Here's a Memory. Should be in Model Trains-But I don't subscribe to them!
Again with the -- It was a cold morning and the sun wasn't up yet!
My age ? Just turned Ten this morning. Dad says get up . Grandpa is coming to pick me up. Grandpa? He works for New York Central ! He's an engineer! Grandpa arrives just as the sun starts to peek above the horizon.
He's old world German, But I won't try the Accent in print! He grabs me in a bear hug-grandpa style and says "Are you ready Young one? Sure! Then lets go!" We go to his car. You wouldn't believe this car. It's a Silver and Blue Hudson Hornet! Low, Wide and Fast! Yeah, Grandpa is a leadfoot!
We arrive about fifteen minutes later, at of all places the Railyard and Repair shop. We go inside the ready office and there's a bunch of young and old Rail guys standing around. They catch me offguard by singing " Happy Birthday" They actually didn't sing to bad!
The Conductor for Grandpa's train takes me aside. "You cannot board that way", he says. And promptly gets a box and hands it to me. "Come on and get ready we've only got fifteen minutes" and then he leaves the room.
Inside this box is a pair of Engineer coveralls my size, and an Engineer's hat and scarf! Suited up, I step out to cheers?
Why? Well it seems the Rail Union and New York Central Railroad gave permission for me to ride grandpa's train to Pittsburg, In The Cab! This would never happen today with all the safety and insurance regulations.
Why? Well, Grandpa's train was pulled by what is called a J-4 Hudson, Steam Locomotive, and they'd fixed it up for me to be the Engineer for that trip with Grandpa along to make sure it was done right!
If you have ever gone to a Train Museum and have seen what a Steam Locomotive of that type was, size wise, you would say, like me " Holy Cow". Grandpa had to boost me up while the Fireman reached down and took my hand to help me up into the cab!
I sat in Grandpa's seat( He stood right behind me ) and did what he told me to , Reacting to signals from the Conductor and pulling up to the station. The passengers boarded and we were off. Slowly at first but we gained speed till we were on time headed from Buffalo N.Y. to Albany,N.Y. then to the next stop, ending in Pittsburg,P.A.
I can still close my eyes and hear the sounds from that day and if I am careful I can almost smell it! I sometimes wonder if children, when they grow old will be able to reminisce like this. Maybe, maybe not.
That's why I consider myself one of the most fortunate old men in my town. Look what I've done as a child. Children can't get that today. Why? Well, there's all the safety rules, and insurance rules and lastly, all the Security protocols in place. The world today is actually a wilder place than it was in my childhood.
I can still remember a neighbor lady calling my name and telling me to hurry on home, My mom's got dinner on the table! This doesn't happen anymore either. We hardly know our neighbors and vice-versa . Oh Well, Enjoy this little missive too. T.B.