What?? You say that the brains of those guys at Fulton Chain (Thendara) are waterlogged from the recent deluge?  Not so, according to Rosie, read on.

We started out with engineer Chuck Rowlee, whom Rusty had warned not to call me Elvira; acting Conductor Dan Rusaw, Don Stannard, Jr. – Trainman and photographer, and Car Host Joanne Rusaw on a typical exciting trip to Carter. After stopping briefly to let the passengers view bustling downtown Carter, I complied with Chuck’s urging to head south.

At Carter Rd. crossing near Safford Pond, a riderless horse raced across in front of me despite my shrieks to warn all I was coming.  Another horse with a rider was hot on the trail of the first horse unknown to the engineer. When I was shortly beyond the crossing, another riderless cayuse streaked past me and disappeared down the right-of-way. Conductor Dan ordered the train to stop when he spotted a horseless rider in the ditch, face down. Naturally, I complied and the rider, having recovered, appeared walking up beside me, the engineer pointing her in the direction her steed had vamoosed ‘round the bend south of MP H 63. I crept slowly southward. The rider finally gave up the horse hunt and asked us to call 9-1-1 to report the errant equine might be headed toward Route 28.  Since cell phone service is nil where we were, the engineer called Linda E. on my radio.  Linda, slaving away at her “desk” answered as quick as a wink or two and agreed to make the call.

I proceeded slowly southward as we kept our eyes peeled for the skittish cayuse.  Rounding the bend beyond Shanty Hill Crossing it was seen ahead of us by the tracks just north of MP H 62.I sneaked up as close as I dared, not wishing to spook the horse ag’in.  Fearless Dan Rusaw volunteered to make the capture.  Success at last!  Dan radioed, “Now what do I do with it? It won’t move. The footing is not good and it’s still skeered”. The engineer suggested tying it to a tree and reporting it’s location, not knowing the reins had been lost in its escapade.

ADIX Chief Equestrian, Linda E. when the dilemma was presented to her soothed, “Do not fear.  I’ll ride to the rescue.”  With Corky’s Hemi, a lead rope, halter and her walking shoes he drove to North St. crossing only a mile south of the hoss. In the meantime, Dating Dan whispered sweet nothings in the horse’s ear to calm it down. When Linda arrived, she and Dan led the riderless nag to a biking trail near the railroad. This time the horse had to listen to Linda’s stories as she led it to North St. where she loaded it on a trailer which had arrived, amazing the trailer people who were unaware of her hidden talents.

Once the horse was safely away from the railroad, the exhausted conductor scrambled aboard. Car Host Joanne who had kept the passengers entertained and Trainman Don who made a photographic record of the day’s historic events were now ready to go, so I revved up my 1750 ponies. “No spooked steed iz going to beat me to Thendara,” sez I. I braked to a stop at Thendara with barely time to cool my traction motors before the second trip of the day. Don’t reckon they have any horses in Otter Lake, but how fast do them thar emu’s run. Not to worry. Lucky Linda has her lead rope and halter!

My passengers? They were thrilled with their unique Adirondack Adventure.

Rosie (6076)