Pennsy 4-4-4-4 Steam Engines

August 29, 2009

Roger has sent in this “Class Trip ’54” story of a train journey with school friends:

We had graduated from Johnson-St. Paris High School and were on our way to Washington and New York. Our power was two Pennsy 4-4-4-4 steam engines. My fellow students immediately turned the seats facing each other so they could chatter. This act infuriated our conductor and the battle was on.

I then struck up a conversation with said conductor and asked him when we would hit Horseshoe Curve. He then wanted how I knew about the curve so I shared some railroad stories my father had shared with me.

Having reached a common ground I then suggested that this is our last outing together and if it did not break any big train rules, it would be a fond memory for us if he would suspend the seating rules just for this trip. He agreed to do so and made the announcement to a cheering group – and behaved very well the rest of the trip.

The conductor wakened me at about 0230hrs to let me know we were approaching the legendary horseshoe curve. We watched it excitedly as we could see both ends of the 25+ car train especially the two engines, the 2 4-4-4-4 Pennsylvania streamlined steam engines passing through the curve at night – a sight I will remember forever