The following was found on a piece of paper blowing in a cold southern Wisconsin wind.
"On February 14, 2003, Mark W. Hemphill sent his 100th post to the Trains.Com Forums.
"Hemphill brings to the forum knowledge from his experience in the railroad industry where he has reportedly had more jobs than Dave Gunn or Ed King. He adds to that experience with research into the vast written documentation on railroads, supplemented with field research and interviews with top railroad officials. Except for something about the weight of a ton of wheat, his accuracy with facts and details is renowned. Fearlessly, he will weigh with in a voice of reason in the often bitterly disputed subjects, such as who made the best switch lanterns. The quality of his writing would put most forum contributors to shame, except rail fans have very little of that.
"Hemphill is also the Editor of Trains Magazine where he writes a monthly dead on editorial and frequently writes feature articles for the magazine. He spends the rest of the time on the job pacifying a whole bunch of incredibly picky rail fan subscribers who constantly threaten cancellation because the magazine content has too much of this and not enough of that. Undaunted, he shrugs the problem off with some comment about why he gets the big bucks.
"It is rumored that he writes a book or two on his lunch break.
"As his reward for his posting, he has been given a second blue star. However because of space considerations his stars only appear on his profile. A gala reward ceremony is planned for the near future.
Most untrue part: the big bucks. I wish!
Most true part: cold Wisconsin wind.
Actually, the only reason you find me on these forums at 1:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning is because the users of this forum are fun to talk to. I learn from some of you a lot of things I didn’t know, and from others of you, answering the questions you ask help me to clarify thoughts in ways I had not done before.
There have even been some potential authors I’ve identified from these very forums that you will see in future issues of Trains. This forum is SO unlike most of the other forums, which are little more than one-upmanship, posturing, and bitterness. You have to hand it to Ed, whose is always a voice of reason, and Mookie, who is always a voice of enthusiasm.
Mark - It’s always a pleasure to see you weigh in on a thread - You are even handed and present the facts as you know them. Many times those facts are things the rest of us don’t have access to, so we are all enlightened.
CONGRATS MARK [tup]
I’ve always enjoyed reading your threads,they truthfully
are works of art and very informative and to the point.
Please keep it up.([?] Don’t YOU at least get a star[?]
It is always good to see and read your posts. I have soooo much enjoyed the subjects you discuss with us in the threads. YOURS is the voice of knowledge and the experience does show.
Thank you for such quality and knowledgeable posts. [:)]
No big bucks (hey, it’s journalism, remember) and it’s only rumored that Hemphill takes lunch breaks. Other than that, I can concur with everything else.
Likely I’ve just ruined his career at KPC now. Sort of like Howard Dean getting endorsed by Al Gore.
Yeah, way to go Mark H.
You dont get a star to show off because that would indicate some bias towards Trains employees?
Just a guess on my part.
Still, at least a smiley face or two…?
Mark, I am new to this forum, though I have read some of your articles in the magazine. From what I have heard from you, I am Impressed! Thanks for all you share and congratulations. I suspect that even the “AntiGates” may concur. lol
Can we give Mark a few more stars for his “off the forum” replies??? (and yes Mark, we’re still thinking about Friday’s comment, less the sugarcoating")
congrats, its nice to have someone around who is at least supposed to be an exelent writer & editor. I am sorry to admit though, I have yet to sit down and actuaaly read your posts. I usually skim through threads, go ohh la la at photos, and be on my merry way. Ill read em one of these days. Congrats again