Generational Reenacting

["Doc" Nelson]

Re: Generational Reenacting

Well . . I'm the only one from my family to "endeavor" into this hobby. Both of my sons are really interested in what I do (my particular impression), the hobby, as well as history in general. But, we have a few years, before they are of age. My wife is also interested in portraying a civilian. So, we can attend some events as civilians and, together as a family.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Generational Reenacting

Hallo!

No, not me... Sigh.

I tried to interest my father, a WWII and Korea veteran. But he said "I did it for real, why would I want to do it for pretend."

My wife did for years when we were Mainstream. But when I moved on, she quit. :(
Our daughter did until about age 10 and lost interest. :(

I tried to interest my brother-in-law. But after one event his wife made him quit.:tounge_sm

My daughter at age 3...


Curt

[tenthovi]

Re: Generational Reenacting

At the time I started reenacting back in 1991, the only way I could do it was my father had to get involved. So I more or less dragged him into the hobby with me. Then my mother got involved, and my sister for a few years. Now 16 years later, thousnads of dollars, one trailer, one 1841 6lb field gun, several hundred pounds of powder, lots of head aches and laughs........priceless.
Sorry I could not help myself.

So I am a first generation reenactor, and a 4th generation professional railroader.

[Becky Morgan]

Re: Generational Reenacting

Mr. Edwards, may I ask which railroads your family has run on? Four generations covers a lot of railroad history.

[Micah Trent]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I represent the first generation. I have tried to get my father to get into the hobby, but he would rather be one who reads on it and watch it rather than portray it. My brother on the other hand is interested and may take up the hobby once school is out. He is excellent at playing the bugle.

[tenthovi]

Re: Generational Reenacting

Mr. Edwards, may I ask which railroads your family has run on? Four generations covers a lot of railroad history.

Well lets see my great grandfather started working for B&O shortly before WW1. He went into the service during WW1. After his term in the service he went back to work for B&O in 1920 and worked his way up from baggage handler to a conductor in passenger service. He spent the last 15 years of service working out of Cincinnati on the B&O's National Limited to St. Louis. He retired in 1962 after 42 years of service.

My grandfather started his railroad career after being discharged from the service in 1946 after serving with the 31st Infantry Div. in the PTO. He went to work for the B&O as far as I know as a head end brakeman. At some point he started working as a fireman. He was working the former CH&D properties from Cincinnati to Toledo. After a few years of living on the extra board and work being irregular, he went to work for the P&G Railroad at Ivorydale. P&G had their own railraod to switch out the Ivorydale complex. He retired from the P&G Railroad as a engineer after 33 years, and spent the next 10 years working as a engineer for the Indiana & Ohio Railroad on the Mason branch. Then he finally retired in 92 or 93.

My father started in the railroad industry in mid-80's. He went to work for the Indiana & Ohio Railroad, and became their Supt. of Locomotives. He rebuilt, and oversaw all the mechanical issues dealing with the locomotives the company had. He left the compnay in the early 90's and started Edwards Locomotive Service. Where we did contract mechanical work for railroads on their locomotives.

As for myself I have been legally working in the industry for 11 years now. By the time I was 5 years old I knew how to run a locomotive. I have worked for several companies over the years. I have done everything from track and locomotive maintenace to currently being an FRA qualified engineer. I have worked for Railserve Inc. which took over the switching for the P&G Ivorydale complex. So that is ironic. Working the same place my grandfather did. I have also worked as a conductor for Norfolk Southern running between Cincinnati and Danville, Ky (former Southern Railway/CNOTP route). I think that is why I like Perryville so much. I have spent a lot of time down there. I have also worked for RJ Corman Central Kentucky Lines. Working out of Lexington, Ky, and either working towards Winchester, Ky, or over towards Louisville. The route was orignally was the L&N.

And now I am slowly working on getting my business off the ground. Pretty much my company specializes railway passenger equipment restoration & operation, locomotive work, and shortline and industrial railroad operations. I also own a private railcar, that I purchased from Amtrak several years ago.

So if I am not reenacting I am usually railroading. I guess that is what got me into reenacting was railroading. Just because of the history involved in railroads led me into history of the Civil War. If that makes any sense. Oh well......I hope I didn't bore anybody.

[jarednichols]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I grew up going on the standard NYC Public school field trips of the Conference House and Richmondtown... i always thought to myseld "i want to do that too"

My family had no intrest in reenacting (as much as i pushed them to give it a try) eventually I became a "first generation" reenactor when i joined a unit when I was 12 or 13 ..i eventually dropped being part of a "unit" and went indy with some of my friends....i was pretty active through high school then went to college... now i am starting to get back into the hobby (and attempting my fiancee to give it a shot too)

I am the first generation, but hopefully not the last

[Bucktail_H_jfs]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm first generation, only starting 2 years ago. My daughters got me into it. They started 4 years ago. They started out working as volunteers at Fort Delaware, one portrayed the cook, the other the laundress. Then they wanted to expand and dragged mom and dad out. We've been hooked since then. My wife has now started to portray Clara Barton this year. As for me, I'm just a plain 'ole infantry boy with a "Bucktail" unit out of Kennett Square, Pa.

Cpl. Joe Sodomin
13th PRVC, "Bucktails"
Co. H, "Kennett Rifles"

[Jackson Stokes]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm a second Generation Reenactor. My dad started when I was 8 and i've been involved ever since. I started in Artillery when my dad and uncle made a 6 pound Napolean, and started in Cobb's bttry. Then I moved to Infantry, and lately I have branched out into Calvary.

Jackson Stokes
Critter Company

[ArtilleryNick]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I am currently the 1st generation of my family to be involved in reenacting. I enlisted into a battery of artillery 7 years ago this month. I am currently trying to get some other family members interested in it, but I may need to drag them to a battle re-enactment for that to happen.

[Becky Morgan]

Re: Generational Reenacting

Mr. Edwards, I forgot to reply earlier. That is one interesting family history over some historic rail. I'm glad you continue to add to it.

Know what you mean about "legally" railroading for 11 years. Pre-9/11, the rules were a bit, shall we say, less intrusive, and it was possible for someone with a strong interest in railroading and a cooperative and generous host to get her hands on the controls of an occasional diesel.

You have a PV? May I ask which?

[tenthovi]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I sent you a PM Becky, so as not to get this topic to far off track. Pardon the pun.

[fiddle_for_him]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I'm a first generation reenactor... and am trying to get my parents in on it! Just a quick question though. Are there any other reenactors that are under 30? Or younger... I'm 16 and feel like I might be to young to get into this...

[reb290]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I am a first gen reenactor also. My mom has finally given up and joined me.

[DOC1861]

Re: Generational Reenacting

I was the first one in the family to start in the hobby. Shortly there after my older brother joined the same group as I did. About a year later both my parents joined the same group. Last year I pulled my neice and nephew into to hobby. I just had to pass the addiction along.