Story #127 On time delivery?
During the last photographers excursion the schedule called for an afternoon freight to TOM and return. The Spring Work Weekend started the following day so the train crew decided to set a flatcar out at AC to have gravel loaded that would be used on the north yard. Earlier, there were scenes at AC with #9 bringing the train through while Randy Beach's 1920 Dodge Brothers touring car and the railroad's 1930 Model AA truck were parked near the depot or driving on the Averill Road. Museum members were in period dress so the scenes were authentic. That afternoon the northbound train set the flatcar out for loading and then ran to TOM for a photo shoot.
The AC crew started loading the flatcar as soon as the train pulled out. No sooner had the train cleared the north yard limit when headlights were seen coming down the Averill Road. I was on the tractor and Randy was standing next to his Dodge when we noticed the vehicle, a FedEx box truck driving slowly down the road. The driver came down and stopped just short of the crossing. He sat there for a moment with his flashers on, looking around at the narrow gauge track, Randy's automobile, the wooden flatcar, Model A truck and our period clothing. Randy walked over and the driver asked "what is this place?" with obvious confusion. Randy told him about the WW&F and invited him back for a train ride sometime. He said thanks and drove back towards 218 and the 21st century ...
