Steve you brought back a long forgotten memory w/ that comment on running to
see the J Aurora run. This has nothing to do with the Q(well almost nothing)
but I think it's a story that shows how RRing used to be.
E.B. (Smitty) Smith retired after 43 years and 10 months employment on the
Q,with 38 of those years a switchman in the Aurora/Eola terminal. If your a
BRHS member your going to learn about him in the upcoming Alley Job article.
Buy the way he was my grandfather.
When Smitty retired he sold the big old two story house on Grove St to my
parents and moved to a bungalow on south Broadway very near the Js Aurora
branch. Every so often when the J made their twice a week run into Aurora;
Smitty would hear them coming,get up from the lazy boy and walk to the rte 25
xing. There he would flag the engine down and proceed to have a 10 or 15 minute
conversation with the crew about the state of RR affairs and who on the J had
retired,etc,etc. All this time the flashers and bells are doing there thing,
cars are stopping, looking around then proceeding. When all the pertinent info
had been exchanged a highball was given,the train proceeded and then another
highball was given as the caboose went by.
I don't know why I never asked for a ride!?
In the 70s we would bump into the J Aurora job crew at the office on So Lincoln
ave as they ate dinner. The train would be resting behind the office. The
office,well it's name might be a little misleading, but it sure gave many a
husband the excuse to say "Honey at was at the office late"
Leo
Sent from my iPad
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Posted by: Leo <qutlx1@aol.com>
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