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| www.christophersmuller.com |
| About me... |
| I do like trains... but this is not me... |
Thanks for stopping by! I apologize in advance as I am horrible when it comes to writing about myself. I appreciate your interest in
my website and hope you enjoy what you have found. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Christopher Muller and have been
interested in trains my entire life. I'm told my interest in trains developed before I was even out of diapers (and yes that was more
than a few years ago). My interest in trains has developed into an obsession, and I'd dare to say a compulsion! I have been an
active model railroader since about five years old, with my first train set being a Tyco (quality product, I know) Train Set. I have been
an active member of the Northern Iron Horse Model Railroad Society for several years, and enjoy the company the Society has. I
have an extensive collection of HO Scale models, mainly BNSF and DMIR rolling stock. I also have some Canadian stuff as well.
my website and hope you enjoy what you have found. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Christopher Muller and have been
interested in trains my entire life. I'm told my interest in trains developed before I was even out of diapers (and yes that was more
than a few years ago). My interest in trains has developed into an obsession, and I'd dare to say a compulsion! I have been an
active model railroader since about five years old, with my first train set being a Tyco (quality product, I know) Train Set. I have been
an active member of the Northern Iron Horse Model Railroad Society for several years, and enjoy the company the Society has. I
have an extensive collection of HO Scale models, mainly BNSF and DMIR rolling stock. I also have some Canadian stuff as well.
I've been photographing trains since I was about seven or eight
years old. Of course, most of the stuff I shot I wouldn't dare
share today, but the memories are worth it. I started getting
more serious in railroad photography in about 2003. I'm often
asked if I submit my stuff to magazines or enter contests, and
the short answer is no. I haven't submitted anything to
magazines, and the few publications I have been published in
have all requested use of my photographs. The main reason I
take photographs is for my own personal enjoyment, and the
few people that stumble on my little corner of real estate on the
internet.
years old. Of course, most of the stuff I shot I wouldn't dare
share today, but the memories are worth it. I started getting
more serious in railroad photography in about 2003. I'm often
asked if I submit my stuff to magazines or enter contests, and
the short answer is no. I haven't submitted anything to
magazines, and the few publications I have been published in
have all requested use of my photographs. The main reason I
take photographs is for my own personal enjoyment, and the
few people that stumble on my little corner of real estate on the
internet.
I have lived in Cass Lake my entire life, with the brief exception
of when I was attending classes at the Fond du Lac Tribal and
Community College. In addition to studying Law Enforcement
and Communications, I also studied the vast railroad network
leading to and from the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior. I
enjoyed observing the final days of operation of the Duluth
Missabe and Iron Range, "my railroad" as I used to refer to it
as. Just like I watched the Soo Line turn into the Canadian
Pacific, and the Burlington Northern into the BNSF, I watched
the DMIR turn into the Canadian National. Damn Canadians.
Blame Canada.
of when I was attending classes at the Fond du Lac Tribal and
Community College. In addition to studying Law Enforcement
and Communications, I also studied the vast railroad network
leading to and from the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior. I
enjoyed observing the final days of operation of the Duluth
Missabe and Iron Range, "my railroad" as I used to refer to it
as. Just like I watched the Soo Line turn into the Canadian
Pacific, and the Burlington Northern into the BNSF, I watched
the DMIR turn into the Canadian National. Damn Canadians.
Blame Canada.
In 2005 I started my career in Law Enforcement with the Leech
Lake Tribal Police Department, based in Cass Lake. After my
tour there, I was hired as a Communications Officer with the
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. In February 2008 I accepted a
promotion as the Emergency Communications Team Leader
and the Assistant Emergency Management Director. I work
closely with the current 911 Director and Emergency Manager,
who brings several decades of service to the citizens of
Beltrami County. My career goals have changed over the
years, first from meteorology to being a police officer, and
eventually starting a career in Emergency Management. I feel I
am fortunate at a young age to have found a career I enjoy. I
consider it my niche. In addition to Emergency Management, I
do 911 dispatch. People often talk down to dispatchers,
especially the public. It isn't uncommon to hear, "well, you are
just a dispatcher." I tell my partners not to get offended by that
statement. We are just dispatchers, but what exactly is a
dispatcher? If the public only knew everything we did, they'd
know we are more than just a dispatcher.
