Actually 80 years ago and a day...but who's counting? The following info. is off of a Sumpter Valley Dispatchers sheet.
On May 21, 1924, the Sumpter Valley was having a typically busy day. Engines 1, 18, 19, 20, and 50 were out on the road and #14 was switching the South Baker yards. The first call went out at 7 o'clock in the morning and trains were running until the same time the next morning, (#19 and #20 were shuttling empties and loads between Austin and Larch throughout the night). #18 was the road engine and she wheeled 56 cars into South Baker at 7:25 p.m. to end the day.
Of particular interest is this note;"Section men burning right of way between Tipton and m.p. 48= fire got away from section men.No damage done, fire out at 6:30 p.m. Burnt more or less brush above right of way. Brush burnt on O.L.C. land." Oops.
COMING SOON-Renown artist John Coker has finished a painting of our #20, in the next couple of days I will post a picture of it for your viewing pleasure.