I think that the ambition of all young
men of my age, was to drive a real steam locomotive. My Father's
foundry shared a rail siding with the Dryfus scrap yard. I spent
many hours watching the railroad deliver sand and pig iron to the
foundry.
I got to know the engineers and fireman on the train. It was a
great surprise, when I was invited to be in the cab with the engineer.
The locos were known as camelbacks, as the cab was built over the
boiler. Here I was driving a real steam locomotive with the engineers
help, of course. We drilled freight cars in the yard that went up
to St. Charles St. along Ferry Street.
A real thrill for a twelve year old.
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