DIRT THE CAT
Learn more about everyone's favorite orange cat, our King of the Shop, Dirt & continuing the legend, his trusty sidekick Dirt Junior (DJ).
TRAIN SAFETY
is Your Responsibility!
- Dirt The Cat
Dirt’s Story
In the spring of 2008, a little kitten of orange and white fur was found in the engine house by himself. The mother and any other kittens were long gone. The crew at the time would sit for hours each day with cans of tuna and soft cat food, to get the little fur ball to trust them.
When he finally came around to trusting them, Al, the railroad’s Master Mechanic, took him to the vet for a checkup, shots, and eventually he was neutered. It was live and let live. The shop guys did their thing, and the little kitten did his thing. The warmest place in the shop is in the cab of a coal-fired steam locomotive. There is coal dust everywhere.
Over time, our little ball of fur started picking up some of the black coal dust, and he was named Dirtbag. As our visitors started discovering the shop’s cat, it was decided to shorten his name to Dirt.
DIRT’S
3
RULES OF TRAIN SAFETY
-
Obey Warning Signals and Signs
Always follow warning signals and crossing gates at railroad crossings and in railyards. Wait for them to deactivate before proceeding. -
Stay Off Railroad Tracks and Property
Never trespass on tracks or railroad property. Keep a safe distance from tracks to avoid accidents. -
Keep a Safe Distance
Maintain a safe distance from trains and equipment, whether you're a pedestrian, driver, or railyard worker. Trains have blind spots, so be cautious.
20%
Trespassing on Tracks Danger
Trespassing on railroad tracks is a significant danger. Around 20% of all train-related fatalities are attributed to trespassing incidents, where individuals unlawfully enter railway property.
Dirt & His Friends at the Shop
Dirt got very wise, very fast, quickly figuring out where not to be when locomotives and cars were moving, or work was being performed. The shop knew he was special, and did what they could to protect him.
Mike Calchera, our grizzled track guy, got to scratch Dirt’s ears and would make sure he had clean warm beds, it was Al who was his favorite. Al was our master mechanic at the time, had a soft spot for Dirt. Dirt could do no wrong and was given the run of the shop and the engine house.
Dirt’s Gallery
Dirt will be Remembered
Re-living the precious memory of Dirt through the stories we had together
We all love Dirt!
Some of the messages we got for Dirt:
DJ Continues Dirt’s Mission
Don’t forget, Dirt was teaching his protégé DJ (Dirt Junior), the ins and outs of being the Boss Shop Cat. We knew this day was coming, and DJ now has big paws to fill.
