I made it to ENGINEER!!!

[thegrindre]

OMG! You've added a CEO! I thought I had made it to the top already.

Well, then, I'm with Wolve in rackin' up another post.

[Hawk]

Well, then, I'm with Wolve in rackin' up another post.

Oh No! Now we're going to have a bunch of nonsensical posts to add post counts.

OMG! You've added a CEO! I thought I had made it to the top already.

Actually, that's always been there. When I upgraded to this new version all that data was copied from the old board.

[Gwizz]

I forgot to have a party when I became an engineer.

[KevinL]

Sorry I'm late to the party, but I'll hoist a root beer in your direction and say congrats!

[wsherrick]

Congratulations to you Grindre. Now that you've made it you need to report to the enginehouse at 4:30 AM to break the bank in the firebox, shake down the ashes, top off the tender, rake the fire after breaking the bank, throw in a few scoops of coal to get her going, open the turret valve, blow down the water glasses, check the water level in the boiler, crack open the blower valve to start a draft for your fire, check the fire again, put on about 20 or 30 scoops of coal, wipe your hands on your pants, bitch about how crappy the coal is they keep buying, open the engine house doors to let in some fresh air, fill the lubricators on the air compressor, fill the hydrostatic lubricator in the cab, oil the other hundred places that need oil, oil the driving wheel boxes, oil the pony trucks, check the journal boxes on the tender, fill with oil if necessary, get some more clean rags, shoo away the annoying railfans who distract you with the same endless questions they asked you the last time they showed up, put some more coal in the firebox, turn up the blower to raise steam, start the air compressor pumps, after you get enough air to blow the water out of the reservoirs, shut the drain cocks, your fireman should be showing up about now to do half of this stuff, but it's okay because you've done it already-tell him to sit up in the cab to watch the pressure gauge so he'll stay out of the way, now that you've got steam and air pressure up for the brakes, take the engine out to the ash pit, make the fireman shake down the grates, take coal, run up to the plug to top off the tender again, blow down the boiler, put the engine on the train, do your terminal inspection, your brake test, have your meeting with the other members of the crew to work out the days activities, climb into your exhalted seat on the right hand side of the cab, and get ready to start your day.

[Hawk]

Be careful what you wish for Rick.

[proudcanadian]

Congrats Grindre, I too will raise a glass of root beer(or cream soda) in celebration of your 500th post

[thegrindre]

Congratulations to you Grindre. Now that you've made it you need to report to the enginehouse at 4:30 AM to break the bank in the firebox, shake down the ashes, top off the tender, rake the fire after breaking the bank, throw in a few scoops of coal to get her going, open the turret valve, blow down the water glasses, check the water level in the boiler, crack open the blower valve to start a draft for your fire, check the fire again, put on about 20 or 30 scoops of coal, wipe your hands on your pants, bitch about how crappy the coal is they keep buying, open the engine house doors to let in some fresh air, fill the lubricators on the air compressor, fill the hydrostatic lubricator in the cab, oil the other hundred places that need oil, oil the driving wheel boxes, oil the pony trucks, check the journal boxes on the tender, fill with oil if necessary, get some more clean rags, shoo away the annoying railfans who distract you with the same endless questions they asked you the last time they showed up, put some more coal in the firebox, turn up the blower to raise steam, start the air compressor pumps, after you get enough air to blow the water out of the reservoirs, shut the drain cocks, your fireman should be showing up about now to do half of this stuff, but it's okay because you've done it already-tell him to sit up in the cab to watch the pressure gauge so he'll stay out of the way, now that you've got steam and air pressure up for the brakes, take the engine out to the ash pit, make the fireman shake down the grates, take coal, run up to the plug to top off the tender again, blow down the boiler, put the engine on the train, do your terminal inspection, your brake test, have your meeting with the other members of the crew to work out the days activities, climb into your exhalted seat on the right hand side of the cab, and get ready to start your day.

Holy crap! Is there anyway to get demoted...

[CeeBee]

It's pretty hard not to take the oppotunity to get a wee bit closer to leaving the dungeon and getting up to the basement so

Party on and Congratulations!!!

[wsherrick]

Sorry, folks, just a little thing of mine. It's my 500th post.
I've always wanted to be an engineer ever since I was a kid and I have finely made it.

I just made it on the Extra Board with you Grindre. See you down at the engine house.

[Hawk]

...and a hearty Congratulations to you too William.

[thegrindre]

Congratulations!!!

[Canadian Viking]

Whoo Hooo for wsherrick! Always great to have another reason to grab a root beer. Please report to the crew house to turn in your coal shovel and pick up your tallow pot. It won't be long now and your engineering skills will earn you the nickname Wild Willy, and the track gang will be grumbling about how you pound the rails by turning the drivers too fast! Keep those steam engines moving!

[wsherrick]

Thank you all very much. I am deeply touched by your statements.

[Grandma Ruth]

I made it too - this is number 500

[Knave]

Congratulations!! Quite a accomplishment!! Good Job!!

[proudcanadian]

Congrats Ruth!!!!

[Gwizz]

Da hum bug, a bunch of bucket months.

[Canadian Viking]

Congratulations, Grandma! I noticed a few days ago that your post then was #498 so I was prepared for another opportunity to hoist a root beer! Always glad for a reason to do so. Just give the whistle signal when you need the brakes applied by lowly lads like myself. Am I correct in thinking that universities world wide should now include your name in their women's studies program as the female pioneer in the field of Hawk & Badger engineers?

Who's next? Wolverine has less than 100 to go; so keep 'em coming.

[Hawk]

It won't be long and we'll have too many Chiefs and not enough engines.

Congrats Ruth for working your way up through the ranks, ya' old motor mouth you.