I collect it. Mostly items from old Pennsylvania RR stations. One of my favorite traditions of the Christmas season is coming up -- people bringing out their train tracks!
My grandfather worked as a welder in the Altoona Railroad shops. I used to hike all the mountains around Horseshoe Curve above Altooona. I have two PRR oil lanterns around here somewhere.
I've acquired many RR antiques over the years, I'm a 6th generation railroader myself....... Some of my prized possessions are my Great Grandfathers blacksmithing tools...... I also have a 500lb PRR anvil, and lots of PRR insignia tools. And I have two original parts from a famous steam locomotive (PRR K4s #1361) from when the locomotive was restored in the 1980's.
My Grandfather was a Railroad Machinist, and so was I when I first started, then moved up to an Engine House Manager, and finally to a Safety Coordinator, but after 10 years of it, I got out Because tug boats are powered by locomotive engines, I ended up doing a stint on tugs as an engineer (down in the engine rooms), then ultimately decided I did not have web feet and went dockside to welding US Navy Destroyers. The odd thing was, it was all with the Machinist Union, so I got out when I could, and have a pretty good nest egg built up when I hit 55 and can withdraw it. It was an odd career path, but I cannot complain.
Tough area...steep grades, back to back curves...with greasers. Must be some serious "pucker factors" coming down those mountain with 15,000 tons of coal behind you!
Somewhere I came across a B&O RR Lufkin 50' tape measure. It's leather bound and embossed with "B&O RR". The tape is a cloth/canvas material. Anyone know if it is "collectable" or has much value? My wife tried a few years ago to sell it on ebay but no luck. I'd just like it preserved (if it deserves it) in some collectors collection. I'll try to get a pic of it.
I'll bet CSX was a better place to work before Hunter Harrison came aboard and brought his friends with him from what I've ben reading he's made a mess out of CSX. I work for Norfolk Southern, an electrician at the Juniata Locomotive Shops.