For those of you who had a container painted, the club is asking for donations to cover the costs of the paint.  For those that didn't have a container painted but would like to donate towards the cost of painting the club containers, that will be accepted gladly as well.

The positions of Stack Talk Editor and Webmaster have been filled.  Please thank Jim Ashcraft and Bob Waterworth for taking on these roles and helping the club to continue forward.  A really big Thank You to Charlie Downs who handled both of these jobs for almost four and a half years.

A little humor for today...  Jerry Smolyk got a new handcar to play with.  Jim Brown and Jim Manley got the crazy idea to paint the handcar like a Via Rail F40PH so Jerry could pull his passenger cars with some "realism" instead of his F-7 Zebra.  The only problem is Jerry didn't have a "baggage" car so they built him one.  Below are the pictures from the delivery day.

A new Stack Talk editor is needed.  Charlie Downs has resigned as editor but can help turn the reigns over to a willing volunteer.  Please let Jim Manley know if you would like to take on this very important job.

First I want to thank Jerry Moore for the good job he did on welcoming and registering our guests on Thursday. By the time I started on Friday he had already signed in 22 people.

We had 95 out of state visitors which is the most we have ever had. Our last three meets had 72, 75 and 72 out of state visitors. Our guests this year came from 14 states plus Birsay and Edmonton, Canada. What a great group.

The attendance break down was:
Birsay, Canada   4
Edmonton, Canada   3
California   31
Colorado   1
Illinois   2
Michigan   2
Minnesota   5
Nebraska   2
Nevada   19
New Mexico   6
Oklahoma   1
Oregon   1
Pennsylvania   2
Tennessee   2
Texas   12
Virginia   2

It was such a pleasure for us to have all these guests come and run on our railroad. We all hope that everyone had such a good time that they will return for future meets.

On behalf of Sahuaro Central I want to thank Maricopa Live Steamers for their support of the Swap Meet Train Rides on Saturday, March 15, 2008. Our passengers were treated to a ride from Adobe City to Pottsville with a 10 minute layover at Pottsville and then a return trip back to Adobe City. At Pottsville the passengers visited the Sahuaro Central Museum and the operating 'G' gauge train layout. The visit at Pottsville was nicely facilitated by Jerry Oyler and Mike Russell.

Based on the number of train trips we estimate that we gave rides to 475 people. This was quite an increase over the 140 passengers for the 2007 Spring Swap Meet and the 176 passengers for the 2007 Fall Swap Meet. For most of the time we were operating all three of the club locomotives. There were no derailments in the Pottsville Yard. Kudos to the track crew and the rolling stock maintenance crew.

I want to express particular thanks to Bud Waterworth. He served as Station Master for the whole time and did a great job in keeping everything moving smoothly. I also want to thank all the volunteers who kept the trains running and the passengers smiling. The rest of the volunteer crew consisted of: John Caldwell, John Draftz, Greg Gorman, Wade Gorman, Denise Kennedy, John Lovely, Bob Waterworth, Ed Willekens, Fred Wilson and Ken Bain. Denise Kennedy with her smile and conductors' uniform added a nice touch of class.

It was a pleasure to hear the comments from several of our passengers. Not only were they complementary about the ride but they were very impressed with the whole Adobe Western Railroad. Several mentioned how much they enjoyed seeing all the train action and a couple said that this was the first time they had seen live steam locomotives in action on our tracks. In the final analysis I am sure that everyone involved felt they had a satisfying experience.

Thanks Maricopa Live Steamers!

We have also sorted through the hundreds of photos Moe McKiernan took of the Fall Meet, and have posted his best here

And we have Perry McCully's Fall Meet Photos for your consideration. Take a look.

March 6 -- Orange County Model Engineers Inc., home of the Mackerel Flats & Goat Hill Junction Railroad, will celebrate its 2008 Spring Meet April 24th through the 27th. The club is located in a Costa Mesa city park in Orange County, Calif. A map depicting the location can be viewed at the club's web page, www.ocmetrains.org.

Space for RV's and tenters is available on-site for four nights (Thursday through Sunday). No hookups are provided. Water and bathroom facilities (no hot water or showers) are available. No open fires permitted. Early arrival date is the Thursday of the meet. The park is not open for camping before then. Departure required by noon Monday.

