Hello.
I don't really know what to say here, but I cannot thank you all enough for the kindness and generosity you've shown me. I truly don't know what to say except thank you. I haven't met the vast majority of you. I joined this forum initially in 2002 because I was 19 years old living in Orlando and had no idea how to pursue a railroad job, especially on steam which was my primary interest. I took a job at Disney hoping to work on the trains there to no success, but I'm grateful that the D&S gave me a shot at hiring on in 2004. Since then I learned how to fire and run engines with some of the best here and elsewhere and lived in some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Living in Rockwood was certainly a highlight of the journey.
Jimmy was an awesome cat. He wasn't too down with the trains at first but figured out pretty quick which room to be in to take a sun bath, and after a couple weeks the morning patrol at 6 AM, the section getting equipment ready, and the parade of trains didn't phase him one bit. The local turkeys, chickens, elk, and deer walking around let him be a cat for those last couple of months. We had always been in an apartment in Tennessee or Florida before we moved so he got to enjoy a yard and being outside really for the first time. Unfortunately, things happen. We can't know what our life will be like tomorrow.
Maybe I'll see you in Durango or Skagway. Two beautiful places among the others I've been afforded to live, thanks in part to the silly desire I've had to run steam engines since I was little. I can tell you this from experience, if you lose every material possession, you won't really miss any of it. You will clearly see where your priorities lie and who your family and friends are. So please come say hello if you visit one of these great places I've been given the privilege to work, and thank you again.
John Hillier
