Editorial Comment

August 13, 2001
We thought he was crazy, but...
I have known Brian Thom for 22 years.  We were neighbors in South Lyon when we discovered that we both enjoyed watching trains.  After our families moved from the old neighborhood, we kept in close touch.  And we still enjoy running off to Toledo occasionally to practice our hobby.
 
But when Brian bought his "speeder" I thought he had finally "lost it".  His wife just threw up her hands.  My own wife suggested that this was proof that all railfans are crazy.
 
Well, Brian worked on his former BN speeder in his back yard for over a year, reworking the engine with help from friends, giving it a new paint job and wheels, bringing it up to NARCOA, (North American Railcar Operators Association) standards.  He also bought a fancy new trailer and a nice truck to pull it (which cost more than the speeder).
 
All of his efforts came to a head two weeks ago when he took the speeder on its first major trip - from Iron Mountain to Ontonagon, Michigan and return - 250 miles in two days sponsored by NARCOA.  I got to go along, and I must admit -  it was great fun!
 
When my wife asked how it went, I summed it up this way: 
  • In part, it was like riding on the engine of a train - 30 mph for this route but they can go even faster.  And when you are just a few feet above the rail, it seems like the real thing.
  • It was also like a ride at Cedar Point - bumpy and noisy, occasionally scary.
  • Third, it was beautiful - train tracks go where man does not.  Lakes, rivers, trestles, dense woods and more.  Wildlife.  Train crews in the U.P. have a great view.
  • And finally, this trip was a history trip back in time.  The E&LS (this is a former Milwaukee Road branch) is a route that is stuck back in the 1950's.   Several depots still had station agents.  In Channing, the former MILW dispatcher's block telephone still sits on the desk.  Old block signals still stand.  Train order semaphore masts.  Motive power built back in the 50's.
Being interested in railroads comes in many shapes and sizes, but this was new to me.  Taking the speeder out is what I would call "extreme rail fanning".  And for our next trip, we are traveling up the Lake Superior & Ishpeming to tour the mines, yards, main line and docks - all from the track and close up.  Should be a great time!
 
-Dale Berry, Webmaster

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