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The big engine that couldn’t
This was a real awesome story…I can only imagine how exciting it was for a young paperboy to have heard, smelled and witnessed the event…it was worth getting the route done late and missing supper! I was only 1 year old at the time of this story and I only got to see one steamer in my young life as a kid, and that was in Hammond, Ind. I stood next to the tracks watching and feeling the ground shake as this big steamer chugged past and blew it’s deafening whistle which made me jump and grab my mom’s hand. We were there to see a Harlem Globe trotters event…it was the last and only steamer my young eyes and ears would ever experience of running a freight as the era was ending and diesels were taking it all over. I won’t forget that evening either!
The only “stall” I ever witnessed was the W. Md. Senic RR 's Baldwin consolidation # 43105 with a few too many coaches fail to reach the terminous at Frostberg. The conductor left two behind later to be brought in by a switcher from Cumberland. I can only surmise rules prevented them from running with those coaches ahead of the locomotive on the return?
A great and evocative article. Reminds me of my own boyhood days watching steam, running down to the cutting at bottom of street when the approaching steam locomotive could be heard. Different country, but same appeal!
A very entertainaing story that really put you in with the action, a video of the event would have been tremendous, what a memory to have.
Great article! Now I know what I missed growing up in the late 1950’s instead of when steam still ran on the railroads that ran through my neighborhood!!
What a great story,lucky paperboy.God bless the union for providing the opportunity to him.
I remember my Dad and I racing down to an overhead walking bridge in Akron Ohio one day and just arriving
before a old A, C & Y Steam Engine approached. I also remember it’s whistle! For a 5 year old boy, the most beautiful sound in the world!. I won’t forget that day. I have my Father to thank for my LOVE of trains.
Looking for some Pictures of some 2-6-2 Steam Engines