It was 4:30. My reporting time would be 6:00. I woke up and had a quick breakfast and coffee. Then I drove to the railroad and met up with Dakota, Will, and Hans.
Rain. It was bad, pouring worse than cats & dogs. I was assigned as fireman, while Datoka (same age as me) was assigned as Engineer Instructor. The others opened the doors and oiled while I stuck my head in the firebox to pick the grates. Hans fired up #1 (the diesel) and we had to wait. Impatience grew, So I decided to shine the brass (the rain would take care of the boiler jacket!). Finally, after what seemed like forever, the diesel was ready to couple on. #7 was pulled into the "shop" area, while #4 was pulled over to "the boxcar". Ahhhhh, the boxcar. We have more boxcars than anything else, but this one is special! It sits on the ground without any trucks and serves as our wood shed. Wood, wood, and plenty of wood was quickly loaded into #4's doorway, which would eventually end up in the firebox. Will had the honors of lighting the fire. Will is a long time volunteer who never joined the steam crew, so Hans taught him how to fire up.
Once the gauge reach 25 psi, Hans handed the fire over to me while he pushed #4 over to the coal pile with the diesel. While I brought the pessure up, the others carefully dumped a small bucket-full with the loader one last time. After we loaded up, we were pretty much ready to go chugga chugga.
The caboose was then tacked on for the families of the guest engineers, before heading over the the platform.
Our first Guest Engineer was a young CSX conductor! He knew his stuff and did a great job as engineer.
The second engineer was an older man who brought his whole family! He didn't seem like a railfan, but he was interested in steam boats. He claimed that his father invented the stoker system!
For the third trip, Wes and Jay kicked the "kids" out while we ate pizza! The Guest Engineer was a young guy, who seemed very enthusiastic about trains! Me and Dakota got bored, so we decided to oil up #8 and then helped Hans carry #7's headlight and bell into the shops. Unfortunately, Dakota had to leave at 2:30 for work.
The last trip was special though. A true father and son moment! Hans's 22 yr. old son hopped into the window of #4, while Hans taught him how to run the engine. Hans did a great job as a teacher, as his son provided a smooth ride for us. Hans's son had only been to the railroad once prior, and never turned out to be a crazy railfan like the rest of us!
After his trip, the water hoses while piled onto the pilot and the rest of us got OUR turn at the throttle! We all got to blow the whistle, driving our neighbors crazy! Then #4 coupled onto #7 and #1 and pulled the consist into the yard. *insert wheelslip noises*. Once #4 got into the yard, the fire was dumped for the last time, and then was winterized. *blowdown noises* WAT!? I CAN'T HEAR YOU! :-)
After #4 was winterized, Wes grabbed #1 and pushed #4 and #7 into their nice warm shed. Then me, Wes, Jay, and Jon cleaned the steam chests and got the engine ready for the cold months ahead.
I'd like to thank Wes, Jay, Bill, Dakota, Hans and the rest of the steam crew who helped out this season. You're all awesome.