Just stumbled onto this photo while looking for something else, and thought it might provide a smile here; of course, do take note of the hopper cars in the background:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwilso ... otostream/

Back in my passenger conductor days, we had a guy take close-up photos of ALL of the journal box covers on our CNJ coaches with his 35 mm camera. All the time mumbling something like "You never know when these are going to become rare-" We all had a good laugh, but looking back, he was right; times have changed.

EDM
Journaltex, NJ

"..and here we see the habitat of the rare Lumjee bird burrowing its nesting place, its bright yellow feathers contrast the dark surroundings it has placed its nest, it has just now ran into its burrow, lets get a closer look at its nest..."

Ever since I joined the track crew at my home museum (although I'm mostly a "gandy dancer emeritus" now), I have been conscious of rail sections and mill dates. In my back yard is a length of Saint Louis Steel 1883 rail, probaly 55 or 60 lb.

Here's photo of bonded joint on what's left of the Pacific Electric San Bernardino line in Rialto. Note that the bars were made for 7513 (75 lb. section, sub type 13) rail in 1912; the line opened in 1914.

Hey, there are some neat things you can do with rail -- like puzzle switches. Here's two: the first at Orange Empire and the second at Seashore. Have our museums saved any other double slip switches?

Lots of double-slip switches in this picture.