Gasoline Alley by Jim Scancarelli for September 13, 2014

Touching.

Somehow I don’t think he’s really going to die anytime soon, but if he does, he will certainly die happy.

I think Polly’s earned her place in the “Dead Parrot” sketch.

For readers who are railroad enthusiasts, here is a link to a wonderful video showing in-the-cab operations of a steam locomotive. It is from Great Britain, so the “driver” is on the left, rather than the right. He gives a lot of detail about what he is doing. It also shows how physically hard steam operators work!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHuYeYttBb8

Here is another, similar video – the second locomotive of a double header pulling up hill, again, riding along in the cab. I just wish these beautiful locomotives could have American style whistles – the high pitched sound of European type whistles don’t feel as “dramatic” to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xATwWFOnDQY

Wonderful story! Even though Joel isn’t directly featured today. The highball comment has me a bit perplexed… I too (like the wonderful parrot, Polly) thought of a nice, cool drink. I get the alliteration here, but was wondering if that “highball” statement is some sort of railroad lingo I am not familiar with.

… was wondering if that “highball” statement is some sort of railroad lingo I am not familiar with.

Yes, it is.

highball (noun): a railroad signal for a train to proceed at full speed

highball (verb): to go at full or high speed <a highballing express train>

Example: <trying to make up for lost time, the train just highballed through the station without stopping>

First known use: 1912

From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-ball?show=0&t=1410641000

Here is a highball signal in action.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/string_bass_dave/5216794107/