OCME is a 380-mile one-way trip from MLS (seven-hour driving-time trip for a vehicle towing a trailer and obeying the speed limits - no fueling or eating time included). Our usual fueling stop is Quartzite each way. For a trip starting in Arizona, we think that buying fuel in Arizona (at Quartzite) would be good (cheapest). It is 265 miles from Quartzite to Costa Mesa, so at least one California fuel stop seems mandatory.

Bill Laird has decided to sell his RMI 65-ton "A" and "B" diesels. Complete information is available on our Want Ads page.

The first Toy Drive Light Run meeting will be held Saturday, November 3rd at 12:30 in Ford Station.  If you would like to be involved with this please come to the meeting or contact Jim Manley or Bill Myers.  We need extension cords, generators and help putting up the lights and decorations.  The run nights will be Friday and Saturday, December 7th and 8th.

John Lovely has one archbar truck from Real Trains. He is looking to buy another or sell the one he has.  The price is negotiable.  Please contact John at 928-774-7589 or jmlprod@aol.com.

To Maricopa Live Steamers members:

Never in the history of the club has so much work been done by so few for the good of the many.

For the members that are using the rails of the club not knowing about the entire storm damage and what has happened to put it back into shape, every member of Maricopa Live Steamers needs to thank the few for the work that was done.  There were a number of bridges put in.  Landscaping has been done at each location to improve water flow.  It also looks great.  Track has been leveled and ballasted.  I for one thank the track and ballast crews.  We would not have track to run on, if it were not for them. To think that most of the work was done in 110 degree heat!!!!

From a very grateful member,
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

A group of school kids will be visiting us on Friday, October 26th.  Bud Waterworth has signed up to help but we need more people.  If you can help, please let Bud or Jim Manley know.

Insurance for your train equipment can now be obtained through Gulfway Insurance.  Bill Myers has details here.

The 2007-2008 Sunday Run Schedule has begun to be posted here.  More updates will be posted soon if you have already volunteered.  If you have not, please consider doing so.  If you want to see last year's schedule click here.

Six new construction photos of Taylor Bridge are at the bottom of this page.

Pictures of the West Transfer Table construction are here.

Thanks to John Draftz, two of MLS' founding members were caught together for a "photo op" at the Spring Meet. 
Pictured below are Roger Netz (L) and Don Bauer (R).

Below is Jerry Smolyk test riding a new engine.  I still think Ayden Burns (further down the page) is cuter on his Thomas Engine.  Nice try, Jerry.

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March 2 - Cory McCloskey of Fox 10 News paid MLS a visit earlier this week.  To see more pictures follow this link.  To see a short clip of Cory running Bill Pardee's Hudson on the Fox News website follow this link.

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February 28 - Wesley Crossing is being installed.  Below, Bob Douglas works to put it the new diamond crossings to allow the Far Flung branch to cross the Arntchoo branch.  Behind him, you can see that the track is almost to the crossing as well.

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February 26 - MLS' youngest engineer, Ayden Burns, was out shining the rails back on February 10th.  Here he is riding his Thomas engine coming back in on the Werner branch.   

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February 25 - The Track Inspection Crew was seen out on the Far Flung Flats branch today.  Be on the look out for the shady characters shown below.  The lead character in the photo is considered to be a "flight" risk since he used to fly rather large aircraft and should be apprehended at once.  Once apprehended he should be "tied down" or as a last resort wheel chocks can be used.

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February 20 - Photos from February's Friends Event can be seen here.

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February 18 - The all metal Hiawatha pictured below is one of the latest products from Retro 1-2-3.  This loco and tender are approximately 1:20 scale and are about 55" long.

Another new product is this 1:8 scale fire engine shown below.

Photos: Bill Unglaube

More Operations Meet photos have been posted here.

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February 8 - The new bridge on the Far Flung Branch is nearing completion.  More pictures can be seen here.

Moore photos (pun intended) of the operations meet are posted here.

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January 29 - Operations Meet photos are available for viewing. They are available in the Photo Gallery.

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January 16 - Master Switch Builder Bill Lowe has written a very informative article about how switches are put together at MLS.  The article can be found here.

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January 15 - A water leak near MLS caused our normally dry rivers to look like the real thing.  Pete Pennarts was there and captured it for us.

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January 14 - Oh, the weather outside is frightful... And we think we have it bad when the temperature dips down to 29 degrees like it should tonight.  Jerry Smolyk sent in some pictures from a place where "cold" doesn't begin to describe it.  Now imagine having to re-rail a locomotive.

Follow the link above for more photos.

