Good evening from MM 19, Hwy 55 S

Good evening from another Pilot Truckstop just short of the Arkansas border.  Yes, we did get two loads today, a shag run from Granite City, IL to the drop yard and from the drop yard to Jonesoro, AR.  It really wasn't much of a run as we will be at our destination in two hours tomorrow morning but at least I drove for a few hours.  Yes, I am getting my lil daily allowance but each day I don't drive, means more time I am stuck in this truck and as we all know; I am getting to the point where solitude is my dearest friend!

On a good note, I had a good day of "on the street" or in this case, "the foundry" interveiws.  Granite City is the home of United Steel and a few foundries that support this town......a very UNION town.  This particular foundry makes the bottom carriage/parts for trains......everything but the wheels.  It is called Amstad Rail and currently employs roughly 2500 individuals. 

I interviewed David (Miss Kelly), who has been working here for 8.5 years.  Justin, who has been here for 7 years (started at the age of 18); and Ron (Goat), who has been here for 17 years.  I joined them all for lunch (a very bad lunch I might add) and they shared a little about themselves.  The biggest news they had was old news and that was back in 2009, when 2000 were laid off which left a crew of 500 to run the place.  Things have since returned to normal as of last summer.

They produce 200-250 bolsters and sideframes a day!  A bolster weights 1500 pounds while the sideframe weighs in at 1000.  It was quite fascinating to watch the large equipment move these parts around and how quickly they were processed from beginning to end........the end of our truck to be exact.  Check out the pictures!

Miss Kelly & Justin

Goat

I would have taken more pictures but I wasn't surpose to take the ones I did......notified after the fact ;).  So this is it for today!