Thanks for making time to listen to a few of my stories.
I have always been interested in American history but heading a children's charity and raising a family did not allow time. Upon retirement I spent several years re reading those history books that I had just read in school to pass the test. During these reads, I paid particular attention to record (for retelling) those interesting and informative stories my history teachers didn't have time to share.
I organized Santa Express Trains to the North Pole for 10 years during my tenure with the children's charity. This intensified my passion for trains which I had had from youth. Upon retirement, I continued feeding my train passion by riding most of Amtrak's trains, even serving as an Amtrak tour guide.
My train passion went through the roof when I learned Robert Todd Lincoln arguably set the record for riding the most miles on trains before age 25, and while Secretary of War he traveled by train to many military places out West, AND at age 55 replaced George Pullman as the CEO of nation's largest rail manufacturing company, the Pullman Palace Car Co. Robert serve as CEO for 11 years and then continue as chairman of the Board for another 14 years! He definitely became a railroad baron.
With this knowledge, I chose to become a Robert Todd Lincoln reenactor. I found only 2 books on Robert Todd Lincoln. Yet, these books contained valuable information and stories I found delight in sharing as his reenactor.
For information and stories about
Robert Todd Lincoln tap here Mary Todd Lincoln tap here
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Geneva Metra Station
Safety Issues
Posted 5/15/2025
The good news: more passengers are arriving at the Geneva station at least 10 minutes prior to their scheduled train arrival. Many, but not all, now know to listen 7 minutes before the scheduled train arrival for platform arrival information.
However, that is not everyone! On Tuesday and Wednesday (May 13 & 14), I waved 6 cars and 12 people who arrived at the staton 3-5 minutes prior to their train arrival and expecting to board on Platform 1 to immediately go to Platform 2.
Fortunately, all made it to Platform 2 safely. No one missed their trains.
I had not witnessed anyone walking under the downed gates to get to Platform 2 for two weeks.
However, on May 14, a young man running down Platform 1 as the train was coming in on Platform 2, chose to go under the down gates and in front of the train!
Earlier in the year, I witnessed a similar situation except the person ran under the down gates and crossed the tracks in front
a fast moving freight train!
I have witnessed conductors not allowing passengers who go under the downed gates to board the train.
On Wednesday May 21, I am expecting to meet with a Metra Passenger Safety Department supervisor.
SHELTER INCIDENT posted 5/14/2025
Platform 2 shelters (on time locks) now lock at 2:00 pm on weekdays; shelters are not open on weekends.
On a recent Friday a passenger after getting off an outbound train on Platform 2, entered the southwest shelter at 1:58, sat down and placed his back pack on the seat. He then exited the shelter to make a call. At 2:05 when he attempted to get into shelter the door had locked!
Geneva police were called; they do not have a key; the officer called Metra who did said they couldn’t help. Since the shelters are not open on weekends, I came to the shelter at 5:05am Monday morning to retrieve his back pack. I dropped it off at Geneva Police Department and called him.
Later, I called the Anderson Lock Company who installed the time locks. The technician told me Metra can set the time lock from their computer.
For several weeks prior to this incident, I had been monitoring the open and closing during the afternoon. I determined the door locked at 2:45pm.
I don't know why on that Friday and continuing, the door locked at 2:00pm.
Note: there is no signage pertaining to shelter hours.