Your Bio's

LAST EDITED ON Nov-01-04 AT 02:04 AM (EDT) by Macster (moderator)

Stopped for the evening in Bowie Md at the inlaws. On the way down, I had a thought, a way of us getting to know others better. So I came up with a Bio thread for anyone intrested. Dry not to make it too long so others won't loose focus. I'll get it started.I was born in Maryland in Nov. 1973, and lived there up until 2000, spending most of my life in the suburban Washington DC area of Montgomery County. I graduated from Damascus High School is in 1992, and upon turning 21, I went out and got my CDL and in August 1996, I was on the road as a truck driver.I drove cross country for Hoffman Transport off and on for a few years, going from Maryland to Californai weekly with another driver. We could do a turn in as short as 4 days, though normally 5 days. From 1997 to 1999 I drove for Landair Transport out of thier Columbus Ohio terminal. I loved it there, mostly doing Fedex airport to airport runs, and Staples and Big Lots accounts. I left there in 1999 and spent my last year driving for Hoffman Transport. On Oct. 31, 2000, I was in a rollover accident west of Nashville Tn, rolling ther truck 7 times. Somehow, despite not having a seatbelt, I walked away, all be it with a broken bone in my back, which still bothers me today.I met my wife in 1997. She was a Lt in the Army, and shortly thereafter, a Capt, and now on Dec 1st, a major. We married in April 1999, and spent our honeymoon in the truck, which was pretty cool, as Landair sent us to Disney World for a few days. A few weeks later, and she took a 2 year tour in Germany. I remained in the states, driving, but would make many, many trips overseas. Germany was a great place to visit, and even live. In 2001, we transferred to Arizona. In Sept. 2001, our first child was born, Ashley. 9 days later, the country changed forever. In Oct. 2001, I made my first trip to Tehachapi, a place I would often pass in my semi, never thinking I would actually get to visit there years later. After that trip, I was hooked on trains, as my wife bought MSTS for me, and I would take more trips to Tehachapi, and other locations, along the way, making new friends. In 2003, we transferred to Syracuse NY, where we still live today. Although I have had other websites devoted to my photography, my current site is www.msnusers.com/cnytrains. I use to have a much better site, till my hoster told me he would no longer support the site, which is why I have a lowly little MSN site.Thanks for your time.Chris Bogley
Syracuse New York
http://photobucket.com/albums/v520/CBP/UPCOMING RELEASES: UP Coal for TPII (2/23), Santa Fe TOFC for TPII (2/25), and Guides to Clinton Sub and WF 5Proud owner of Streamlines UP and ATSF packs, MLT's Cascades, Bridge Line, Sandpatch, KHP 2, SP Pack 1, NS Pack (and very soon the CN Dundas route), FPM's Pacific Surfliner, Rich Garber's Canton / Suddenly, and 3DTS's Cajon Pass and Tehachapi Pass routes, and 3 expansion packs!

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RE: Bio's....Please Anchor, Poltergeist, Oct-28-04, 10:41 PM, (1) RE: Bio's....Please Anchor, riograndedude, Oct-29-04, 01:19 AM, (2) RE: Bio's....Please Anchor, bnsf1959, Nov-01-04, 01:39 AM, (4) RE: Bio's....Please Anchor, Timbo611, Nov-01-04, 12:37 PM, (5) RE: Your Bio's, robertlearmont, Nov-01-04, 05:25 PM, (6) RE: Your Bio's, geekman, Nov-02-04, 12:16 PM, (7) RE: Your Bio's, JonN, Nov-02-04, 06:39 PM, (8) RE: Your Bio's, NewEnglandRailFan, Nov-02-04, 07:32 PM, (9) RE: Your Bio's, tvrail, Nov-03-04, 09:34 AM, (10) RE: Your Bio's, smp11512, Nov-08-04, 07:39 PM, (11) RE: Your Bio's, James, Nov-16-04, 10:31 AM, (12) RE: Your Bio's, FURX, Nov-17-04, 11:35 PM, (13) RE: Your Bio's, SVTS, Nov-18-04, 09:40 AM, (14) RE: Your Bio's, FURX, Nov-18-04, 04:12 PM, (15) RE: Your Bio's, bigbadCN_man, Nov-30-04, 06:38 PM, (16) RE: Your Bio's, yellowdog, Dec-15-04, 10:44 AM, (17) RE: Your Bio's, D1041_Hellfire, Dec-16-04, 06:11 AM, (18) RE: Your Bio's, Phil C, Jan-03-05, 00:28 AM, (19) RE: Your Bio's, OCrailfan, Jan-28-05, 09:41 PM, (20) RE: Your Bio's, wecline, Jan-31-05, 05:18 PM, (21) RE: Your Bio's, ns_sd70m, Jan-31-05, 07:37 PM, (22) RE: Your Bio's, beltontigers, Feb-06-05, 02:47 PM, (23) RE: Your Bio's, wctransfer, Feb-28-05, 09:30 PM, (24) RE: Your Bio's, ns_sd70m, Feb-28-05, 11:44 PM, (25) RE: Your Bio's, wctransfer, Mar-01-05, 08:26 AM, (26)

