Keimey Keimey...that's what I called him, but I think I was the only one who did and he didn't seem to mind! Daniel Keim is his name, and I don't think I ever once saw him without this exact same smile on his face. I sure do hope he still wears it every day. A young fellow that was far lower on the seniority roster than engineer Bill, nonetheless he knew what he was doing and ran a good train. But his attitude and that smile is what I will never forget. He loved his job and it showed! Here he is in the fireman's seat of P31, a demotored former Amtrak F40PH that serves as a power car with an HEP generator on the opposite end of the Hurricane Turn train that operates in push pull fashion. The Hurricane rated two engineers (Bill being the regular other one) and a conductor back in these days (and presumably still does). This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Though, sadly I admit that I never took enough of these types of photographs, but those few that I do have deserve to be edited and shared in an album of their own. So, look for more soon in what will be a little series of Alaskan Railroaders. I had the absolute pleasure to work with the finest and most dedicated group of railroaders in all the land for six wonderful years from 2007 to 2013. It was the greatest honor of my life to lead these men and women as we worked as a team to grow service and become more efficient all while doing it safely in some of the harshest conditions to be found anywhere. And as the smiles in these photos will attest, we strove to have FUN while doing it. As in all jobs, there were bad days and frustrating times and personal conflicts that arise in any organization. But more than anywhere I have ever worked in more than two decades now, there was truly an esprit de corps on the Alaska Railroad and the pride these fine folks felt about their chose career was palpable day in and day out. I hope these images help show you a tiny glimpse into that wonderful world that was once my family and my home. So raise a glass to the finest railroaders I’ve ever known! Talkeetna, Alaska |
