Here is a shameless plug:

I've been working on a book that chronicles Wilmington and Western's former Mississippi Central 4-4-0 No. 98. I hope to have it published later this year. Until that happens, everyone is invited to a free lecture on February 7th to get a sneak peek of my work. I have poured over more than a thousand primary source documents and interviewed many people to write this story. The lecture will be illustrated with dozens of photos, many unpublished, and some recently discovered after decades of being forgotten.

The story is much bigger than one of a single locomotive. Learn about her time in Mississippi, special trains, incidents and accidents. Find out the true story of why she had two bell for a period of time. Understand who Paulsen Spence was and how No. 98 escaped his doomed collection of steam locomotives at the Louisiana Eastern RR. Learn about how No. 98 fit into the early days of historic railroading and of her surprising connections to a number of other railroads, museums, and historic locomotives.

The lecture is free however you must reserve a spot. Information can be found here:

http://www.wwrr.com/events/98lecture.aspx

Tom -

Wish I was close enough for the lecture. Guess I'll just have to wait for the movie...er, book.


Les

I'll be sure to shamelessly plug the book here once it is published for everyone who can't come out to my talk. I am going to try to present it again in her original home of Mississippi.

Any chance you could (or would want to) video it and upload it somewhere as a Webinar or straight youtube video?

Greg

I will look into filming/streaming options.

Take it from one who dreams only of seeing an NdeM Niagara running one more time before the reaper gets around to me --- Not only is the 98 just about the most adorable little sweetie pie in steam in the good old USA, but her story is just about as interesting as she is cute. While I'm sworn to secrecy as to any of the particulars, my infinitly wise, unsolicited advice to all RyPNers is to attend this lecture in person if you possibly can, and buy Tommy's book. And if you can't make the lecture, then just buy Tommy's book...

Thanks for your vote of confidence Sammy. I'm making new discoveries all the time. It is a most amazing story.

I attended Tom's lecture on Saturday. It was an impressive turn out. It filled much of the firehall. Perhaps Tom knows the attendance. Tom has certainly done some incredible research into the history of 98. There are so many neat little side twist and turns....it's appropriate for the Wilmington and Western.

I was much impressed by the story of the transfer of 98 from Paulsen Spence to Tom Marshal via the Strasburg. I was unaware that the the engine was brought up to ICC conditions by Spence's crew but failed at Strasburg. Also found fascinating that they had to retire 98 before it could run on W&W. It kept derailing.

Congratulations Tom on a job well done. You have set a very high standard in preservation research.

Thanks for your kind words of support. Her history is amazing and it has been a wondrous time learning her history. I hate to sound like I am plugging my book over and over, but I left so much out during the talk because it just would not fit.