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My name is Sean Summer I was born on Feb. 18, 1984. I was born two months early due to my mouth not really closing. I was born with Goldenhar Syndrome and touch of Trecher Collins Syndrome. For the first few years of my life I was deaf (no hearing aid) so I went to deaf school to learn sign language. For the first years of my life I went to a Catholic School in Charlotte, NC, Scared Heart. I've gotten hooked on trains when I saw Thomas the Tank Engine. Every Summmer up until recently I've had surgery. I am not sure but I think I had up to 20's to 30's some surgeries, and I have built up an immunity to most kind of pains . I was an Alter Boy for St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church until my Freshman year of High School. During my 6 ear reconstruction surgeries I've become hooked on Aviation and started flying. I am currently a Junior in Pfeiffer University and I am working on a History major (minor in Education), I will also be getting a Master. I am a member of the College Democrat Club (ducks) and I am also a Sunday School Teacher at yet again St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. I am also a pilot and my base is at Wilgrove "International" Air Park (8A6). I have a 14 year old Siamese Cat name Sara and a 7 year old Golden Retriever name Serria. I have an older brother name Chris and a Sister-in-law Leslie. So thats Sean Summer for ya.

Sean Summer AKA Poltergeist
"The voices, the voices, I hear them, they're with me, so I follow I follow..." ~Eminem's "Guilty Conscious"

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Alright I'll shoot, full name is William Case Diehl, the William was my uncle's name and Case came from both Case Tractors and the John Fogerty song "Centerfield" with the line " and the mighty Case struck out."I was born in the small southwestern town of Willcox Arizona where I lived about 200 ft from the Southern Pacific mainline. From my house which was about 3 miles out of town was about 1/2 between "railroad Pass" and town and I could always hear trains leaving either of them and would always head to the window to watch them go by. Also my grandmother lived in (once)beautiful Durango Colorado which gave me the Narrow gauge bug.
I attended Willcox Elementry, Willcox Middle, and Willcox High school throughout my life where it seemed that I was constantly teased for my love of trains. I also sucked at sports. In 2002 I made the decision to move to my Dad's house in Vail Arizona (my folks had been divorced 10 years by this point) and began attending Cienega High School my sophmore year. There I attemped to shed my redneck roots by trying to turn into a hard core rocker, but before I could toss the CSA flag I was held back by my "brother" Bryce who has turned into my best friend who proved you could like Skynered, Metallica, and all Country and still wear jeans. But still I'm only 1/2 redneck now so some days' it's Metallica t-shirts and tennis shoes, or the next day it's wranglers and cowboy boots. Though being like this is hard because no girl wants a mix, they either want straight redneck, or straight hard core rocker.I've held 2 jobs, my First was at Santa Rita Golf Club where I washed carts there for a year and a half where I was treated like family. I had to quit and go to work at Safeway in Rita Ranch (#1986) as a courtsey clerk after I could not get enough money at SRGC. Starting at the bottom of 17 coutesy clerks there in june of this year, I am now the 4th in senority of Courtesy clerks there due to a high turnover rate. and that's my life. if you want to see how my life goes click on the link below that says "Blog"Member of The Cienega HS Republican Club

