge. It was on this stretch of track where freighters began winding up.


I was 14 years old when I snapped this shot south of Prince Rupert, at Mile Post 118.5 on the Skeena Subdivision. I call this shot “Running Out the Slack.” It was taken in late evening, August 4 1959. Fourth Class Freight 922 drifting eastward out of Prince Rupert with 9700 tons. Pulling at a slow speed, 567C’s issue an anxious, raspy exhaust.

Built by GMD in London, Ontario, 9116 was built in November 1952. Her companion, 4807, rolled off the erection floor in October 1953.

When the crew car clears the yard lead, the conductor will signal the engineer with two short blasts of the communication whistle. The engineer responds, sending two long blasts into the evening. The anxiety of the motors changes to a commanding roar as the throttles are nudged in steps to run eight. Time Freight 922 has cast off into the darkening wilderness, along the Skeena River to Pacific, 118.5 miles to the east.

A trainman gives me a friendly wave, and then pulls up the cupola window settling in as the crew car gently rocks from side to side down the line. Momentarily the drumming of the engines fade. There is a deafening silence. A lonely feeling as darkness advances. There is a chill in the air and I pick up the pace walking between the rails and home.

I wished I worn a jacket.