Lake Tribal Police Department, based in Cass Lake. After my
tour there, I was hired as a Communications Officer with the
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. In February 2008 I accepted a
promotion as the Emergency Communications Team Leader
and the Assistant Emergency Management Director. I work
closely with the current 911 Director and Emergency Manager,
who brings several decades of service to the citizens of
Beltrami County. My career goals have changed over the
years, first from meteorology to being a police officer, and
eventually starting a career in Emergency Management. I feel I
am fortunate at a young age to have found a career I enjoy. I
consider it my niche. In addition to Emergency Management, I
do 911 dispatch. People often talk down to dispatchers,
especially the public. It isn't uncommon to hear, "well, you are
just a dispatcher." I tell my partners not to get offended by that
statement. We are just dispatchers, but what exactly is a
dispatcher? If the public only knew everything we did, they'd
know we are more than just a dispatcher.
It seems all to often in our lives we concentrate on the negative. I am no different. I see and
experience a lot of emotionally taxing events and situations in my life. There are three things that
help me vent and relieve stress. First is railfanning. Second is model railroading. Third, and most
important is my nephew Darren. My family (especially me) was blessed with this bundle of joy in
2003. Over the years, he's developed quite a love for railroading and trains. I have no idea how
that happened, but some how his mother finds it fit to blame me. We enjoy spending hours playing
trains and watching the real thing. Darren isn't much of a traveler, but we do go places on
occasion. Some day we both plan on making a trip on Amtrak, Darren is just a tad too young yet to
travel overnight without his mom. He's so cute because he realizes it. On a trip to Duluth one day
with just me and him, he was missing his mom and said while sniffling, "Yup. I knew it." I asked what
he knew, and he replied, "I knew it. I should have stayed home." After a few miles, he was happy
again and we spent the entire afternoon chasing trains on the Iron Range. It is nice to have a kid to
play with and love, but yet be able to turn him back over to mom when the day gets too long (which
isn't very often). I've never seen a child play so delicately and careful with the fragile trains like he
has. He can put an entire train on the tracks with no wheels off faster than I can.
experience a lot of emotionally taxing events and situations in my life. There are three things that
help me vent and relieve stress. First is railfanning. Second is model railroading. Third, and most
important is my nephew Darren. My family (especially me) was blessed with this bundle of joy in
2003. Over the years, he's developed quite a love for railroading and trains. I have no idea how
that happened, but some how his mother finds it fit to blame me. We enjoy spending hours playing
trains and watching the real thing. Darren isn't much of a traveler, but we do go places on
occasion. Some day we both plan on making a trip on Amtrak, Darren is just a tad too young yet to
travel overnight without his mom. He's so cute because he realizes it. On a trip to Duluth one day
with just me and him, he was missing his mom and said while sniffling, "Yup. I knew it." I asked what
he knew, and he replied, "I knew it. I should have stayed home." After a few miles, he was happy
again and we spent the entire afternoon chasing trains on the Iron Range. It is nice to have a kid to
play with and love, but yet be able to turn him back over to mom when the day gets too long (which
isn't very often). I've never seen a child play so delicately and careful with the fragile trains like he
has. He can put an entire train on the tracks with no wheels off faster than I can.
| My nephew Darren... |
Its more than obvious trains are a huge part of my life. There are a few things that I enjoy that don't
involve trains... but not many. Being from northern Minnesota, it is only natural to love fishing. With
numerous great fishing lakes around the area, I enjoy spending hours in the evenings reeling in
fish and enjoying the sunsets and wildlife. I'm also fascinated with the weather. I've noticed there is
some weird association with trains and weather for lots of people in both hobbies. I don't consider
myself even remotely an amateur storm chaser, but I love watching furious storms develop. As
stressful as it is sometimes and how much time I spend there, I actually do enjoy my job. I try to
keep on top of things going on from home, whether that be listening to the scanner to make sure
my partners are okay and stopping in at the office from time to time. I'm not very political, and don't
associate myself with either of the big political parties. I'm very much down the middle, agreeing
with some on both sides... on a few issues a little heavier to the left. I think the government relies
too much on religion and too many decisions are based on personal beliefs. I'm pretty progressive
and think we, not only as Americans, but as the human race, have long strides to make civil rights a
reality for everyone. Without separating religion from the government, I doubt that'll ever happen.
