Yesterday was a banner day here in Montrose. The train arrived, as usual around 2:00 pm. and I had taken the day off to see it with my 5-year-old son, who had been asking me for weeks when we were going to see the train again . One of the crew stopped by and spoke with us for a few moments, then invited my son on board the engine! He helped the engineer move the train from the yard to a wood-ship-car turn-out about 1/4 mile away. Got some great pics of it...but I will never forget the size of his eyes, and the smile on his face!! That crew changed my son's life yesterday. If any of you are members or visitors here, thanks guys. John
John, he will remember every detail of this day even when he is 70 years old! It is those memories that will keep him going back to the good old days! He will love you for it. I know! [ 28 April 2002, 18:01: Message edited by: watash ]
Wayne, You know it! I must admit that I was a little jealous !! but there is nothing like the feeling of watching your son be excited, and when he got down from the engine he said "I am really lucky!" so even at five he knows how special the occassion was. He still does not believe that he helped drive the train, he just keeps saying that he pulled a lever that changed some numbers!! A once in a lifetime experience. John
They are never too young to start learning. Here is my grandson at age 2 with his grandpa. I wanted to introduce him to the best in railroading, so we took him to Riverside? where the 3751 was steamed up for the orange blossom festival. He's about to turn 10 and has been away from my influence (1000 miles) for quite a while. I hope he will keep his interest.
THAT is a great photo! My boy asked when we can go ride a steam train right after he rode the GP30. Hopefully this summer I can get some time, maybe take the George Town Loop route as that is the only steam excursion I have not yet been on in Colorado! John
You guys are sure ratteling my memory banks! My Dad took me on just about every narrow gauge railroad there was in Colorado back in the 1930's! I was always fascenated by the three rails and seeing a narrow gauge engine pull a standard gauge car! The biggest thrill was the 2-8-8-2's, 2-8-8-4's, 4-6-6-4's, 4-8-8-4's and the 4-12-2's. We got to ride in the cabs of each of them, feeling the power when they would lunge into a loaded train! I still remember the Doodlebug rides when I was three and later, and mom told me I started riding at 2yrs. on the Street cars in Wichita. That was 70 yrs, ago! Time does fly too fast to enjoy it all!
J Carter-Those times are precious. My uncle took me on a short 15 mile ride on a commuter train in Chicago...it wasn't a steam train...but It changed my life....15 years later I am still into railroads and I am not getting out of it any time soon...but those rides and all the railfanning trips with him I will remember always.... Fitz~ I have the feeling that you might have had an effect on him. Do you keep in touch? Sending him articles and books railroad stuff via the computer..say if he has a Computer...maybe his mom or dad can sign him up on here? And you two could talk trains all the time? Just a thought.
