Well, I guess I'll introduce myself too. Name is Jason Rose, I'm 33. My wife and I live in Spring, Texas (north of Houston). I'm rookie railfan and historian, but I've been interested in railroading since I was a little kid. I grew up in Houston a few hundred yards from a BN/Rock Island line. Being a young boy the trains naturally drew my attention. My high school and my grandparents business were along the tracks as well, so it seemed that I was always train watching. It's actually a running joke in my family. If someone hears a horn everyone assumes and jokes that I'm running to the window for a look.
In high school I got into music in a big way and it would be 15 years before I got back to my interest in railroads. In fact, music still keeps me away from this hobby more than I'd like. My wife and I manage a Drum & Bugle Corps in Houston. Most of my free time is geared towards that.
Professionally I'm a Network Engineer (computer geek). I also served my country as a US Marine.
My father spent much of his childhood camping in Colorado. It was only natural to combine his love (and now my love) of the mountains with my interests in railroading. I was aware of DRGW narrow gauge and the D&S as a kid, but was not a huge fan. That is, I wasn't until I visited the area for the first time. My wife (she's a saint) and I took an 8 day trip to Colorado/NM in 2006. This was our 2nd trip up there, but our first specifically to check out the railroads. We visited the CRRM, the Loop, CO Springs, Pikes Peak, the Royal Gorge, Gunnison, Cimarron, Ridgway, the D&S, and the C&T. I was completely smitten at our first stop at the CRRM. As the week went on my condition worsened, culminating in our trip on the C&T. I now have a full blown case of Narrow Gauge Fever. I fear it's terminal too. =) I love all of the CO/NM NG lines, but the Rio Grande is my favorite. Thanks to my wife (she's truly something special), I have a large and growing collection of books. I'm usually reading 2-3 at a time. I've re-read several as well. Can't get enough.
I visited the EBT for the first time last weekend. I'll have videos and pictures posted on my website tomorrow evening. My NG Fever is now worse than ever!
I've been back to Chama twice since my first trip in 2006 and have plans to make a 4th trip in late October for Chama Steam.
I'm in the very early stages of modeling Tennessee Pass in N scale, circa 1985. I chose this over NG because it's easier to do. Besides, there's just something VERY RIGHT about Rio Grande diesels running through mountains. Someday I'd like to do a garden scale NG layout in the backyard.
Because I'm 1,000 miles from Chama, I try to find things to do around here to control my NG Fever between trips to NG Country. The Houston RR Museum is a growing interest, but my main (local) interest is Long Leaf, LA. In short, Long Leaf is a nearly complete logging town, lumber mill, shop complex, and logging railroad. It's a fascinating place with a TON of potential for a first class tourist railroad and museum.
My dream job (post retirement) is to work for the C&T. Eventually I'd like to work my way up to Engineer. But, it'll be a few decades before I can start that dream.
I read the NGDF, the Goat, and TrainOrders.com just about every day. They've all been an invaluable source of info and inspiration. Anything else you'd like to know about my railroad interests can be found here:
My Rio Grande Explorations
Take care and happy railroading!
Jason Rose
<><
El DiscĂpulo de los Viejos Gruñones
RioGrandeExplorations.net
Spring, Texas - MP 209.7 - UP Palestine Sub
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" - Wendell Phillips
"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." - Sgt Stryker USMC
"Life is too short to deal with other people's drama. - Sgt Jason Rose USMC
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/14/2009 08:47PM by Jason Rose.
