Along the banks of the icy Mississippi,  the Rock
 Island railroad was where Mike worked for 4 years
 in college, first as “cab supply” (sweeping out cabooses), then as a “walk checker” (writing train
 ID#s on a clipboard), and finally as a “switchman” (repositioning inbound train cars for outbound
 destinations).  He was working full time at night
 and attending school during the day. 
Best time?  Chatting up the yardmaster as he orchestrated all
 the speakers and switches.  Worst time?  Finding
 one of the switchmen dead after he slipped on an
 icy track and was run over by a train.
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