MR SPARKLE!!!
My Webpage
Blog

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Hi I'm Ken and I am hearing Impaired due to birth defect. I had numerous reconstructive surgeries due to high Cleft Palette and Treacher Collin's Syndrome. I do wear a hearing aid and hear almost pretty good. I'm going to 45 next month. I work in a hospital for 23 years near BNSF Racetrack line in Berwyn, Ill. I do see lots of trains there. I got my love of trains when I was 4 years old in 1964 and rode on the Santa Fe Super Chief from Chicago to LA and back. I also rode on the Illinois Central's Ann Rutledge route from Chicago to Springfield, Ill the following year. to attend a summer program at Illinois School for the Deaf. I've been to a regular and deaf school. I went 2 years of college and never finished. As I was growing up I alway make sure a train was set up under the Christmas tree every year. Now I have 2 layout set up all year round. A 8'x 10' N scale layout in my spare bedroom and 20'x 3' O scale layout in the living room. I'm single and I have a dog named Muschka (12 yrs.old Pomeranian) and I own my own house and I have 2003 Ford Ranger PU. I like MSTS a lot. It's closed to driving a real thing except no rocking chair and diesel fumes. I have a 5.1 surround speaker system and people think there is a train running through my neighborhood. There is Indiana Harbor Belt railway tracks on the next block and you can tell when a train runs through there. People can't tell the differences if it's me or the real thing cuz I do play MSTS really loud in my house. Ken Plaza

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-01-04 AT 12:58 PM (EST)

Aw Heck, why not?Hello there! My name's Tim Botti, and I'm 20 years old from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If any of you other Pittsburgh guys know where Penn-Trafford HS is, then you'll know where exactly I'm hailing from. I'm currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.I've been a train nut since before I can remember. Started out with a circle of Brio track and three cars, and I now have tons of trains in all the different scales (though I've focused mostly on O scale in recent years.) I'm particuraly interested in Steam Locomotives, and I have done much research on the possibilities of using modern technology in steam power. (Ask if you're interested!) I've been to most of the steam railroads in my general area, and I'm a volunteer for the Ohio Central Railroad System's Steam Dept, based in Conshocton, OH. Check em out at www.ocsteam.comAside from that, I try to keep a few other irons in the fire. I'm a director of youth ministry at St. Barbara's Roman Catholic Church. I've stage managed over 30 theater productions, and I'm also a DJ and Manager of Operations for All Around Sound Productions, LLC. ( www.allaroundsp.com ) I'm also into a ton of different sports, and in my 20 years I've played basketball, football, soccer, as well as more recently run track and cross country. I've also studied drums and percussion for quite a while now, and I've performed with many different bands and orchestras. The classical stuff's nice, but I'd rather rock out personally. I'm very fortunate that my parents, family, and friends have supported me in all of my little ventures, and it's only as you get a bit older that you see how important this is. My dad and I riding behind 611 in the summer of '94 seemed like a small happening then, but I see how big a deal it was now.For yet more useless information (and tons of pictures) about myself, check out my website at www.pitt.edu/~tjb23And lucky you, you even get a picture (yes ladies, thats really me) Tim Botti
University of Pittsburgh
Mechanical EngineeringWe'll see 611 steam again...someday

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Born 3-9-1991 at 1018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Moved to Tembagapura, an the western part of New Guinea about 3 months later.
Moved to Jakarta, Indonesia the next year.
Lived for 2 years in Carins, Australia.
Went to Cairo, Egypt for a business trip with my dad.
Went on several business trips with my dad in Europe.
Went back to Tembagapura. Moved to Warba, MN in 1995.
Started kindergarten in 1996.
I'm now in 8th grade, and I've loved every year of school with a few exceptions on certain days of each year.Note: I need a bit of advice here. There's this girl I've liked since early september, but I'm too shy to approach her. Now she got mononucleosis, and won't be at school for about 2 weeks. Should I slip a note into her locker so she sees it when she gets back?
I want to do what's best for her, you see. How could I approach her? PM me if you have a suggestion.
Google, Google, Google!
Simplest answers are always the best!

