Patrick Batchelor was an active volunteer with the TRHA while he was training in Toronto for a career in the railway industry.  Before sharing a note from him about what he is doing today, a little background information is needed.

“I have been absent for quite awhile from Roundhouse Park and thought I’d best contact you with an explanation.  For the last six months I’ve been employed with Hulcher Professional Services Inc., with headquarters in Denton, Texas.  I work out of their Toronto shop located inside the bowl at CN’s Macmillan Yard.  Hulcher is a railroad contractor specializing in train wrecks and derailments. We also change turnouts and switches, signal towers, wheel sets and traction motors.  Being on call 24 hours per day and 7 days per week has not allowed me to visit the roundhouse.    For the last three months I’ve been stationed in White River, Ontario which is an hour northwest of Wawa.  It is very cold up here, -30 C most days in the winter,  and boring.  We’ve handled a few wrecks this winter, including two engines on their sides near Chapleau and several big derailments out in the bush near Hawk Junction.  We have our own train consist of six flat cars for the equipment, an engine and two caboose. I am an operator on one of the four Caterpillar 583 Sideboom Tractors that we use to right a derailed or wrecked train.  It is difficult and dangerous at times, but I have learned a great deal about this unique business.”

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