One of the things I regret is that I did not take the time to learn more about my family history from my parents when they were still living. Now I have a lot of questions and it is too late to ask. One of the best ways to learn about earlier times is to talk to the people who lived through them.
A while back, John Springer, who is a regular contributor the The Trackside Photographer, phoned me and said that he knew of several retired railroaders who had worked at a time when telegraphy and morse code were still in use by the railroad. A few weeks before Christmas, we had the opportunity to record a conversation with three “old-timers” and listen to their stories. This is history—living history.
Their stories are fascinating, and provide a vivid glimpse into a time when railroad operations were more akin to the 19th than to the 21st century.
Edd Fuller, Editor
My brother, Bob Hughes, would have loved this. Happy New Year.
Sharon, I though about Bob when we were working on this and, yes, I think he would have been very interested. I miss him, and I am sure you do too. Take care and all the best for the New Year.
It was a privilege to hear these stories. I learned not only fascinating things about telegraphy and about railroading in general, but also about what it was like for a young woman to work by herself in a remote, Canadian mining town, what was it like to hire on to the railroad (“I graduated from high school on a Sunday, and started work on Monday…”), and so much more. These folks have wonderful stories. Thank you so much for letting us sit in on this captivating conversation.