a mile below the Falls on the niagara river are two steel arch bridges. The first is the rail-only Michigan Central Trestle, slightly downstream is the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, double decked, (rail over roadway). From 1966-72 i worked as for the commission that ran the WRB. from '67 -'72 New Years Day always seemed to find me onduty in the hole...

may 22, 2003 -- "i remembered, that in
railroad jargon "to take the hole" means to take the siding.

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Overhead the big diesels throb --
the transfer run stops at customs
with the screech of brake shoe
on steel wheel. Then, manifests
dropped off, with a deep roar
and clouds of oily smoke they
drag the train inbound, black
oily smoke mixing with the
wet snow of New Year’s Day.

Up on the trestle an out bound
awaits clearance. I don’t look up
when it starts off. More black
smoke. More grime in the hole
My heart beats to the rhythm
of the diesels' throb. I long to
release my brakes and throttle up:
To follow my throbbing heart,
but, I’m stuck, stuck in the hole.

All shift long the trains roll by
going god knows where. Black
oily smoke. Grimy New Year’s
snow. Aching heart, regrets in
the hole. everyone is going, going
somewhere – going away, going
away, she’s gone away, and I
I am stuck in the hole. Child-man
with a restless, diesel heart . . .