When a Deaf-Autistic Gentlemen Called Mentally Challenged By Other Railroaders Handles an EMD F7.

*****link to the full story/statement*****

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I am very happy to share this video of my experience with the Monticello Railway Museum. With the release of this video documenting my experience and the premier of my NH Chronicle interview I felt that it was prudent that I did a summary. Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for the amazing educational experience that the Monticello Railway Museum provided to me. The tour that I have received of their yard, equipment, signal tower, and engine house was truly quite impressive. I felt right at home being around the railyard and equipment. There was not one moment of my time at the Monticello Railway Museum that I didn’t enjoy. I was deeply impressed with their office car that was built back in the 1920s and in its original condition from that period. One of the roometes is similar to an old RCA Victor AM radio from between the 1930s and 1940s. It was literally like taking a step back in time, something that I wish I could do more often. For a very long time I’ve always wanted to see the interior of an E-unit. I was amazed by both of the E-units that I toured on their property. One of the E-units was a former Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive. I’ll never forget it as long as I live. I really want to express my gratitude towards the Monticello Railway Museum. All of the volunteers, including the two enginemens who I met were very cordial and professional. I greatly appreciate that. I really also would like to thank everyone who supported my GoFundMe campaign.It was such a rejuvenating experience and a dream come true handling Wabash 1189 GMD F7. Before handling the GMD F7, I had a couple of goals that I felt were very imperative that I accomplished. I’m so elated that I exceeded the goals that I sought to accomplish during my time handling Wabash 1189. As seen in the video, while handling the locomotive I was for the most part 100% independent. Throughout the entire time handling Wabash 1189 I never once caused any slack run in. The only awkward moment that I can recall is not having a rag on me and instead had to use my gloves that weren't large enough to suppress the loud exhaust sound the independent brakes make when bailing off. Despite that, I wouldn’t have been independent in handling the locomotive if I hadn't taken the time over the years to read the enginemen’s manual for various units, etc. that I’ve had since I was a senior in high school. Just to be clear, that doesn’t mean I know everything. But I do my very best to take the time to learn as much as I can because it’s something I am passionate about.I’ve made many connections over the past couple of years with both (current and retired) railroaders. I’m very grateful for that. I have the utmost respect for the hard work that railroaders do. I know what I am about to share that I might lose some of those connections that I made. However, I feel like at this point in my life it’s in my best interest to share this. Ever since I was a junior in high school, I’ve always wanted to work for a heritage and/or Class III railroad. I was very determined to start off as a trainman/brakeman and work my way up to becoming an enginemen. I would reach out to multiple railroads in my state and throughout New England just to always get either ignored or harsh push back from the railroad solely because of my differences that would not prevent me from doing the tasks required in railroad operations. The lack of education regarding my differences has held me back from reaching my career goals for years. It was an awful experience a decade ago. I was admonished for simply wanting to learn more about the career. I know my parents and grandparents generation would never admonish a teenager for showing an interest in learning about a career. It’s so hard to write this because of the connections I made in the railroad community over the past couple years and I am afraid to lose them.I have only shared this story with a couple of people. This is something that has bothered me for quite some time. I’ve kept quiet about it, because I felt that it would’ve sparked counterproductive conversation. Back in August of 2023 I went on a job shadow with a railroad in my state that was facilitated by my job developer on behalf of vocational rehabilitation. I toured two positions, one position was outside of railroad operations and the other was the trainman position. I knew the career path of the railroad I was set on within a heritage and/or Class III railroad. I was focused on the trainman position.

#deaf #autistic #monticellorailwaymuseum #wabash #wabash1189 #emd #gmd #F7 #railroad #vintagetrains #fallenflag #illinois newhampshire #newengland #whitemountains