Re: Tom Atkinson

I enjoyed working with Tom when I would occasionally get out of the shop and fire a helper engine for him. I recall a time or two when I was losing steam and he would say "why dont you come run a while and I will fire for you." He would look in the fire box and then get out the deck hose and clean the deck and grab some waste and clean the windows or some such activity. I would start thinking isn't he ever going to put some coal in it. Eventually the pressure would start to come up and he would start in firing sowly and carefully. Next thing I knew we had the water and steam back where they should be. He never yelled and he sure made it look easy.

Tom if you get bored sitting around I have some shays and a heisler yoou might enjoy firing on 8 to 10% grades with switchbacks thrown in just for fun.


John Bush
Manager of Railroads
Roaring Camp & Big Trees
Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific