I've been working on the railroad and musing some...

[Steve Molcsan]

But I don't ever remember it being like this:

http://www.wimp.com/traintrack/

My Grandpa was an engineer on the Bessmer Lake Erie Line he
would be proud.....

[Lake Erie High Ball]

How cool is that? It's funny how I still haven't lost the taste of watching heavy equipment at work.

Thanks for the post Steve. I watched it twice.

[Bamboozle]

Concrete ties and welded rail makes for a nice ride but alas, no clackity clack!

Cool video, thanks!

[Steve Molcsan]

Timeless Journey "for Grandpa and My Dad"

On a Splendid Autumn morning floral leave seen all around

Land covered vivid beauty, in this Pennsylvania town

Light gusts blow through the branches, rail smoke is in the wind

Trees change to welcome winter , as this gentle tale begins

At a rail yard near Ross tavern , in a roundhouse house built of brick

My Grandfather starts an engine , boasting to his son she's quick.

Now Grandfathers an old timer on the Bessemer Lake Erie line

One of the finest engineers, this railway will ever find

he reaches his vest pocket for a Watch thats made of Gold

Thirty years worked on these railroads , many memories to be told

His watch approaches seven as Grandfather says it time

his Young Son can feel the goose bumps , as they roll out on the line

hitched up to a tender to ensure they'll make the run

a test ride to Ohio, My Dad along for fun

smoke thunders from the iron horse as they travel up the rail

cross a trestle on a sand pile, through plum creek they really sail

they glance off in the distance, their home in autumn glow

Grandpa pulls the handle, the mighty train whistle blows.

Grandma on the back porch, she waves because she know

they'll be home by sun down, beaming pride from head to toe

Now years have past this memory, still vivid on Dad's mind

with heart felt pride , he gives me the Gold Watch from their past time

Often I recount their journey, still vivid on my mind

cross land covered with beauty , in that splendid autumn time

I'll share this with my Young Son, a legacy to last

Our fathers timeless journey, from a splendid autumn past..

-------

Always share & be safe


Steve

[Byron Zuehlsdorff]

BEAUTIFULLY put Steve.

[nighthawk]

My granddad retired from that very same Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad locomotive works in Grove City, Pa. Steve. Many of my friends and their fathers, grand fathers worked for that shop. I too think they would be most impressed with the advancement of modern railroad technology. However I saw my own grandparents saddened at the disappearance of America's regional rail systems.

Seamless rail and concrete ties are a great safety improvement over the past technology. The replacement of creosote soaked wooden ties is much more environmentally friendly too. The modern technology not only is more cost effective but it is necessary for today's higher speeds.

Here are some B&LE sites you may like:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ble/ble.html

http://www.bessemerjunction.com/

http://members3.boardhost.com/Bessemer/

http://users.zoominternet.net/~jamieo/B&LE_Page.html

Without the hard working men and women of the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad the steel mills of Allegheny County would not have been able to supply the arsenal of democracy in the fight against the Nazis and Japanese during World War II. As the poet said, "For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail".