Big Boy

Big Boy came to town today 

    No, not the hamburger chain from years past, but the gigantic steam locomotive on the UP line.

    Big Boy is over 130 feet long.  That is almost half a football field!  There were 41 of them produced in 1941, but this is the only one still operating.  It is billed as the largest operating steam engine in the world.

    No, it does not burn coal or wood.  It uses diesel fuel to heat the water to steam, which drives the engine.

    Last year Big Boy was in Rochelle for half a day.  It stopped at the intermodal yard west of town and drew a crowd estimated by some at over 50,000.

    But today it only made a whistle stop .  It stopped at a packed railroad park in town for 15 minutes, then continued on its journey.

    Julia went with.

    While waiting for the train, which was behind schedule, we struck up a conversation with a man from Racine Wisconsin.  He brought his young son to see this piece of history before it disappears.

    They stopped at Franklin Grove to see the train, then headed to Rochelle to see it again.

    It was pretty cool.

    Now for something not cool.

    I have been cutting up my old raised garden wood into 4 foot lengths.  

    For the past 3 weeks I have loaded them onto my yellow yard cart and put them out by the street for Tuesday's trash collection.

    Beth was barking like mad at 4:30 or 5, so I got up to let her out.

    My yard cart was gone!

    I checked the trash can and it was still full.  So the trash people did not take it.

    I guess someone just assumed I was getting rid of the cart.

    I got in my van and drove the neighborhood, looking for the wood or cart but to no luck.

    Those carts are not cheap, either.

    And when I get a new one, I sure as hell won't put it out by the street!

Peace and Love

        Especially Peace