Being unemployed and with a dying car means I don’t get out as much. However, I still volunteer at the Amtrak Depot, and the Union Pacific Steam train made an appearance in the area. I also attend the Job Club events in KC (as well as the occasional job interview.) Here’s what I got for March.
OK, time to get away from the political crud. I’ve got three road videos up and rolling:
I-70 from Lawrence to 435:L
I-435 from I-70 to K-10:
K-10:
A major talk show host got caught up in the debate over contraceptive coverage. Here is my somewhat whimsical thoughts on the matter.
Yesterday, I had this section, or module, of the Lawrence Model Railroad clubs HO scale layout pulled from storage. I had decorated this module for the past few years, along with, to some extent, the adjacent corner module.
This year, the club has plans to refurbish and make better use of the corner. I had no objections, since the club owns these modules, and I figured it would be an improvement to the layout as a whole.
There were no other plans for this module this year, this I asked for the module so I could refurbish it.
I dont plan on any radical changes, but I had done a hurry up type of scenicing in the past. I want to improve the quality of the scenery. I have the tools and the time.
Here are my photos for December of 2011. Most of the shots are from the newly-remodeled BNSF/Amtrak station and its environs, including two late #4 trains.
Last Saturday, I made a trip into KC to help promote the upcoming show of the Lawrence Model Railroad Club, as well as the ribbon cutting for the Platform at the Amtrak Station in Lawrence. Meanwhile, I got some shots of some road signs of interest, particularly the re-routing of US 169 in Johnson County.
Also, I have an new roadgeek video, This one of I-70 from I-470 in Topeka to the K-10 Lecompton Interchange.
Of course, where would we be without video…
I-70 from East Lawrence to Lecompton and K-10 from I-70 to US 59
US 59 from the Douglas/Franklin County Line to K-68
Amtrak extra 71 east.
For being without a day job, it seems I’ve been rather busy….
October brought a pair of “Special” Amtrak trains, and a new interchange on K-7 in Johnson County.
I’m sure there’s been more than a fair share of antics about railfans being scrutinized for, well, being railfans. This weekend, I bring to you a couple of stories
First off, on Saturday, there was a young person with 2 suitcases, a backpack, and several smaller bags (including a sewing machine). There is no checked baggage at Lawrence, and the carry-on limits is two bags (though Amtrak does not count purses or laptop bags against the carry on limit. I indicated that he will need to speak with the conductor; however, it was not likely that they would be able to accommodate him. He thought he could pay an additional fee. In fact, the conductor, Joann, did refuse to board him, advising that he should go to Kansas City (which *does* have checked baggage)
This afternoon, I returned to fix some lights that I had noticed were burned out. When I got there, there was someone else already there. He presented his ticket – he had been kicked off #3 last night and either came back in the station through a door that was inadvertently unlocked. After consulting with Carey Manard-Moody (the Depot Redux chair, who greets #4 on Sundays), I advised him that he would need to come back at 11. Fortunately, he left on his own volition.
Saturday morning, I woke up early to open the Lawrence Depot and Greet the eastbound Southwest Chief, as I have occasionally done as a volunteer. It was the first time since the new signs were installed and turned on that I had done so. After the train left and the lights were turned off, I headed to Pomona, on the BNSF line in Franklin County. At that location, I saw a whopping 10 trains in all, including 8 trains during the 8 O’clock hour.
I did not get a good pic of two of the trains, but I was able to snag shots of the other 8, plus Saturday’s Chief at Lawrence.
