Steam Engine

Arrived Portola at 10:00 AM
#165 was just getting set up for the day.
Bought our tickets for riding the caboose and found out we could ride in the cab of #165.
YES!
Since I first heard about the rebuilding of #165, it has been on my bucket list to see #165 in action running under power.
Today was that day!
Realizing that my father once rode on this engine 100 years ago, I wasn’t prepared for the emotions I felt as I first saw #165 running.
Shaking, throbbing, sweating, dripping fluids, actually breathing like it was alive!
Then the first long pull on the steam whistle,
Loud!
What a job to keep #165 operating.
The 2 engineers were constantly in motion, moving levers, opening and closing valves, watching gauges, all to keep the beast operating.
Several times the engineers stopped the train to exit the cab, work his way between the huge drive wheels, and opened a valve to blow down the boiler and remove debris.
I also noticed the 2 engineers had tucked asbestos shielding around the area where their legs were close to the boiler to avoid getting burned in the cab.
The noise, grime, smell were all off the charts.
Sitting in the cab, one soon realized just how much work it was to run a steam locomotive.
I have a much greater appreciation for my fathers life working on the railroad.
No lightweights, this was a job for strong men.
Oh, and the BEST part of the whole day, I got to experience it with my son.
A full circle moment for me, as I never got to spend a day with my father like this.

[@PowerTrain611]

Awesome video! Glad to see she's finally running again. What a treat for you to be able to ride the same engine as your father a century later. I doubt many people get to say they've done that!

[@Scrat-hp2wl]

3:39 RIP headphone users