Operation Lifesaver at Pennsylvania Railroad Days

Explaining the role of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. in promoting safety around railroad tracks and crossings during Pennsylvania Railroad Days 2013 at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. I am here Thur. 5/16/13 and Sat. 5/18/13 from 10-2. This year's Pennsy Days coincides the the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society.

I hand out safety literature, explain how organizations can schedule a free Operation Lifesaver presentation, and give out freebies like coloring books, pencils and steam engine erasers.

Thanks for the Free Ride, Amtrak

On Saturday, May 11, 2013 I worked with two other Operation Lifesaver volunteers for Amtrak National Train Day. After a good day at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia I'm riding home on train No. 665 on the Keystone Line to Lancaster. We had lots of help from great Amtrak employees in Philly and we saw thousands of people, and talked to at least a couple of hundred.

Also see more pictures on the separate page link above.

A Small Part of a Large Crowd

The wife and I ready for the YWCA of Lancaster Race Against Racism on Saturday, April 27, 2013. A good fundraiser for a good cause in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We walked as 2 of the 39 registered members of team Saint James from our downtown church.

We are part of a crowd of over 3,500. As we round the corner of Lime and Chestnut streets the runners have gone way ahead.

What may look like street pavement in the far distance is actually the heads and backs of those ahead of us.. Our time for the 5k 1:06:45 or a rate of 21.5 minutes per mile including the 5 minutes or so waiting for the crowd to stretch out ahead of us. Only registered runners got a time chip to get an official time. We just went by the digital timer at the finish.

Lack of Leadership

The lack of leadership hall of shame. 2013 Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act  Thanks Morning Mika)

Senator Roger Wicker VOTED NO
Senator David Vitter VOTED NO
Senator John Thune VOTED NO
Senator Richard Shelby VOTED NO
Senator Jeff Sessions VOTED NO
Senator Tim Scott VOTED NO
Senator Marco Rubio VOTED NO
Senator Pat Roberts VOTED NO
Senator James Risch VOTED NO
Senator Mark Pryor VOTED NO
Senator Rob Portman VOTED NO
Senator Rand Paul VOTED NO
Senator Lisa Murkowski VOTED NO
Senator Jerry Moran VOTED NO
Senator MITCH McConnell VOTED NO
Senator Mike Lee VOTED NO
Senator Ron Johnson VOTED NO
Senator Mike Johanns VOTED NO
Senator Johnny Isakson VOTED NO
Senator James Inhofe VOTED NO
Senator John Hoeven VOTED NO
Senator Dean Heller VOTED NO
Senator Heidi Heitcamp VOTED NO
Senator Orrin Hatch VOTED NO
Senator Charles Grassley VOTED NO
Senator Lindsey Graham VOTED NO
Senator JEFF FLAKE VOTED NO
Senator Deb Fischer VOTED NO
Senator Mike Enzi VOTED NO
Senator Ted Cruz VOTED NO
Senator Michael Crapo VOTED NO
Senator John Cornyn VOTED NO
Senator Bob Corker VOTED NO
Senator Thad Cochran VOTED NO
Senator Ton Coburn VOTED NO
Senator Dan Coats VOTED NO
Senator Saxby Chambliss VOTED NO
Senator Richard Burr VOTED NO
Senator John Boozman VOTED NO
Senator Roy Blunt VOTED NO
Senator Mark Begich VOTED NO
Senator Max Baucus VOTED NO
Senator John Barrasso VOTED NO
Senator Kelly Ayotte VOTED NO
Senator Lamar Alexander - Voted NO

A Norfolk Southern Gallery - In Small Towns

Norfolk Southern Railroad in Pennsylvania towns Topton, Fleetwood and Sinking Spring

A Norfolk Southern Gallery - During Track Work

On the NS main East-West line in Pennsylvania, Sinking Spring is a good spot for watching, even on a day when one of the two tracks is closed for work

A Norfolk Southern Gallery - During Economic Recession

Norfolk Southern Action at Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania on the Norfolk Southern Lebanon Valley Line. In my first rail video outing of 2009 the decrease in freight loadings is now obvious. Shorter trains and fewer of them. I did not see an auto rack on either of two days I was filming.