September 15, 2009 08:52PM
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Registered: 16 years ago
Posts: 266
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So who am I and why am I here eh?
I am Jeff Badger and sometimes go by the handle of "Grumps". I grew up in San Berdoo with relatives who worked on the Santa Fe. My father and I spent many hours watching trains work their way up Cajon Pass and over on the SP grinding up San Timoteo Canyon. I used to listen to my uncles and father telling tales of the high iron with the 2900's of the Santa Fe and Cab Forwards of the SP.
First train ride was at Gene Autry's Melody Ranch in the early 60's. In 1966 Dale Gentry built a narrow gauge line at the Orange Show Fairgrounds in Berdoo and that hooked me on narrow gauge. Of course there was also visits to Knott's and Disneyland too.
Had an aunt and uncle who lived in Boulder Creek and were early investors in Roaring Camp so we spent many a summer riding the rails there from 1968 on. As I got older, the folks would give me 5 bucks and drop me off at Graham Hill Road to wander into the engine house and pester the guys there. I remember Charlie Hoyle and Neil Vodden. Norm Clark would find me hanging around and try to chase me out. One day Tom Shreve had me hostling the Kahuku in preparation for a wedding run.
In 1977 I began volunteering at Orange Empire under the tutelage of Bill Garner, on the Ventura County #2. On a trip to Colorado in 1982, I spent a couple months running the High Country 2' gauge line in Golden and then went to chasing skirt.
Married to my very patient wife Debbie for 27 years next month with two grown sons. I have boomed around places to help but never hung my hat at a tourist operation yet, but that day is fast approaching. My current profession is that of a Facilities Director for a large conference center near Santa Cruz, California. The stress of the corporate world especially non-profit is wearing thin and like John Bush stated, life is too short, I should be doing what I really like to do.
I am active in building and restoring live steam locomotives and am currently finishing up a 15" gauge 3 truck shay. My current "home" road is the Pacific Coast Railroad in Santa Margarita, CA where I have assumed the duties of care and feeding the steeds there. I just got back from a two week stint in Colorado working on 2 full sized narrow gauge steam locomotives and also took some time to foam a bit too.
Oh, did I mention that I like to cook on the back head once in awhile too...?
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Samart |
September 11, 2009 06:03PM |
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Etrump |
September 11, 2009 07:56PM |
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dandtsrr2 |
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EBTfan15 |
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