Howdy!
Bob
E-mail: robertlearmont@realcountryfan.com

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-02-04 AT 12:17 PM (EST)

Okay Chris, Here’s mine:My name is Larry Steiner and I’m 62 years old. I live in Southwest Michigan (Grand Rapids) and have been married for 38 years to my wife and my best friend. We have no children, but do have two dogs (Cairn Terriers).I grew up in Northern Michigan, and went to University of Michigan where I have a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering. I started out my carreer in a defense plant making Sonobuoys for the US Navy, and in 1969 moved here to Grand Rapids. For the next 11 years I designed validation systems for dollar bill changers and for the past 25 years have been a Controls Engineer for a company that makes material handling systems for large retail distribution centers (Like Wal-Mart, etc.).On a more personal level, I was probably the world’s shyest (is that a real word?) guy as a kid and even now I still consider myself a geek who’d rather be around things than people. My hobbies are computers, reading, trains, and home improvement (One of my latest projects was a 720 sq ft 3-level deck in the back of our home.) I also dabble occasionally in amateur photography, but not as much as I used to.I am a Deacon in our church and try to involve myself in community activities when time permits. Right now, I’m sort of starting to plan for retirement (when I reach 65) and trying to think about how my lifestyle will change when I don’t have to get up 5 days a week and go off to earn a living. Right now, it sounds like heaven!!One of my lifelong dreams was to someday build a railroad layout in the basement, but now that I have been exposed to virtual railroading, I've totally change my mind. This is so much better, plus, it's cheaper and gives you a lot more time to spend with the wife - Now if I could only get her to let me use my surround sound speakers instead of headphones!!Edited for typoLarry Steiner

I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it!

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Hello, My full name is Jonathan Edward Nikiforovs, I was born on February 1, 1984 at the Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto via C-section. I spent the first two years of my life in a cramped appartment in Toronto before moving to a townhouse in Missisauga, just west of Toronto. I lived there for three years, before my dad's job forced us to move yet again, this time to the small town of Prescott, about 300km east of Toronto, along the St. Lawrence river. I lived there for 13 years, and I essentily grew up in that town, completing my High School education there. It was from one of our neighbors in that town that I acquired my interest in trains. In 2002, the same year I graduated High School, were moved back to the Toronto area, specifically to Whitby (east of Toronto) where I currently reside. I started attending Durham College in 2003, and I'm studying business and economics...Jonathan Nikiforovs.
Milepost 180, CP Belleville Sub.

Repainter for Yonder Locomotive Works.

"A crictic is a man who creates nothing and thereby feels qualified to judge the work of creative men. There is logic in this; he is unbiased - he hates all creative people equally." - Lazarus Long

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Geeze Chris you had to do this huh? My full name is David Jacobs (my friends just call me Dave ) and I'm from Falls Village, CT, which is just about the midpoint between Hartford and Albany, NY. I was born August 30, 1989 in Great Barrington, Mass (right next to the Housatonic RR main).My dad owns an auto repair shop in Falls Village, so I've grown up around cars and motors. I liked all that when I was little, but what really interested me was the thing behind the garage. The (usually) pair of GP35's or GP9's or RS3m. That was the former New Haven Berkshire branch. When I was about 5, I convinced my dad to take me to the enginehouse/yard place about 5 minutes from my house. We met some of the engineers and brakemen along the line, and became real friendly with them. I got my first cabride about a month or two later (it was crammed with the 2 crewmen, me, and my dad in there). I got them all the time for about a year with the same crew. (I can't say their names). One night was really specal, but I can't say anything more. (Lets just say over the radio the words "back 'er up a little Dave" were heard )Meanwhile, I was going through phases, and when I was about 6, I decided I didn't like trains anymore. I got more interested in NASCAR, fishing, and other machinery. I really was into NASCAR until Dale Earnhardt died.Meanwhile, I was still "working" at my dad's garage on Saturdays and on days off from School. I went to Lee H Kellogg school up to 8th grade. Now I go to Oliver Wolcott Regonal Vocational Technical High School, (mouthfull there eh? ), where my trade is Automotive Machanics (go figure). I'm a sophmore now.In about 8th grade, I discovered baseball. And now that's my "thing". I am a first baseman, (I'm Left handed and I wanted to be an infielder, people who know baseball know that leftys don't play 2nd, 3rd, or short). Last year I hit 2 homers in one game including a game-ending grand slam.About 2 years ago, this computer game called Train Simulator came out. I told my grandma that I wanted that for Christmas because I had a remote interest still and she needed ideas. Well, I'm back getting cabrides on the Housatonic RR. pffew. That was way too long. Here's a pic of my ugly mug, doing an exhaust at my dad's garage
-Dave, Secretary of the Scrap the SD60F federation!

