I have a post graduate education in the social sciences and I enjoy research.
I have a Master’s degree in National Security Studies from American Public University (2008) and a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminology from Florida State University (2000). I also have additional education in the legal and social science fields.
My railroad lifestyle goes back into my childhood. I’m a near-senior lady that has loved trains since 4 years old. At 9 year old I had my own N-set model trains. At 10-11 years old, in about 1973, I saw the “cat head,” Ches-C, for the first time. The Ches-C is very important in my childhood, and I don’t take the history of it lightly. Today, my friends and I travel to several other states to photograph and shoot videos of mostly CSX trains.
Right now, I belong to four railroad historical societies related to CSX’s heritage. All talk only about rail yards, locomotives, routes, and post nice pictures. No room for participation, and that includes the history of the who, what, when and how of the railroads they represent. Both websites are loaded with well researched history and fun facts about CSX and Chessie System you won’t read anywhere else.
Websites:
Friends of CSX – https://www.friendsofcsx.com
Chessie Nation – https://www.chessienation.com
The goal is to build inclusive sites where members can participate and even author some articles and lead groups.
Future projects:
Help with funding of historical societies and building projects.
Use my security education to push back against the horrible idea put out by the Department of Homeland Security regarding train photography and terrorism. We need to change this idea, also planted in the minds of the public, and safety and freedom back to train photography once again!
Develop and model safe and respectable habits and practices for trackside hobbies, train watching and photography, which emphasis on safety and respect for private property, especially railroad property.
On August 22, 2025, BNSF and CSX announced a partnership that will provide seamless, efficient, coast to coast intermodal service. It’s an interesting partnership and collaboration that could be far better than that long and grinding road of merger and consolidation.