Any book that merely mentions Willie Lump-Lump and the Mole is a must-have! :-)

I have far too many railroad books, but would buy that one in a heartbeat!

I hope Ross will include "Superheater" of DC area fame as well.

Oh yes, Superheater ( the original one) aka Davey Levine is prominently covered both with several pics and a type written letter he sent me constructed somehow in a circle!!!

On our 759 powered excursion from Grand Central Terminal in NYCity to Niagara Falls via the NYC mainline we had the honor of having both Mr. Robert Claytor and Mr. W. Graham Claytor, their wives and families come along using Bob's PV the Claytor Lake which we put on the rear of course. The Claytors were very hospitable and allowed folks from the train to visit their car and even handed out complimentary sodas etc.

Both Graham and Bob were serious steam lovers and I made sure they got their fill of cab time and both got to run some.

At a photo run-by somewhere west of Albany NY I was able to arrange for a picture to be taken of the Claytor brothers standing next to Willie Lump-Lump, the Mole and Davey Levine. WHAT A PICTURE!!

Graham and I often had good laughs over that picture and whenever we'd have a disagreement while I was serving under him on the Amtrak BOD I would jokingly threaten to have it published!!

I will be needing some public domain pictures of the current toid crop and anyone who may have same I'd appreciate hearing from via PM.
Great memories.

Ross Rowland

Count me in for a copy......a lot of this took place where I wasn't back during my schooling and first career, but I'd be very pleased to know more about the history of preservation and operating in the early days. The more colorful the characters and anecdotes the better!

dave

I don't know about the rest of you, but I sure do appreciate Howard, Ross, and many others for their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences with those like me who make up the younger generation of railway preservation. Unfortunately, I was born too late to share those experiences first hand. Thanks.

Hello,

Its good to see that Ross had compliments for SRR #90 on her mainline outing. Its good to see our local girl getting the praise.

Also note on the close-up photos of #90's smoke box you can see the extension ring riveted joint. I assume when the SRR recently shortened the smokebox they simply took that ring off? Cutting the rivets would simpler than cutting the barrel.

Great old photos!

Regards,

Randy

I was wondering if someone could explain the herald on the tender of the 127? I can't quite make it out in the pictures posted.

It was a huge white shield, with icons of Vermont on it. Why? I don't know. I was glad to see it eventually removed.

IIRC that shield was an early attempt by Steamtown to establish a logo?? I think it only lasted less than a year and they reverted to just spelling out the word Steamtown USA on their equipment.

This one was hard to figure out and useless at speed.

Ross Rowland

The herald was "Monadnock, Steamtown and Northern". Kind of went with the yellow cars and festival atmosphere so common back in those days.

Howard P.

"Whippany Toonerville" still makes me want to be sick- I'm thankful to SKF for not allowing that to be lettered on his engine.

I wanted to thank Howard P., Richard Glueck and others for their offers to share photos from the 60's through the 90's with me for the upcoming book. Its very much appreciated and if anyone has additional pics of the GSCL and the Pt. Jervis program ( 1996-'98) I'd appreciate hearing from them via PM, as I'm a big believer in the old adage that a picture is worth a million words.

Some of the pics I've received of Willie Lum-lump, Superheater ( the original) and others are priceless. The one with the Claytor Bros. and Willie is beyond hilarious!!

Thanks much.

Ross Rowland

Ross, you are amongst the few who had the vision, knowledge, and organization, to return big steam to the east, on those rails where it proved itself repeatedly. It is a pleasure to both know you and help you keep the fires hot. I know I speak for many in wishing you the best in bringing C&O 614 back online, doing what she was created to do.
There are few of us who will be able to fill your shoes in future generations.


Dick

Thanks Richard for the kind words and pictures. We too hope that one day the right opportunity will present itself so as to allow 614 to return to service.

There is a real chance that can happen, just look at the transformation of NS's attitude when the guard changed from Goode to Moorman!!

Patience is a virtue....and hope springs eternal!!

Ross Rowland