Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (11)
lilbiscuit
Wonderful capture.
cameraobscura2
Greetings Sigfried, I marvel at all the places you have visit. Thank you for sharing. egmont
artaddict2
This is great Sig, this Engine gives me memories of an old American TV programme I used to watch as a child, "Casey Jones". Takes me back. Its great how you have captured the fascination of the Amish families, but Steam Engines do capture an audience wherever they are, don't you think?
Valerie-Ducom
Excellent ! Good day :)
Ionel
Wonderful image and a very good capture! I like old engines too!!!
Valentin
It looks like a shot from an old and very interesting film.
Mousson
Wawwwww! Incredible shot! This train works normally?!!!!!!!!!!!! It´s so perfect with the people loooks like a movie scene ! :-)) Great!
billcody
A wonderful snapshot! The Amish look at the "modern times"....LOL.. I thought that is a sin for them? Sig, you have an eye for this sort of situation! Great!
tennesseecowgirl
great shot..
Kelena
great shot
junge2
Interesting Picture. Being from Lancaster, PA I know the Amish do not like their picture taken. I like this picture.