Former ALCo Schenectady, NY shop switcher #5, in North Creek, NY

You can e-mail me at davej8010@aol.com -or- hrrc_7324@yahoo.com -or- feel free to aim me.

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Well, here's mine then...My name is Teemu Vehkaoja, 26+ years of age. I live in Oulu, Finland, just on the 65th parallel (and yes, we have had the first snow of the year), some 1.3 miles from railroad tracks. Currently I am unemployed, and I am hoping for a position as a Rail Traffic Controller here in Oulu. Right now it is my 8th year as a floorball referee here in the northern Finland region.I am a member of the Museum Railway Association, and currently I am a Railway Rules Supervisor and Instructor at Jokioinen Museum Railway (http://www.jokioistenmuseorautatie.fi).I have had MSTS since the first day it came out here in Finland. I also spend a considerable amount of time with Train Dispatcher 3 and Simsig simulations. My MSTS achievements are pretty limited, mainly a few contributed objects and the signalling system for the FBLine2 & 3.My main interests in railroads are signalling and traffic control.Single? No, not anymore. Looking for a new apartment.
Below: the dull face of the guy who wrote this. The 'caboose' on the background is 75 years older than I am...

Northern Greetings from
TVRail
Signalling Systems, FBLine 2/3
Member of Yonder Locomotive Works

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You sure you want to hear this ? My full name is Shane Michael Palus, Born Augst 14th of 1989 I am 15 this year. As I have heard, I have been interested in trains all of my life, Mostly SP scence 4 out of the 5 houses I have lived in over time have been a block or less from the Former SP Colton Cutoff out of Palmdale CA. I became more interested in trains as the time went by and after finding Microsoft Train Simulator the real journey began Once I found MSTS I sponged off of the Railserve website until 3DTrainStuff released their Cajon Pass route , and thats when I found this place. Thanks to this place my MSN and YMS lists now amaze my friends with people from all over This is where the story leaves me off, as an activity creator for 3DTrainStuff
Shane

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Here is mine:
I was born on may,17,1990 in Ridgecrest,CA I was hooked on trains thanks to my dad and his dad I moved to NC for a bit but then moved down to Jacksonville,Florda I now am Staying in Mena Arkansas.
Trona Railway was the best Shortline Railroad I've ever seen but thanks to Union Pacific all is lost. I got MSTS the first copy that came into wal-mart I paid 54.98 for it loved it ever since! I took the Coast Daylight to LA from LA I took the Coast Starlight to Mertince I think near SF,CA. I've Enjoyed this Website from the mooment I seen it. Thanks,Nels!

Check out my Website
http://www.freewebs.com/surfliner01/index.htm

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Full Name;Jeffrey Louis Sessa.I was named after my late uncle who died in 1985. My middle name is my dad's first name.I was born July 26th, 1988.I've lived in Gaithersburg MD, and I attend Damascus Highschool (Like SVTS did)I've loved trains since the begining.....still do.
Always kinda liked CSX, as that's what I grew up with, but I've since found Chessie, the B&O, and the WM.....my era has gone from present day to 65-85.... I have a mother named Lisa Sessa, a father Louis Sessa, and a sister who is 3 years younger than I, Amanda Sessa, who is mentally retarded, has autisic behaviors, and is hyper active.I've learned alot about tolerance from her, and my parents.
I'm alittle over 16 years old, I'm a jr at Damascus....not driving yet,...can't really afford it at the moment.I love rock and roll,...and older stuff.......Not much other than that. -Jeffrey

Courteous Future Engineer
NKP 2-8-4 #765. www.765.org
Chessie System Historical Society. http://moosevalley.org/cshs/
My Website; www.xanga.com/csxd765
THE RAMONES
GABBA GABBA HEY

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I wonder if any of my old teachers are still there FURX........What teachers do you / have you had? I go back there quite often, a few times a year at least, still enjoy Jimmy Cone during the summer! Hard to believe its' been nearly 13 years since I graduated!Chris Bogley
Syracuse New York
http://photobucket.com/albums/v520/CBP/UPCOMING RELEASES: UP Coal for TPII (2/23), Santa Fe TOFC for TPII (2/25), and Guides to Clinton Sub and WF 5Proud owner of Streamlines UP and ATSF packs, MLT's Cascades, Bridge Line, Sandpatch, KHP 2, SP Pack 1, NS Pack (and very soon the CN Dundas route), FPM's Pacific Surfliner, Rich Garber's Canton / Suddenly, and 3DTS's Cajon Pass and Tehachapi Pass routes, and 3 expansion packs!

