El Dorado Narrow Gauge by Marrory Hope Ferrell

I didn't see any copies of Mallory Hope Ferrell's El Dorado Narrow Gauge: The Diamond and Caldor Railway (Pacific Fast Mail, 1990) on eBay.com for most of the summer. I thought that maybe the market for these rare books had dried up.

Now two copies have appeared in the past month. About two weeks ago, a copy of El Dorado Narrow Gauge sold on an eBay auction for about $110.

This copy appeared yesterday. It has an opening bid price of $9.99 The auction closes Monday, November 26, 2007 at 5 p.m.

It's difficult to predict how high the book will go. It wouldn't surprise me if it goes for $90 or higher.

The Extra Board

The Extra Board is a regular feature in The Dispatcher. We featured retiree and volunteer Bill Rodgers in the summer 2007 issue ...

Bill Rodgers stands ready to hit the kill switch in case the cutting toll hangs up on the valve surface. His arm rests on the mag drill that powers the shaper.

Retirement is supposed to be a time of relaxation. After all, you deserve some "down time" after 45 years of labor.

We know one guy who’s just as busy as the day in 2003 when he quit repairing optical cable for AT&T. Bill Rodgers certainly believes giving back to the community is one key to a fulfilling retired life. Whether it’s giving new life to tired appliances at Snowline Hospice Thrift Store in Camino or replacing the sub-roof on the WS&CV combine car, he's ready to contribute.

Today Bill's labor brings a smile to Hospice volunteers. This "swamp cooler maintenance technician" stands ready bring a little comfort in the heat of summer.