(no subject)

[bluegargantua]

Hey,

I got a package from my mom with smaller packages inside here are the rules.

Huh, a oddly shaped/weighted package in a drawstring bag...

The Item:





What's all this then? Perhaps the message explains...

The Message:

"Lsst, but not least, to add to your renewed interest in trains, Grandpa Russell's hat. Cherish the memories of your grandparents who loved you so much."

Um...OK, so this appears to be Grandpa Russell's conductor hat. I didn't photograph it but inside the hat is a timetable for passenger service between Ravenna and Alliance NE. It's probably the schedule of the train he was working when he retired. Apparently, it took 5 hours to make the trip. Today we drive the distance in about 3.5 - 4 (although it'd go up to 5 if we had to stop in every town the way the train did). The other item there is a rail spike painted Burlington Northern Green and topped with a little toy train. I believe the dates are a.) when he joined the BN, b.) when he became a conductor for the line and c.) when he finally retired. The other side of the spike says "F. L. RUSSELL". I think I remember seeing the spike when I was a kid, but I had no idea what it meant at the time.

So yeah, my Grandpa Russell worked for the railroad that serviced most of western Nebraska. He never really regaled me with stories, he was a pretty reserved kind of guy and a bit hard to approach. It didn't help that for most of my life he lived in Alliance or Custer SD and for awhile he wintered down in AZ somewhere (he did a fair amount of golfing). So it was hard to make a real connection. Now that I have some social skills to engage people, of course, it's too late. He passed away from stomach cancer in the 90's. So he'll always be somewhat opaque to me.

Anyway, now I need to find some sort of display box for the hat and the spike. I'd really like to find a picture of Grandpa when he was on the job to go with it, but Mom says she doesn't have anything like that and if Aunt Jan does it'll be awhile before we ever see it. In any event, I'll have to look around and see what's available.

later
Tom

Comments

[harrison-ripps.livejournal.com]

That is actually really cool. I'm with you on the irony of finally being old enough to participate in a meaningful discussion about my grandfathers' lives when it's too late to have the conversations. That's still just a really cool thing. I have a couple of items that came from my grandfathers, and they are among the few things of any sentimental value for me.

[kadath.livejournal.com]

I feel that way about all my grandparents' generation. I was such a little shit as a kid, and now that I'm an adult, they're gone. :(

[beowabbit]

Now that is really cool!

[muffyjo]

Have you considered writing a note to the railroad and asking if they might have any pictures of him? They might have some in their archives from when he was promoted or some ceremony or something like that. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

[mrf-arch.livejournal.com]

Or poking around various railroad aficionado websites or clubs. People collect all sorts of railroad memorabilia.

[bluegargantua]

It probably wouldn't hurt to ask, but the Burlington Northern is now the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, it's hard to know how their records fared. Possibly if the union is still in existence....

Tom

[mrf-arch.livejournal.com]

Some of the gifts have been rather out in left field - but this one is pretty awesome.