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January 11 - From the "Remember When..." files. Al Ford graciously spent hours sifting through boxes of old photos to come up with the gems we have for you today.  More of these early days can be seen in the "Remember When..." Gallery.  If I have misspelled a name or you have additional information on a photo, please email the webmaster.

If you have photos of the early days at MLS, send them in or give them to Jim Manley and we'll get them posted as soon as possible.

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January 9 - Tom Harrington sent in the following picture of his recently converted (now electric-powered) F7 Diesel.  Vice President Bill Myers was overheard commenting about how nice it is to not have to shout at Tom (over the lawn mower engine noise) anymore about wearing his seatbelt.

If you have photos of members having fun at MLS, send them in and they'll be shown in the Members Gallery.

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January 7 - More pictures from Jerry Smolyk's Stack Talk article on the Baldwin 107 that was used in the making of the Brad Pitt movie, “The Assassination of Jesse James”, can be seen here.

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January 1 - Mama needed a new dress. Bill Lowe replaced some of the roof that the sun had decayed on the switch building barn.  It has a nice paint job to keep it protected now.  He also painted the switch building table.  Below is Bill with his handy work.  Thanks Bill.

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December 15 - The Toy Drive was a huge success.  Below is a picture of Santa with Betty Moore and Fire Fighter Paul Moore.  Over 350 toys were collected, 57 of which were bicycles!

Everyone had a great time at the Christmas party.  Pictures can be seen here.

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November 26 - A new embroidery company has been working with MLS member Jerry Smolyk.  Jerry reports that Creative Images Embroidery, located in Scottsdale, has done an excellent job for him on several designs including clothing with the MLS logo on them.  Creative Images has the MLS logo on file and has told Jerry that they are capable and willing to do jobs for single pieces on up to large quantity orders.  If you are looking for a place to have the MLS logo embroidered, this sounds like the place to go.

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November 18 - The Annual Toy Drive is approaching. The online flyer can be viewed here.   A printable version can be downloaded here.

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November 16 - The club received another donation of lumber from MLS friends, Phoenix Modular.  Pete Pennarts was present and caught the action with his camera.

Thank you to Phoenix Modular.  We'll put the lumber to good use.

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November 14 - Saturday's "Friends Event" photos can be found here.  If you haven't been to one of these you are missing out on a lot of fun.  Bring your dinner to the clubhouse and then ride trains all evening. 

The 2007 Spring Meet Schedule is available online.  Thanks to the efforts of Charlie Downs you will now be able to register online again.

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November 13 - The election results are as follows:
 

President - Jim Manley	Vice President - Bill Myers
Treasurer - Bob Douglas	Secretary - Stephanie Marks
At Large Director - Cliff Fought	At Large Director - Ken Bain	At Large Director - Pete Pennarts

Thank you to everyone who mailed in or came out to cast their ballot.

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November 6 - Below is an updated photo of Adobe City.  Thanks to Charlie Downs for sending it in.

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November 3 - The 2007 calendar is available.  It can be found here.

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October 19 - Pictures were sent in of the city municipality location known as Tanksalot.  More pictures can be viewed here.

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October 8 - The Long Range Planning Committee is requesting your input.  If you have any ideas that would benefit MLS please submit this form to any of the committee members.  More information about the long range plans of MLS can be found here.

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September 13 - Audrey Massie sent a note to Perry.  He asked that it be posted for all to see.

Dear Friend 
   I sure appreciate your message and it is hard but I know I will get through it.  My boys and friends have been so wonderful.  Everything went well. Ray and I loved one another so much and he was a good husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He had many friends especially the ones from Phoenix like I said to you you all were like family and we hated to move but I wanted to be with the boys in case something happened. Ray sure missed you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Love to you all
  Audrey
 

Pictures from the Boy Scout visit in August have been posted in the Gallery.  Here is a link directly to them.

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September 5th - It is a sad day for the MLS family.  A long time member and friend to many folks, Ray Massie passed away today after suffering from a heart attack in St Louis, MO.  Ray was 88 years young.  For those of you who are too new to the club to know it, the section of track that runs through the trees on the Pottsville branch and the siding on the north side of that is named after him.  Below are some pictures of the area.
 

The Sunday Run Schedule for the current and following month is available here.

The 2006 Certified MLS Engineers list has been updated and posted here.  Is your name on it?  If not, the exam can be downloaded here.

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August 13 - Everyone had fun eating ice cream at the August 2006 Ice Cream Social after the MLS business meeting. 

Even some of the AMRS folks joined us.  If you have any more photos of the evening, please email them to Jim Manley so he can put them up on the web.

