Steam & Excursion > Steam Locomotives Had A Natural Way Of Giving Fans Photo Stops!

Back in the early days of steam excursions, most all fans rode the trains rather than motorcade it as we see today.  The availability of cars, gas and the crude roads of the day all attributed to most fans deciding to ride the trains in these early days.

Fortunately, for these fans, there was one trait peculiar to steam motive power that gave them the chance to stop for photos several times during any such excursion.  That was the locomotive's constant need to stop for water to replenish it's tender before proceeding on.  While only a few minutes long, the adventurous fan could quickly jump off the train he was riding with his folding camera and snap a photo or two of the train before the engineer would blow his whistle indicating all should be back aboard as they were departing.

We see just such a water stop on the NWP in the late 1930's with 4-4-0 #23 doing the honors on this fine day.  One fan and his girlfriend have used this time to quickly explore the cab of #23 while our photo is taken by another passenger who has jumped off to grab this fine photo.  All too soon, the tank will be full, the rods greased and the crew of #23 will signal they are ready to depart. 

Thus will end this impromptu photo stop.  That is, until they need to do it all again just a few more miles down the track.

Martin



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 11/26/19 03:27 by LoggerHogger.

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Fascinating photo!!

Nice !   I've got lots of "ten wheelers" of this vintage but no " Americans."   

C Hanson
Vay,ID

Maybe the Pacific Coast Chapter R&LHS trip from Sausalito to Ft. Bragg on April 10, 1938?  Ticket and handout cover page from the Western Railway Museum Archives.

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It is great to see these flyers.  This was for the famous excursion from the Bay Area to Willits and then over to Ft. Bragg and from there down to Caspar.  Nice to see the flyers from the trip.

Martin

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