It wouldn't be so bad but I literally need these for work. The metro closes at midnight and Im often working past those hours to cover owl shifts.

I now have to walk everywhere, watch what duty I get because im on the "Extra board", and beg the agency for a ride if they have me work in another yard.

Im angry and sad, mostly sad.

Quick update: Today marks the second week of revenue service training. My DL170 certificate is on its way, once received I can go to a DMV office to get my VTT on the spot and approval for CDL (which comes in the mail)

Today while practicing a route, I had to make a buttonhook turn into a tight intersection. Thankfully the city designed a "keep clear" box for us to successfully facilitate that turn.

But today a cybertruck was blocking us, he went completely across the limit line and into the box, clearly all that money and he can't read or doesn't care.

But that's okay, because my instructor told us to "teach him a lesson" and do the buttonhook anyways.

Absolutely satisfying making a cybertruck back down and reverse at the absolute size of your massive bus.

I am now a class B CDL holder with passenger endorsement!!!

YES! WOOOO!

Parking brake go PSSSH

This test will demonstrate to the state, the federal government, and the general public that I can safely drive a bus.

It composes of four sections. Air brakes, pre trip inspection, skills (parallel parking, alley dock backing) and road test.

The stakes are extremely high, because of how sensitive personal finances and life in general has become due to this risky career change. I've gotten this far in my endeavors to become the best bus driver and public servant I can be and I'm absolutely terrified I will fuck this up.

Save my spirit- I'm trying not to cry in so fucking stressed.

Tho a bestie described it as "DDR ahh ass vehicles"

Be not afraid, it's just the air brake system.

Pictured: unit 4 at lizard head pass, Colorado, 1950. Photo by the Ridgeway railroad museum

The Galloping Goose was a series of railcars built in the 1930s by and for the Rio Grande Southern Railroad (RGS) (Not to be mistaken with the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad) as an attempt to maintain revenue during the great depression when passenger and freight traffic severely dropped. During this time, RGS was strapped for cash and sought mail contracts. They developed a lightweight and cheap solution for their narrow gauge infrastructure which was fragile and battered by both deferred maintenance and the harsh elements of the rocky mountains.

Such solution was a series of gas and diesel automobiles fitted with bogies and cargo space- with the first unit constructed utilizing the front end of a Buick Master Six. Several additional units would be constructed using Pierce Arrows and GMC bodies with a variety of configurations to carry small freight, US mail and the occasional passenger. During WW2, the RGS continued to run irregular heavy freight service to haul livestock in addition to their goose lineups.

By 1950, the RGS lost their mail contract as the postal service found trucks more favorable. Few cars would remain and RGS would run occasional scenic tours throughout Telluride. In 1952, after losing the mail contract and being unable to maintain finances, the RGS would fold, with the final run of the cars assigned to carry track being torn up.

The name behind the “galloping goose” is unclear- but it is asserted that the name originated from the jittery nature of the railcars rolling through the battered trackage along with the installed horn resembling the sound of a duck.

A few units have been preserved and are mostly relegated to museum displays. However, two units run on excursions at the Knotts’ Berry Farms Ghost Town & Calico Railroad.

(day 69 of making memes out of strange emails i got from work)

Ngl it's kinda threatening