The new saw mill is in operation.  For those that have not seen it, here is a photo showing stacks of newly cut ties waiting to go to the treating plant.

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July 26 - Fisher bird flu update.  Apparently the concern over the bird flu in Fisher has been exaggerated.  Jerry Moore has sent in proof of this.

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July 4 - The 2006 Certified MLS Engineers list has been posted here.  Is your name on it?  If not, the exam can be downloaded here.

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July 1 - Please be careful when visiting the town of Fisher as the bird flu has recently hit there.  As you can see it has been devastating to the area.

The GIIP Short Line RR has some new equipment for rearranging landscaping.  Here is Jerry Moore toughing it out in the "shade".

Jerry Moore is going to be a proud "grandpa" or "dutch uncle" to some quail hatchlings soon.  Here is a photo of his brood near his container.

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June 23 - Jerry Moore's Spring Meet Photos have been posted on the Sprint Meet Photos Page.  They can be found here.

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June 21 - You've come a long way, baby!  Bill Pardee found a gem in a July 1972 copy of Live Steam magazine and emailed it to your webmaster.  Here is the quote:

I was looking through a copy of a July 1972 LIVE STEAM Magazine and found a report on live steam clubs.  Maricopa Live Steamers was listed with the following tabulation:
Founding Date  1969
Club Newspaper was the Gandy Dancer
There were 11 regular members
We had 1000 feet of 7 1/2 track and 1000 feet of 4 3/4 track
There were 3 operating steam engines
Three diesel were under construction

Thanks Bill for the email.  How many of you remember MLS from 1969?  How many of you remember 1969?!!!

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June 13 - For the 2006 Train Mountain Ramble, over 7500 miles were traveled by our two lone guests.  Bill Ferris and his son, Shane, from Queensland, Australia joined us for the days activities.  Bill and Shane are members of the Queensland Society of Model and Experimental Engineers Inc. Shane Ferris can be seen here talking with Bill Pardee.

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To see more of this slithering silliness, click here

An online photo gallery is being set up for all our photos.  They can be accessed through the link on the left of the home page or through this link.  Initially, there are only photos from the 2006 Spring Meet and beyond.  Expect more photos as time progresses.  And, as always, if you have any photos you'd like to submit please contact Jim here.

May 24 - Spark arrestors are now required for solid fuel steam engines.   Perry has informed us that the County Parks & Recreation Department has put a “no open fires” ban into effect at all of its parks, and that includes our railroad.  Therefore, any solid fueled steam engine will be required to have a spark arrester on its stack.  Which brings up another problem with solid fueled engines—ashes.  Please do not dump your ash just anywhere. We have two ash pans in Adobe City. PLEASE USE THEM!

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May 20 - How many people with shovels does it take to fill ballast cars?  None, with the club's new front loader.   Here is a work crew using it on Saturday, May 20th.

Many thanks to those who helped physically and financially to get this up and operational.

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May 18 - Two new links have been added to the Railroad Links section. They are for Get Machining Tools.com and Kap Pullen's Bluechipper website.

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May 12 -- 2006 Spring Meet Photos are posted here for your viewing pleasure. If you have any photos you would like to share, please give them or email them to Jim Manley.

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April 26 -- The First Annual Operations Meet will be January 18, 19, &20, 2007. More details can be found here.

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April 8 - Perry sent us this photo captioned "You go first." "No, you go first." " No, you . . ."

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March 5 -- The 2006 MLS Engineer's Exam is available. Anyone pulling the public must pass the exam.

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January 17 -- What's this? you may ask. Good question. You're looking at the newest marvel at our very progressive railroad. Whilst in Adobe Station, select the route you wish to travel by pressing the appropriate button. The signal system will line the switches for you and, when the route is clear, display a green signal. A set of push buttons is provided for each of the four station tracks, the bypass track and the engine lead. Thanks to Jim Brown and the other members of the signals gang for the hard work that made this all possible. The electronics boards that make this possible are pictured below. To turn on the signal system in the absence of a tower operator, simply press the red button on the south side of the Adobe Tower. After two hours, the signals will turn off automatically. This works 24/7.

What are we doing with all the rail we acquired? Making track panels. The track fabrication plant is producing finished panels faster than they can be hauled away, it would seem.

A slight shift in the power structure has occured. Jim Manley is now Chief Dispatcher. Jim Brown is Signal Superintendent.

