The Black Rat

While the name implies something of the rodent kind, the "Black Rat". I had seen the locomotive once previously on one of my trips to the Steaming Tender in Palmer, MA. The late Bob Buck (a railfan, and owner of Tucker's Hobbies in nearby Warren) revealed this nickname, which was implied by it's dirty paint on the hood (it was covered with grime from extended periods of use) and how it hides in the yards. The "Black Rat" is currently owned by Conneticut Southern, the only reason she was so far north is because the local railroad, the New England Central, shares common ownership under Rail America. Here road number is 2340. She was built by the Electro Motive Division of General Motors in March of 1970. While I'm unsure of her original owner, 2340 has seen use on Norfolk Southern and the Pittsburgh Industrial Railway in Ohio. She's seen service on CSOR in Conneticut, and gone as far north (to my knowledge) as Saint Albans, VT.

Developing from Cheyenne, WY

Through the website Railway Preservation News (or rypn.org), I learned of a young railfan named Alex. He went missing on New Years Eve, after being left home to watch his dog. Well, sadly, he was found dead in the Union Pacific Railroad yard. Here's someone to envy; he got to ride the Union Pacific's 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" #3985 (the largest operating steam locomotive in the United States, if not the world), had an active hand in repainting Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy" #4004, and was experienced with operation of scale live steam locomotives. And he was only 13 years old. Now I envy this kid. While I've had minimal experience with active steam locomotives in the form of the climax geared steam locomotive at Clark's Trading Post in Lincoln New Hampshire, and riding in front of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway's Kangamangus, but for anyone to get to ride such a massive, and famous, locomotive like the 3985 is enviable for anyone of any age. Now I didn't know him, but he certainly sounds like he was an amazing kid. To better show who he was, this is a quotes from Railway Preservation News, by John E. Rimmash (owner of Wasatch Railroad Contractors).

A great portion of my "non-railroad" time has been spent as a Scout Master and Youth Adviser with-in the areas in-which we have resided. The service aspect of my life has been a great blessing to me and my family. I so much enjoy watching the children grow and learn.

Unfortunately, this is the second young railfan in my life that has made a decision that I did not see coming. Though Alex was not one of my Scouts, he was a young railfan in which I was more than happy to help. Alex spent time at my shop with my two older boys operating our Cagney locomotives. One day in particular, Alex ended one of his trips in a massive wheel slip and rolled off the end of the track, protected by wheel bumpers. The front truck ejected itself from the locomotive......we had a good time re-railing it and getting it all back to normal. Alex also spent time with us at shows operating the steam locomotive. There was no need to teach him.....he knew it all. It was a pleasure to have him around.

As I sit here today, I have asked myself and honestly, I have asked God...."why do we as adult leaders (Scout masters, mentors, friends.....club members) have to endure this pain?" "What could I have done to help Alex.....I had no idea what he was enduring." "Why could we have not had some sign.....something that said......help this kid!" "What did I miss this go around?" Why twice in a life time do I have to endure this?" The questions go on and on. The point of it is and to Mike I agree 100%

When we have young railfans in our groups. PLEASE, sit down with them and ask questions! "How are you doing, how is school, what do you like or dislike?" Our society has become so "kid scared" that we fail, we fail too often, we failed in this case to ask the questions that need to be asked. We fail to see the impact that we make, or can make by being involved or looking the other way. Both have profound impacts.....good or bad.

My plea: This weekend, when you are at your club meeting, find a young person, sit down with he or she and have a talk! Talk about what they want......LISTEN to them. Find the red flags, be the mentor, be the adviser, be the friend.

Maybe Alex is our industry reminder that our work is not so much about preservation of historic railroad equipment. Maybe our work is actually about the preservation of the human ambition to be something, the human ambition to be seen or heard. Ours is the work of ensuring that we all have a place. Indeed, we all have a place!

I really enjoyed listening to Alex. I guess I never heard the things he really wanted to (or needed to) talk about.

Please take care of these young people......we can not afford to have them leave.....on their own or otherwise!

We will all miss Alex. It was an honor to have him around!

Respectfully yours,

JohnE.

_________________
John E. Rimmasch
Wasatch Railroad Contractors






 That was the post, word for word. Now, being green in the railway preservation field, I don't have nearly as much experience as Mr. Rimmasch. However, the message that he preaches of those currently in the field getting involved with the younger people who are at least interested in railroads and their heritage can't be contradicted. With a youth division in the works for the group I've been working with, I can't help but wonder if I'll be able to live up to those words of wisdom. What I do know is I'll throw my hat in the ring, and try to be the mentor that the younger railroad enthusiasts deserve.

Dylan Lambert

Links:
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32645
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,2650764,2650962
http://www.kgwn.tv/story/16431622/search-continues-for-local-teen
http://www.kgwn.tv/story/16436418/body-found-in-cheyenne
http://blogs.wyomingnews.com/blogs/shutterspeed/2011/09/06/big-boy-paint-job/