On her last revenue trip, 6218 steamed majestically around a curve in the farm country north of Belleville, Ont. It was Sunday morning, July 4, 1971. It is difficult to belive how neglected 6218 now is; it is likely she would have fared better at Delson or another museum.

I was amazed then, as I am now, at the condition of the track on this "branchline". At the time, most lines in the Northeast US were sinking into the mud and weeds, even "mainlines".

Some of the coaches trailing her now operate in Connecticut.

Howard P.

Again, I am reminded of how beautiful this machine was, and even remains now, in spite of its current state of neglect.

People wonder why we have this fascination with these outmoded iron horses. A fellow in California I've been in contact with (the subject, high speed rail), said he thought the machines at the California State Railroad Museum at Sacramento were "clunky mechanical monsters" until he saw some footage I sent from YouTube, featuring high-speed pacing on the B&O, NYC Hudsons, and footage of California trains, including cab-forwards and Daylights. The footage was an eye-opener for him, "amazing" to seeing how "fast and graceful" steam was in motion.

Was David P. Morgan, or was it William Claytor, who said a steam locomotive was a great teacher?

Anyone know what happened to CNR Baggage Car 9166, it is probably the one seen in this photo, and was used on most of 6167's and 6218's excursions.