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January 11 - The engineer controlled route selection system is fabulous. Thank you, Signal Gang for all of your work.

Here's a photo of Signals Superintendent Jim Brown with the newly-completed electronics bay that controls our signal system.

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September 21 - You want signals? We got signals -- 24/7. Push the red button on the south side of the Adobe Tower and you'll turn on the Werner and Bobberg signals any time day or night. No tower operator is needed! After two hours, the signals will turn off automatically. Push the button again any time to extend the time. Thanks to Jim Brown and the signal gang.

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August 14 - The great 2-1/2 minute video filmed by Maricopa County is now available for your viewing pleasure. Our thanks goes to non-resident member Bill Yoder for converting the video to a form that we are able to post on our web site.

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July 5 - Why you don't stop a hot train on a wooden trestle is the subject of a gem submitted by Betty Moore. Take a look.

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April 20 - Jim Manley and Paul Karczewski put together tips from Paul's Car Building Clinic he presented at our Spring Meet. Thanks, Jim, for a very nice job.

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March 16 - How do you pick up a "Big Boy" and move him? Take a look

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February 19 - A vastly improved system map is available for your amazement here. It depicts the proposed Far Flung Flats Subdivision.

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February 15 - Mr. Motorist: It's up to you to give persons on foot a courteous, friendly warning -- a danger signal that will not rob them of their presence of mind. Many a tragic auto accident is due to the inefficient "honk-honk" or the terrifying squawk signal that alarms and unnerves pedestrians and makes them run into danger -- instead of away from it. There is just one, sure, courteous way to signal your coming -- one warning that is distinct and musical, that cheers and does not frighten -- that never fails at the crucial moment -- The Aermore Exhaust Horn, the Horn Harmonious.

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December 30 - Windows users have a lot to worry about these days because the sloppy holes left in the Windows versions of Internet Explorer and Outlook are exploited by the spyware/spammer/virus/pop-up thugs. But now, there's something you can do to avoid all of the plagues I've mentioned above. It's a free Internet browser called Firefox. And it has an email companion called Thunderbird. The greatest New Years gift you could give yourself would be to click the GetFirefox logo (above) and check out these marvelous, free programs. They are easy to install and configure. Any doubts? Read Walter Mossberg's Wall Street Journal column about Firefox, published December 30, 2004.

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December 20 - A new locomotive has arrived at Wilson's Wash and will provide transport up the steep incline to Martin's Ferry. Passengers will find luxurious accommodations in the coach shown in front of the locomotive. The practice of throwing empty whiskey bottles at the steam dome is foolhardy and is strictly prohibited.

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October 29 - Sometimes things go wrong in Colorado. Thanks to Jim Manley.

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May 17 - Honey, I shrunk the train! Those Brits. A queer lot, don't you think? Here are some British live steamers with their powerful and sturdy locomotives, with tenders able to withstand the weight of an entire engineer! Actually, it's a photo we snatched from the web site of the Romney Marsh Model Engineering Society located in Kent, England. The site says "The Society caters for all modelling interests with a special emphasis on live steam. It now has a membership of around 275 and is affiliated to the Southern Federation of Model Engineering Societies. The permanent raised track at Rolfe Lane has facilities for 2-1/2", 3-1/2" and 5" gauge locomotives and both coal-fired and electric models are seen regularly at meetings. You might wish to visit their web site. Thanks, Betty Moore.

Update: John Wimble, Secretary of the Romney Marsk Model Engineering Society for the past 32 years, responded "Yes, we are a queer lot! Anyone who plays trains is. Thanks for putting our pic on your website. I'll put a link to it from the RMMES. Best wishes, John Wimble,

What in the world is Sahuaro Central? If not for Sahuaro Central Railroad Heritage Preservation Society, Inc., MLS and the Adobe Western Railroad would be without a home. It's important that you read about the history of this organization, and consider becoming a member. Dues are modest, and the health and safety of Sahuaro Central are vital to MLS.

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April 1 - We found an unusually good animated drawing of the Walschaert valve gear drawn by one R. A Booty and we commend it to your inspection. You will find it here along with some other drawings explaining how steam engines work.

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March 26 - Do you know about the library at Pottsville that contains more than 200 hard-cover books about railroads, trains and related subjects? It's open every weekend. Check it out! Do you have any books you'd like to donate to the library?

