My Profile
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Name: João Carlos Gonçalves ('Anglicized' to John Goncalves)
Born: São Paulo, Brazil Date of Birth: June 29th, 1962 (Age: 44) My nick in the Net: Joao_CG Main occupation: Bankteller/Attendant at a Fed. Govt. Bank Other Hobbies: Mountain biking My favourite music styles: Pop, Rock, Classic, New Age, Ambient Music My site is on-line since: December, 2001 to release my first experimental and fictional route, Jacareí to Taubaté. My train experiences: In 1968, during my childhood, I used to spend my free time watching for trains that passed not very far from my house in São Paulo, but my first train ride only happened in 1969, in a EMU class 400 series from São Paulo to Mogi das Cruzes (currently CPTM Company, Line E). From 1970 to 1975, my mother and I used to pay a visit to my grandma by train during my school vacation, using the regular train service that was kept by Paulista Trains Company from São Paulo until Campinas, so getting off there to get the Mogiana's regular service from Campinas to Casa Branca, then the branch until São José do Rio Pardo. This branch service was cut down in the early 80's, due to a huge flood that damaged several bridges in 1977. Together with the lack of interest by the local authorities, they decided to demise this branch, therefore all the rails had been removed, been replaced by tarmac roads (Argh!). Fortunately, some buildings were preserved, while others were severely damaged by vandals for more than 20 years of abandon and forsaking. During my boyhood, I used to ride the São Paulo Metro everyday, which is an underground system mixed with some elevated sections, as well as some rides in the EMU's widely used in the several São Paulo suburban areas. Some years later, my family decided to move from São Paulo, looking for another calm, peaceful and tranquil small town in the interior of the State. So, I'm currently living in an medium town located at the eastern region of the State of São Paulo, where I can fortunately see some freight cargo trains passing through, mainly long car sets loaded with iron ore, steel bundles, steel coils, containers, pigback systems, being hauled by GM SD-38's and GE U23-C's locos. I am also fan and member of several preservation railway organizations that promote the preservation of our railway heritage. My BVE first time: I knew BVE in July 2001, while visiting the Japanese Railway Society Page. The article about BVE and another train sims can still be seen there, on the NEWS section of July 2001, under the title 'Cab ride at home'. My first route was Tanigumi, by Mr. Gaku. So came the great Crotrainz site, I got several routes there for a long time until its closure last year. So came the german BVE-Train.de News, being kept by a short period of time. |