Dear List, I have established a new list community, the InterlockingTowers list. As I am a former interlocking tower operator, I am acutely aware of the increasing amount of interest and attention being paid to the history and operation of North American railroad interlocking towers and cabins. Indeed, I am currently working on both a web site and a book about the history and operation of railroad interlocking towers. I created this list for many reasons. For one, I am aware of the increasing scarcity of operating towers in North America; indeed, many locales have no examples of this type of railroad traffic control left at all. Secondly, I felt it necessary to establish a place in which not only historical and operational data could be collected and disseminated, but where personal stories about railroaders could be assembled as well, before these stories are lost forever. I would encourage those familiar with the history, operation and humanity of the railroad tower experience to share their stories and knowledge. Those of you who know others who are familiar with towers and tower life, please communicate with those fortunate enough to have been around towers to share their remembrances with others through this medium. A bit about my "pedigree." I originally grew up in Riverdale, Illinois. I studied Architecture and Urban Planning at both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Southern Illinois University as well. After graduating from SIU in 1982, I worked for a time in architecture and civil engineering. After having been furloughed in the summer of 1983, I found a "temporary" summer position working for Amtrak as a Train Attendant. That "temporary" break became a career for me. I worked for Amtrak from 1983-1989, having been a Train Attendant (TA), Lead Service Attendant (LSA), Dining Car Steward, and Chief, On-Board Services. I met my former wife on Amtrak, as well! After having left Amtrak to be home more often, I found a job with Metra in Chicago (Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad Corp./NIRCRC), working on the Electric District (former Illinois Central Electric Commuter District) as a clerk and later a Tower Control Operator. I was qualified to work in all of ME's towers--Randolph St.; 67th Street; Kensington/115th Street; and Kensington CTC Desk. I worked there until 1992, when I moved to Minnesota, where I currently reside. Following Metra, I went to work for the Chicago & North Western Railroad as a conductor. I took the promotion to engine service barely nine months later on 02/04/99. I have been a locomotive engineer ever since. Union Pacific took over the C&NW in May, 1995. I worked for the UPRR from then until 11/98, when I took a job briefly at CSX (former Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal Railroad, based out of Barr Yard in Riverdale, IL). In March 1999, I was offered a position with Canadian Pacific Railway, working out of St. Paul Yard in St. Paul, MN. I would encourage all of you who are interested in towers and signaling, and railroading in general, to join this list and become active in our community. My door is always open as to how to make our community a better, more effective one. I would urge all of you interested in towers to join our list and please do not hesitate to contact me directly with suggestions and criticism. This list is your list! Description To collect, discuss and disseminate data, history and photographic information about railroad interlockings and towers in North America and elsewhere. Topics to be discussed will be technical, historical, operational and human-interest subjects, as well as sources of additional information and affiliation as well. For more information: http:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Community email addresses: Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Shortcut URL to this page: http://www.onelist.com/community/InterlockingTowers ------------------------------------------------------ This is the Illiana Railroad Discussion List. For more info visit http://www.railcenter.com/illiana ------------------------------------------------------