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March 12 - The populace of Adobe City was treated to a visit yesterday by the eccentric inventor Thomas Edison whose likeness appears here. Mr. Edison's visit was occasioned by the bringing of electric current to our fair clime, and the stringing of devices called light bulbs (see image at the right) which emit a soft glow far superior to that of a mere candle. Mr. Edison claims his electric current can also be employed to turn the wheels of agriculture and industry and may some day power an electric train!

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February 16 - At the February business meeting Charlie Downs demonstrated an Electronic Conductor's Alarm which will be installed on the club locomotives, 4402 and 4403. The conductor uses a small fob transmitter to trigger a loud siren alerting the engineer to stop the train. It can be installed in the locomotive or configured as a portable unit which may be placed on the tender floor. Perhaps you'd like one for your train. Information about the alarm, where to purchase it, the cost, the source of a suitable battery, and how to wire the alarm is here

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August 7 - New York. LOW & BURGESS, PURVEYORS OF SUPPLIES FOR RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT COMPANIES, has favored us with selected pages from its newest 1860 catalog. We direct your attention to these items vital to the operation of any railroad:

• Kerosene and Candle Car Lamps
• American Steam Gauge Company steam gauge
• Signal Bells for Locomotives
• Queen’s Patent Portable Forges with Bellows
• Water Gauges & Steam Cocks

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August 7 - Geronimo. RESIDENTS OF THIS SLEEPY BURG on the Werner World Branch recently discovered a passing siding has been installed in their fair city. Citizens hailed the event in a jubilant, if somewhat confused manner, by overdosing on Ayer’s Sarsaparilla and chasing a local burro with sticks. Owing to the lack of wood in the region, the burro appeared to be in no real danger. At last report, the beast was leaving town on the back of an Adobe Western flatcar for quieter locales. July 16 - Martin’s Ferry. ALL ADOBE WESTERN EMPLOYEES ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that when flinging non-paying passengers off at Martins Ferry Bridge, please ensure at all times that it is high tide prior to doing so, and to fling on the Ferry side of the bridge, thus insuring our passengers the very best of service, and a better than average chance of being rescued. Your cooperation is appreciated.

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July 8 - Philladelphia. HOW DOES BALDWIN DO IT? We put that question to Justin Threadgill, our roaming correspondent, who ventured to the Fair City of Philadelphia to obtain the rivet-by-rivet description of the Building of a Baldwin Locomotive. You must be sure to read it.

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June 17 - Adobe City. LATE OF SAN FRANCISCO, a charming young woman has set up shop on Container Row in Adobe City. She is Wilma Banke, well know in San Francisco as “The Friend of the Organ,” (Hammond) who entertained tens of thousands of her devotees each day when she played that favorite song of so many, “Beautiful Dreamer,” introducing the Dan Sorkin KSFO Weather Report featuring the prognostications of one Freddy Meyer, a retired civilian Navy weather forecaster. But I digress.

Madame Banke Madame Banke has opened an emporium devoted to (as we say when those of delicate dispositions are present) “games of chance.” She invites all to visit her container to try their luck at the more popular diversions of the day, including the Game of the Pharos -- Faro, Three Card Monte, several versions of Poker and Crabs Double Ace (Craps). All major credit cards are gratefully accepted and spiritous libations are available.

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Wanda Wen
WANDA WEN, new General Manager of the Farkelberry Wine Canning Plant, somehow fired up the "Old Soldier" and got it moving after spending the day tasting Farkelberry Murlot Reserve.
Problem: She didn’t know how to put the Soldier in reverse.
Result:

We wanda wen she will get it back in the station.

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HOW TO BOOT A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE makes great reading. An excerpt:

It’s 3:30 in the morning, as my alarm goes off. Ouch. Today, it’s my turn to get old 153 up to speed for Sunday operations. I drag myself out of bed, bleary-eyed, and shower quickly. An hour later, the gravel in the parking lot crunches beneath my tires as I drive up to the gate of the museum. I take my coffee and rolls with me as I open the train shed, and flick on the lights. There, three feet away, are the cylinders of the 153, a 1922 product of the American Locomotive Company.

The sightnever fails to astonish me. One hundred and eighty-four tons of people-magnet, as my friend Al is fond of describing her. I walk down the left side of the locomotive, admiring her Brobdingnagian proportions inside the building, and climb up the gangway into the cab. Time to get to work.

Want to read more and see the photos? Here you go.

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What happens when two firemen and an engineer who have no business being in or even near a locomotive think the water gauge is correct when in fact the water level is below the top of the crownsheet and stays there for a few minutes? Read this NTSB report in pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat reader with which to view and print the document, get it here.