With a tear in my eye, too...
I had the privilege of helping close out the convention week on train crew Friday-Sunday. What was unexpected on Sunday was not the number of visitors from the convention, but the number that had came back just to see and experience the railroad again. Of course, many were amazed by the progress on the turntable since their last visit, but most just wanted to have another look at/ride behind/picture of #9.
At the end of the day, I struck up a conversation with a visitor who had come from a long way. "I've waited my whole life to see this engine under steam" he said with a tear in his eye and a broad smile on his face. I replied that a lot of people, many who did not live to see this moment, made the restoration possible and that it was our honor to be the custodian of such a tangible piece of history.
As he departed, I walked back towards the station where #9 had dumped its fire after nine days of continuous service (something that she had not seen since the 1930s.) While I am keenly aware that #9 is an inanimate object, any railroader will tell you that every steam engine has a personality. It has also been said that the steam locomotive is the closest thing to a living creature that humans have ever created.
"Thanks #9", I said to myself as I walked by. "You made a lot of people very happy this week."
In my soul, I heard a distinct and very real reply:
"Thank you Alice, Harry, and so many others. You made a lot of people very happy this week."