Zen and The Art of Locomotive Firing *PIC*

Phil,
If you truly wish to become one with the locomotive, and in doing so attain nirvana (a little buddhism never hurts), you must come to know the locomotive intimately. You must caress the locomotive, letting it know that you intend to treat her well. Only then will she treat you kindly, and run as a truly content machine.
The personification of the above statement was on October 3, 2004 - final revenue Extra Train behind #40. I'm sitting in the left hand seat, firing for Howard. Once through the cut, Howard opens the throttle and lets her walk up the Ladder Track and around High Fill. Chugging around High Fill at a pretty good clip, watching the steam gauge sit just under 180 lbs, I listen to 40 do what she does so well and happily - she loves to run a little fast, and put on a show. I don't think I had to touch any controls from the cut up to Plume. That engine fires like a dream when she runs fast - she loves to run fast, and she lets you know it.
If anyone would like a larger version of this photo, let me know and I can send you one.
Shane