The Red Sombrero Award

At the inaugural regular CR&E session on 4/17/10, crew member Todd Arnett just couldn't resist the large red sombrero that was stored in the layout room.  I got this sombrero during a 1989 high school graduation trip to Mexico, and it has been used a handful of times for comic relief at social gatherings over the years.

When I moved into the new house in the fall of 2008, several miscellaneous items were piled up in the then unused portion of the basement that is now part of the layout room.  This sombrero remained in the room even after cleaning and organizing for the NC Rail Run.  Todd saw it then, but somehow let it go.

Todd has suggested that we start a new tradition on the CR&E by introducing the "Red Sombrero Award" to the person who makes the most boneheaded move or decision during an operating session.  I suppose a local crew could clog up the railroad by making bad switching decisions, a dispatcher could set up a head-on collision, a yardmaster could send a whole train to the wrong location, or the superintendent could forget to provide snacks.  The possibilities are endless.

Although a number of, let's just say, not-so-smart moves took place during our first session, I think Todd's bone-headed idea of introducing this big red hat into our operating sessions probably outdoes them all.  Therefore, Todd Arnett is presented with the very first "CR&E Red Sombrero Award!"   May there be many more to come, just hopefully not for him....