TUG 'N DONKEY DAYSEven today in our high-tech times of change we can still see strong evidence that the old-fashioned, somewhat stodgy and slow tug boats continue to be seen in the harbors of our coast lines; inland, more so at just about any location where a bit of railway lore exists the donkey engine is also hard at work doing its part of the transportation work of this great nation of ours as it continues to grow. Both are fading away,I suppose - more certain as methods become more and more mechanized and modernized. We cannot predict the future of valuable assets. The names will become meaningless in time, and the changes will, we hope, be largely cosmetic nature such as name changes o conform to our times and also recognition of improvements made in each of the units.
Names do that -become old-fashioned, quaint, and even obsolete. An example of one such change which has beentaking place all around us in recent months. Have you
wondered what has become of the many phone booths that used to be scattered all over your area? Wall phones in public areas are not being replaced, because there is no longer any need for them since the cell phone as taken over. Young people now in pre school training will have to have such items as phone booths, record player -perhaps tug boats and little donkey engines - full-sized trains, as well, for that matter.
A.L.M. January 29, 2006 [c308wds]