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Well, I know of only a few teachers who might have been there 13 years ago,............Mr Bill Smith I had when I was a freshmen in computer technologies, I've had both Mr and Mrs Mosier, I had Mrs Gentry when I was a feshmen, but I got kicked outta that class very quickly.......also had Mr McManus and Mr Brenneman...we have alot of new teachers, so not sure how many you know. Take care,-Jeffrey

Courteous Future Engineer
NKP 2-8-4 #765. www.765.org
Chessie System Historical Society. http://moosevalley.org/cshs/
My Website; www.xanga.com/csxd765
THE RAMONES
GABBA GABBA HEY

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OK. I was born on March 22, 1991 in Windsor Nova Scotia. I now live 7 kilometres away from my old house, so I haven't gone far. I live in Nova Scotia right across from the Windsor-Windsor Junction route on the WHRC(Windsor and Hantsport Railway Company). I have been interested in trains all of my life and I hope I never stop. I am currently working on an HO scale model railroad focusing on the Canadian National in the presant day(trying to save money and convincing my mother the foot wide shelf wont get in the way around the rec room). My favorite railroad is Canadian National. I want to be a locomotive engineer or a member of the RCMP. My hobbies are hunting,shooting, fishing, model railroading and tying flies.
I think that is everything,
Later,
Morgan

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-15-04 AT 10:55 AM (EST)

Clayton G. Notgrass, born March 7, 1976. I grew up in the Appalachian mountains of northeast TN along the old Clinchfield Railroad. I graduated high school in 1994 and went on to a small liberal arts college not far from home, where I met and married my wife. I graduated from there in 1998 and worked full-time for a year before heading back to obtain my master's degree while my wife continued to work. I graduated from the university in 2001 with my master's and then worked for 3 years while my wife went back to school for her master's. Last year she determined that she wanted to get her PhD, so after she graduated with her master's, we packed up and moved to the banks of the Big Muddy where we are both currently trying to acheive our PhDs. My parents still live in TN, as does my older sister's family. My wife's mom lives here near us and her dad lives near the U of I in Illinois. I became interested in the railroad early during high school while exploring the woods behind my parents' house and stumbling onto the old CRR single-track mainline. I met a guy during my first year of high school who was also interested in trains and we became fast friends, spending many days after school wandering/trespassing up and down the tracks or weekends camping out in a tent on the ROW waiting for trains. We soon became known to all the crews (even had an older friend who became an engineer) and received many cabrides and tons of friendly waves and toots of horns. Back in those days it was 90 loads powered by 4 SD40-2s (or 4 C30-7s, 3 SD50s, or some mix of both). This was not long after the SBD/Chessie mergers, so there were lots of paint schemes to be found and we never knew what was coming. I remember the first GE widecab I ever saw. I was excited at the time, but now rue the day because they quickly took over the mainline from my beloved SD40-2s. YN2 became pervasive and my interest in the RR steadily waned as each loco's character got buried under new paint. Enter MSTS, which gave me (like many of you) the opportunity to get back to seeing the consists that I love. In addition to trains I also enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and many other outdoor activities as well as fooling around with computers and reading. My love for the outdoors is one reason I keep getting drawn back to the railroad because I can still spend many days outside hiking/trespassing the familiar backyard rails of the Clinch (which is why I suppose some would put me into that "Foamer" category). I currently work at my school's ITS helpdesk part-time while attending school full-time. Most of my train-watching these days is limited to 70mph drive-bys while speeding along the major interstates of Saint Lewey. EDIT: Added a pic from home, which I've used to hijack this workstation desktop. Clayton

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I'm gonna be the odd one out and the only british guy!Born September 20th 1984 in Sailsbury England as Cyeron Vance Tabor *pronounced Kieren by the way*Went to schools all over the world and england because my parents were both in the British Army. Settled in Norfolk England in 2000 so I could take my GCSE exams "end of high school exams" and went to college to study photography. Did all the bad things a kid could do during that period and became a little "rough around the edges" Mercifully I pulled myself back togeter and after compleating the photography course I threw it a way and became a fitter for EWS railways working on anything I was given *now nearly all class 66's... or SD40's in disguise if you wish!*
I still reside in Norfolk near my family, still working as a fitter. I'm also addicted to music and my band *trying to keep the spirit of metal alive* and Photpgraphy, everything from fine art, to ralway photos!
---

The gods of hellfire are among us. Fall to your knees and worship the WIZZOS!

