
DG 'Rusty' Alderson,
TOAST President
Mostly 1830 -1930
Rusty's
All American
Stories
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Not an official Metra Site
Gilded Age & Train Historian
Train Railfan
Historical Characters, Lincoln Family,
Frontier Arizona, Early Railroads

TOAST email: GAstorybook@gmail.com
Public Edition
Welcome
Underlined links are available to you. Scroll down for informatiion to access more stories

PROMOTING HISTORY
BECAUSE HISTORY DOES MATTER!**
** How do we know where we are going ... if we don't know where we have been?
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T.O.A.S.T.
NEWSLETTER
'Track Anxiety"
at Geneva
Metra Station
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DG 'Rusty' Alderson
President & Editor
Gilded Age & Railroad Historian
Master Story Teller
Amtrak Tour Guide & Tour Organizer
Robert Todd Lincoln reenactor
Former 20 year Arizona resident
President T.O.A.S. T.
Growing up adjacent to train tracks started my love for trains. Over the years I have gathered rail stories, organized 60 train excursions (involving thousands of riders), served as an Amtrak tour guide and train museum docent in Arizona and Illinois.
During my day in Geneva, IL, I engage with people and share a story or two. Most often this happens at Geneva's Metra station, on 3rd Street and/or while walking in the parks.
I then give them my card with an invitation to
visit my website for access to more stories .
INVITATION
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Rusty invites you for a "sidewalk conversation (5 -10 minutes) over the telephone.as the first step to gain access to our stories
You can email to schedule
a call or you can call me directly.
I look forward to talking with you.
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224 449 1420
​ (10am - 8pm Mon-Sat)
No obligation. Free, complimentary community service ... because history matters


Next Get Together
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Tuesday April 22, 2025
2 - 3:30
Across from Geneva Station
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So. Parking Lot
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No reservation needed
Come anytime ...
stay as long or short as you want
Rail Fans Geneva Chapter
Important information
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Upcoming Get Togethers
Topics and more
LOCAL INTEREST
Two Distinguished Ladies associated
with Fabyan
Wheeler Park
and the Great Chicago Fire of
1871
Mary Todd Lincoln
visits Kane County
A tunnel under the Fox River? Really.
Rusty happily shares
these stories.
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Links will be provided
based on your interest(s).
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LOCAL INTEREST
Track Anxiety
at Geneva Metra
Station
Walt Disney's
Railroad
Connection to
MOOSEHEART
Why an RR Underpass on Rt 31 and not at 3rd?
Why do St Charles
Metra passengers
have to board
in Geneva?


FEATURED VIDEO

JJ Keigley, Mike Best, and Roger Wilhelmi, W. Chicago, Batavia, and Geneva residents, share their stories and experiences from their combined 135 years of working on the railroad. Be ready for an entertaining and informative session and for Mark Llanuza's photos.
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At the end of video, JJ Keigley, an immensely popular Metra conductor for 17 years, is shown being honored in a very moving ceremony on ABC 7 , Windy City Live, “Chicagoans you need to Know”. Metra honors JJ by naming the UP West Corridor the “JJ Keigley Corridor” - .
Stories from 'When America Grew Up' (1830-19300)
also include
the Lincoln's family,
frontier Arizona and
early local railroad history.
Who’s Who
of America's
Forgotten History Makers
1830 -1930
Read entertaining and informative stories
​ about history makers who our history
teachers didn’t have time to share
Series 2
History Slices
History Makers 1830 - 1930
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He wanted to paint but his dad wanted him to be an engineer ... his painting today is worth millions, his invention was revolutionary.
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Lincoln Family 1830 -1930
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Why did Robert Todd Lincoln wished he never played golf on that January 1906 day in Wheaton, IL
Gilded Age Living 1830 -1930
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​​This doctor's method and prescription for dealing with stress ... well, let's say were interesting
Early Railroads 1830 -1930
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This railroad baron took on a mistress, who he eventually married. Upon his death, he subsequently married his nephew (also a RR Baron) and together they established a renowned museum.
Frontier Arizona 1830 -1930
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Going beyond the TV Westerns
Places and Events 1830-1930
The first Las Vegas is not where
one would ever imagine
Series 1
Stories by Theme
Early Railroads &
Gilded Age History Makers
How RR Barons Met Their Wives
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Hist Makers Who Died Broke
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They Impacted History
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Sons of Legendary Fathers
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California Rail Barons
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Disgraced Powerful Men
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Creative Frauds
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Game Changers
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Interesting Railroad Men
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How They Found Their 'Gold'
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Sons Who Were Duds
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Unusual Events
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Series 3
Monthly Stories
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He painted the Masters in the Louvre, but failed to sell his painting in America, thus having to turn to Plan B; his invention changed communication. .
2. The new railroad would put its future on t he line when it accepted an dare to race
a horse.
3. Louise's father told George, an immigrant, he wasn't good enough for his daughter.
George set out to prove him wrong.
4. What was so valuable 1000 years ago that led cacao traders from Central America to
trade with Native Americans in the Four
Corners Region (AZ, UT, CO, NM).
5. The father’s assassination helped to create
a company his son would become CEO
some 30 years later at the age of 56 and
would serve as CEO & Chairman of the
Board for 25 years before retiring at
age 79.
6. The question of the day regarding horses
led to an invention we enjoy today.
7. No one realized that this new invention
could some day shrink the nation.
8.. Beautiful, sophisticated women leading
cause of stress, among other conditions
leads to Americanitis
Request Themes
for the following:
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Gilded Age Women
A. Lincoln Family
Frontier Arizona
TEASERS
For most of us, high school was boring .. as our teachers provided the 'foundation' (think dates, etc.).
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Thus, there was little time left for stories.
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Rusty has been on the hunt for those entertaining and informative stories that would have made history class actually enjoyable.
HistMakers 18230 -1930
This Doctor's method for dealing with stress ... well, let's say were interesting
Lincoln Family 18230 -1930
Why did Robert Todd Lincoln wished he never played golf on that January 1906 day in Wheaton, IL
Early Railroads 1830 -1930
Who started as his mistress, married him, and then married his nephew leading to the establishment of a famous musem?
Name these Personalities
History Maker 1830 - 1930
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He wanted to paint but his dad wanted him to be an engineer ... his painting today is worth millions, his invention was revolutionary.
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Lincoln Family 1830- 1930
​Waiting at a crowded train station, he was pushed by the crowd and about to fall in between two passenger cars, when someone grabbed his shirt. Who saved him from serious injury if not death?
​​IRON HORSE
NEWSLETTER

Information and/or to
schedule your call with Rusty
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or call Rusty directly
224 449 1420
​ (10am - 8pm Mon-Sat)


