[speeders] Re:

[Guy Lynn <glynn1@cox.net>]

Dear All,

Its really too bad that everyone out there couldn't have the experience 
that Larry has had with motorcars.  A lot of the rules were actually 
made years ago and if they were being adhered to today the subject of 
new rules would be a moot point.
An outbreak of common sense would be a breath of fresh air at this point 
for this hobby.

Yours,
Guy Lynn, CRI&P MC-366
Norman, Oklahoma

tumbleweed@santel.net wrote:

>Hello all,
>I have been on the sidelines watching and reading with interest all the 
>discussion on seat belts and accidents, etc......pretty scary stuff! I am new 
>to 
>the hobby, however I was raised on the old Northern Pacific Railroad.....my 
>father was a Section Foreman with over 44 years in at retirement, and that has 
>been close to forty years ago....I had the privelege of going with him on the 
>"motorcar" from when I was about 10 years old, and also worked for him for 
>three 
>years during my late teens, which launched my own railroad career......
>
>I remember my father hauling upwards of 100 "gandies" to a work site on gang 
>cars 
>and trailers......I remember my father hauling loads of ties and rails on a 
>pushcar.....I remember my father leaving for work on the "motorcar" during -30 
>degree weather.....I remember my father slowing the "motorcar" to a crawl 
>before 
>going over a grade crossing....I remember my father slowing the "motorcar" to 
>a 
>crawl before going over a frog or a diamond or other hazard.....I remember my 
>father "setting flags" at a work site even though there were no scheduled 
>trains 
>due until the next day.....
>
>I don't remember my father ever "opening up" the "motorcar" to see how fast it 
>would go.....I don't remeber my father ever being involved in a accident or 
>even 
>a mishap with the "motorcar".....
>
>I remember my father as a "common sense" type of person who put safety of his 
>crew and company property high on his list of priorities....
>
>These memories bring into focus the original purpose of these machines that 
>are a 
>part of our heritage, and the tremendous responsibility that was assumed by 
>people that made their living by operating them....
>
>I won't offer my opinion on seat belts and other safety add-ons.....it would 
>be 
>just another opinion....I do hope these thoughts help to establish the 
>importance 
>of safety, and what can be accomplished by using common sense....
>
>Larry Munson
>Proud owner of a ex-NP M19F
> 
>