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What the heck...
MMkay so here goes the story.My name is Phil Ciborowski, i was born on July 9th 1980, at 5:45pm. I was adopted 3 days later by my parents who have always and unconditionally supported me in my hobbies and in my path in life. I have lived in the same house, in the same room (remodeled several times of course) for my entire 24 years, 5 months and 27 days.I went to Shoreham - Wading River CSD, from kindergarden till i graduated in 1998. I promtly went to CW Post University, but was in a near fatal car accident the day after freshman semister started, delaying my college career.After an unplanned 5 month vacation from school, i started in the spring of 99 part time as a BFA in Fine art and Graphic Design. I began to go full time in the fall of 2000, and graduated this past may. Since then i have been attending the same school now attempting to get my Masters in Art Education, in route to get a NYS cert in Technology. (both my parents are teachers, one a retired high school eco, american history and anthro teacher, and one a college grad psych prof)Along the way i have seemingly had the best job- working at a hobby store part time, weekends from thanksgiving till easter'ish. This basically supports my many hobbies, of which Model Railroading is one of. (My others include scale modeling - NASCAR, aircraft, ships, and scale RC ships) I have always been interested in models and model building, and my parents have always supported me, financially and through encouragement, of my hobbies. I have also seemed to find a girlfriend who is supportive of my hobbies and who is willing to either help by scenicing a mountian, or to go with me on a trip to take pics of some train or plane someplace.Summers are spent at the family lake house in NH, which is just about 45 minutes south of Conway, where the Scinic Railroad is. This started my seemingly obsession to capture a lil bit of the boston and maine RR in HO scale, and led to my adaptaion of a Pennsy layout to my needs.I am currently working on a long term build of my HO Scale RR- my version of the Model Railroader project layout "The Pennsy Middle Division", as well as a 1/32 Scale R/C Canadian Coast Guard Bouy Tender "Tsekoa II" which i got this past x-mas. These, along with my other shorter term builds are how i tend to occupy my time, when im not hangin out with friends, watchin NASCAR on TV, or doing school work. I also do some freelance advertising and graphic work for my friends' mortgage and real estate holdings company.Thankfully, one of my other hobbies, computer simulations, matches up with my love for trains. When im not flying or racing, im driving a train and when Train Sim came out i gladly went out and picked it up, and i have had a ton of fun learning from the sim as well as the board ever since.And thats about it... i think.

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I'm Michael Huhn. I was born on Feb. 27, 1991 in the small Pennsylvania town of Bloomsburg. I am 13 but soon to be 14. I was born with Austism so I don't relate to loud sounds, and eating disorders. I lived in Bloomsburg from 1991-1998, moving to Warminster (in the suburbs of Philly) in March '98. We moved to Pittsburgh in August 2000 just after two years of living in Philly, we still live in PGH. I was hooked on trains at age 2 when I saw Thomas the Tank Engine on TV and videos, plus I played with the wooden trains. I have a 8 year old Black Lab named Ebony, a 6 year old Shidh-Zu named Max. I have an 9 year old brother named Chris and a 11 year old sister Lauren. That's my life .

