Riding In The Engine Cab At Age Five

September 8, 2009

Larry remembers the day he rode in the engine cab and writes:

Once my Dad let me ride in the engine cab with him while the coal tender was re coaled. He held me in his lap while he maneuvered the engine under the coal tipple. I was about 5 yrs old. This was one of the times I remember along with other times of going to the watering place to refill the reservoir where chemical balls were put in. I assume these were to treat the boiler water.

We traveled by train of course as Dad got passes at no cost. Our trips to town, vacations etc.,were on passenger trains and of course this was after WWII and during the Korean War so many soldiers traveled by rail also and they would give my brother and I “V” nickels and dimes along with “peegees” (wood marbles). I have some of these coins tucked away.