Late post since we were driving, but today is International Women's Day, so I wanted to say a little something.
Being a woman in railroading is still really fucking hard. It's gotten easier, and the women who came before me had it a lot harder than I did, but it's still a heavily male-dominated space, and growing up it was really tough to even be acknowledged. I had a lot of people, even other kids, questioning me for having a "boys' hobby" and the old men who dominated the hobby didn't want me there and made no secret of it.
Anyway, I said fuck it and went on to design and drive steam locomotives anyway because I am a spiteful little gremlin of a woman, and when it came time for me to have someone in the cab with me, I knew I didn't want a cis man in there firing the locomotive, because I wanted someone who traditionally wasn't here to have that opportunity with me. As luck would have it, we found Fireman. She and I clicked from day one, and the conversations we have in the cab as we're driving would probably freak a lot of people out but that's just part of the joy of finding a friend who really fits nicely into your life. Aside from Conductor she's my best friend, and it's such an honor to share the cab with her.
Today we made our usual run back from Pittsburgh to New Jersey, and I got to thinking about just how lucky we both are to be doing this, and how I hope we make it easier for the little girls who come up after us, and how I get to do all of this with a dear friend.
And before you say anything, International Women's Day includes trans women, so don't pull any terf bullshit on this post or I'll chase you down with a huge fucking wrench. Fireman and I are both cis women, but when we say all women, we mean ALL women. Terfs aren't welcome on this train.
Today at school, a girl told me at the reception that she did not like me and that I was ugly. That's why I came home and used makeup like I wasn't myself 🔥🔥🔥
this is Sylvie, she’s my vulpix and she’s one of my favourite things I own. My boyfriend’s awesome and got her for me as a christmas present. Alolan vulpix is one of my favorite pokémon ever so I’m really happy I have her 💕
Gave his hair more floof!! The joints weren’t as hard as I expected, but the blink was a nightmare- For the next dolls, I think the process will be a little smoother 🫡
[Process] (behind the scenes)
Would anyone be interested to see these made step-by-step? (Actually taking pics as I go along)