Mike

Founder of the Pennsylvania Repaint Works

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Born 1931 in New Cumberland, West Virginia, USA. Grew up in Western Pennsylvania, Georgia, and New Jersey. Immediately upon graduating high school, entered USAF as enlisted. Trained as radar operator. To make a long story short, I was accepted to begin flight training as an Aviation Cadet and ultimately received my wings and commission as 2nd Lt. in 1954. My advanced training was in the Douglas B-26 Invader, which I flew for several years until I got a ride in a Sikorsky H-19 and volunteered to accept training as a helicopter pilot. My military career was mostly as either a helicopter instructor pilot at the USAF Helicopter School, or commanding helicopter rescue units. I served in that capacity in Korea and at Danang Air Base, Vietnam (1967-68). I retired in 1970 with a very satisfactory career behind me and several awards, including Distinguished Flying Cross (x2), Bronze Star with V device, a double handful of Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal (which, I think, every officer retiring received). I have been checked out in 29 different fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft and am very proud of my military service.Upon retiring, I dragged my family (wife and three daughters) to Nebraska where I finished my college degree requirements under the military "bootstrap" program (thank you Uncle Sam!) and six months later had my degree in Business Administration.Went to work for the next 22 years with ITT Hartford in The Hartford's claim department in Orlando, Florida, where I eventually retired as Assistant Regional Claim Manager for the Southeast US.I have been retired since 1992 and am enjoying every minute of it! Have always been an avid railfan, and at one time had a wall-to-wall layout in HO in one of my spare bedrooms. I have been an enthusiastic proponent of MSTS since it arrived. My present preoccupation is in re-skinning boxcars (predominently pre-1970) which may be found in the train-sim.com library.I have been a fan of Nels Anderson from the days when all he was running was an old fashioned bulletin board and we were running an old Intel 8086 computer at the office, where I stole time to connect to Nels' BBS to download early Bruce Artwick flight simulator files. I love MSTS!Bill Cline

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My name is Jessie and I was born in 1985. I grew up in western Pennsylvania and I first became interested in trains whenever I was 7 years old and saw a model train set at the local toy store. It was a warbonnet ATSF F7 and I was hooked on it because it was shiny (I'm not kidding!). So I kept asking my mom to buy it for me and finally, my grandfather bought me my own model train set for Christmas. It was a Mantua set, and it had a Conrail GP20 and about 5 cars and a caboose. I also began walking to the nearby Conrail tracks with my dad and we watched trains go by. I remember liking the SD40-2s the best. I thought they looked real nice. I was afraid of the C40-8Ws (LOL!). I thought that they were big, scary, and ugly. I also covered my ears when the train went by because I was afraid of the loud horn! So I had a casual interest in trains throughout my childhood that gradually burned out. Then, my interest was rekindled whenever I saw MSTS in a software store a couple years ago and decided to try it out. I became an instant train-addict again and I would often walk to the railroad tracks after school to watch the trains go by. Today, I consider myself a casual railfan with my favorite railroads being Norfolk Southern in the east and Union Pacific in the west. I am currently a college student and I am majoring in biochemistry. I hope to one day go to medical school and become a doctor or to go into cancer research.

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Well heck...i never was one to share who i was..i like being unknown..but here goes...I was born Feb. 4th, 1986 in Temple, Texas. My full name is Kyle Frank Penn (Frank came from my dad's great uncle who took him in). I'm a 19 year old freshman @ Temple College with a major in Wildlife Management and a minor in Criminal Justice (lookin to become a Game Warden). I graduated from Belton High School, C/O 2004. While in HS, I played football ( Receiver, Defensive Back, and Punter ) and ran track (4x100m relay, 100m dash, 400m and 300m Hurdles). Right now i'm busy w/ my job and my g/f. As many of ya'll may know..i'm the son of a railroader and am in the process of becoming one myself. I'm a certified brakeman and work on the excursion railway in Austin...known as the Austin and Texas Central. They currently run an Alco RSD-15 "Alligator Nose" and they also have a restored Southern Pacific Mikado, of the MK-5 class (#786). I've always personally been an ATSF fan..which carried over to the BNSF...which is also who my dad works for.Kyle Penn
kfp@vvm.com
www.austinsteamtrain.org

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Well,i dont know who reads this much but here goes,I was born on May 4th 1992 in St.Paul , MN.My full name is Alec Robert Holmes. I have loves trains since the start and have been a big fan of the Wisconsin Central and SOO Line. I grew up many different places but all were in the Twin Cities area( Mineapolis/St.Paul )I model HO guage and have a variety of models. I go to Saint Anthony Middle School and in 7th grade. I get rides all the time and i have driven some in my days too!I love MSTS and am patiently waiting for someone to get a WC SD45 done.I bike around the twin cities area to railfan with my friend.
Well thats the wrap, not much more to know.Oh, i almost forgot I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL! And Hunter E Harrison!Alec

Long Live SOO and WC

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> Oh, i almost forgot I HATE CANADIAN NATIONAL! And Hunter E Harrison!It's E. Hunter Harrison.

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well that shows how much i hate him!Alec

Long Live SOO and WC

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