Yes, 1970 was definitely different than today! That was before Human Resource departments and railroad department heads could do their own hiring. After I sent the letter, I waited a week or so and then gave him a call. He said, "Yes, we'll hire you. Head over to Plymouth to fill out some paperwork!" There was a 30-day break-in period back then to qualify as an operator. I was first sent to Kearsley Tower for a couple weeks, then to Gera and Vassar to learn agency work, and then to P.Huron to learn teletype. Once qualified, I would then train at other places long enough to be able to work the job -- like Carleton, Wayne, Wixom, Mershon, Wash Ave, etc. As far as riding in the GTW locomotive back in the 60's -- if you wrote to the main office in Detroit, they sent a release form. My parents had to sign because I was a minor. Once they got that back, they sent you a letter to give to the conductor who then took you up to the engine. Sometimes you had to stand up the whole trip, but I didn't mind!! Made a couple trips Pontiac to Detroit and back and a couple Pontiac to Durand and return. Always visited the dispatchers in Durand while there as well. Everyone was cordial! Definitely a different era! Imagine anything like that today!