One of the Southern agents in Opelika either had a warped sense of humor, or maybe just did not like me. Whatever the reason, he on multiple occasions gave incorrect info about what trains were where, and when they'd get to Opelika, etc. On this day day, he said 136 was a couple hours away. I hung around a good chunk of the day, catching a couple of trains on the WofA, but with no 136 showing up, figured he had done it to me again, and was probably in his office laughing at the idiot out in the heat waiting around for nothing. Finally, a good 2 hours after its predicted arrival, 136 rolled into view. The clean stack on 3819 told the tale. Not far out of Norris, 3819 had shut down. A decision was made to continue with just 3816 and B30-7 3507, and to try and get 3819 back on line. The big GE did not cooperate, so getting 136 over the hills south of Leeds had been slow-going, hence its lateness at Opelika. I guess me not believing him when he was telling the truth meant he - in a way - had gotten me again.
Photos taken in the Deep South--primarily Alabama and Georgia--from the 1970s to the early 2000s. Featured railroads include the ICG, the West Point Route, SCL, Southern, Frisco, and even KCS.