involve trains... but not many. Being from northern Minnesota, it is only natural to love fishing. With
numerous great fishing lakes around the area, I enjoy spending hours in the evenings reeling in
fish and enjoying the sunsets and wildlife. I'm also fascinated with the weather. I've noticed there is
some weird association with trains and weather for lots of people in both hobbies. I don't consider
myself even remotely an amateur storm chaser, but I love watching furious storms develop. As
stressful as it is sometimes and how much time I spend there, I actually do enjoy my job. I try to
keep on top of things going on from home, whether that be listening to the scanner to make sure
my partners are okay and stopping in at the office from time to time. I'm not very political, and don't
associate myself with either of the big political parties. I'm very much down the middle, agreeing
with some on both sides... on a few issues a little heavier to the left. I think the government relies
too much on religion and too many decisions are based on personal beliefs. I'm pretty progressive
and think we, not only as Americans, but as the human race, have long strides to make civil rights a
reality for everyone. Without separating religion from the government, I doubt that'll ever happen.
| My other interests... |
1. Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show on CBS.
2. Golden Corral Buffet.
3. Jeans that actually fit comfy (on me).
4. When people pull over correctly.
5. Doing the Secretariat dance.
6. Ferguson's gay robot Geoff Peterson.
7. Shirts that breathe in the arm pits.
8. Air conditioning.
9. People that can get to the point on calls.
10. Incubus
11. SD70ACes, SD70M-2's, and SD40-2's.
12. Cage the Elephant's latest CD
13. Buying a random CD at Dollar Tree.
14. Actually liking that CD.
15. Culver's custard and butter burgers.
16. Driving across town for 3c cheaper gas.
17. www.Q101.com's radio stream
18. Riding Amtrak to... anywhere!
19. Ignoring friend requests on facebook.
20. Finding old friends on facebook.
2. Golden Corral Buffet.
3. Jeans that actually fit comfy (on me).
4. When people pull over correctly.
5. Doing the Secretariat dance.
6. Ferguson's gay robot Geoff Peterson.
7. Shirts that breathe in the arm pits.
8. Air conditioning.
9. People that can get to the point on calls.
10. Incubus
11. SD70ACes, SD70M-2's, and SD40-2's.
12. Cage the Elephant's latest CD
13. Buying a random CD at Dollar Tree.
14. Actually liking that CD.
15. Culver's custard and butter burgers.
16. Driving across town for 3c cheaper gas.
17. www.Q101.com's radio stream
18. Riding Amtrak to... anywhere!
19. Ignoring friend requests on facebook.
20. Finding old friends on facebook.
| A few random things I like... |
1. Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show from Paris.
2. Pretty much any movie with Jack Black.
3. Onions.
4. When people would rather eat at McDonalds than good food.
5. Mini Cooper cars.
6. People that use their religion to hate other people.
7. Standing in line at Wal*Mart.
8. Speeders that dismiss other's safety just for fun.
9. Paying a disproportionate amount of taxes.
10. High gas prices.
11. Country Music
12. Skinny people.
13. Train crews that can't just ignore photogs, and ruin their pics.
14. Friend requests from people I don't know on facebook.
15. How the BNSF runs trains at night through Cass Lake.
16. When people continue to drink and keep getting in trouble.
17. My lactose intolerance (because I love ice cream!).
18. When places don't have Diet Mountain Dew.
19. Photogs that feel its mandatory to upload to RP.net.
20. The Kardashians, Jersey Shore, and Sex and the City.
2. Pretty much any movie with Jack Black.
3. Onions.
4. When people would rather eat at McDonalds than good food.
5. Mini Cooper cars.
6. People that use their religion to hate other people.
7. Standing in line at Wal*Mart.
8. Speeders that dismiss other's safety just for fun.
9. Paying a disproportionate amount of taxes.
10. High gas prices.
11. Country Music
12. Skinny people.
13. Train crews that can't just ignore photogs, and ruin their pics.
14. Friend requests from people I don't know on facebook.
15. How the BNSF runs trains at night through Cass Lake.
16. When people continue to drink and keep getting in trouble.
17. My lactose intolerance (because I love ice cream!).
18. When places don't have Diet Mountain Dew.
19. Photogs that feel its mandatory to upload to RP.net.
20. The Kardashians, Jersey Shore, and Sex and the City.
| A few random things I dislike... |