To the best of my memory we were able to get the loco. on site everywhere except out onto Navy Pier in Chicago. I was with the 2101 when we arrived in Chicago and when we looked at some of the very sharp(I'd guess some of them were 30 degrees or more) curves we told the Chicago City Committee that it was physically impossible to get around those curves. The true story is that Mayor Daly was so determined to get the 2101 out on the Pier with the train that he came down to where we were parked under a newly built condo and he rode with me to the first extreme curve and got on the ground as we backed into the curve at 1/4 walking speed and he saw the#3&#4 drivers lift off the rail about to pop off. At that point he hollered up to me" I see what you mean"-and with that walked away. We then took her to Proviso Yard and gave the crew a well deserved few days off!

> To the best of my memory we were able to get the loco.
> on site everywhere except out onto Navy Pier in Chicago.

2100 didn't accompany the train to New York City, but the issue there was clearance in the tunnels and on the third rails, not curvature. While the train was on display in New York 2100 was being inspected and getting minor running repairs in Morristown.

By the way, anyone know the smallest town the AFT visited?

Archbold, Ohio comes to mind.

Bill is correct. Archbold,Ohio pop. 3160(1975) was our smallest display stop. We were there 2.5 days and put approx. 40,000 paid visitors thru the train. One local came up to me and said kiddingly,"you guys better leave soon as everyone in the County is here and ain't no other business happening!" We displayed in an open field next to a giant grain elevator complex. The locals gave our crew members special "passes" that entitled the holder to anything in the towns establishments for "free" with no limits. There was one small diner and a very small tavern-I'll let you guess where most of the crew gravitated to when they got off duty! Sure hope the other merchants split the tab with the tavern owner?? It was one of many,many great stops along the 25,000 mile journey!
Ross Rowland

Ross,

Thank you for sharing so many interesting stories about your involvement with steam railroading in the post steam era. I (and many others) enjoy the heck out of each one.

Tom Gears