West Side Lbr. Co. out of Tuolumne, CA was a HS age interest, but had stopped running just a few yrs. prior.
I did get out and hike a lot of the ROW and shoot all 7 ng Shays before they scattered to the 4 winds. Even slept
in my sleeping bag up on the tender of the 15 one hot summer night.
The operation that really made me appreciate ng was the former IRCA in Guatemala. I made 6 trips down there
and saw steam on every one. The first in late Nov of 1971 was the best as I not only got to fire a Krupp built 2-8-2
out of Guatemala City on my very first day, but also ran a helper by myself from Escuintla to Palin and then back as a light engine.
I also was the fireman on a light engine out of GC to Rancho and then back as helper on the daily passenger, a total of some 130 miles.
If you showed interest and any ability, most rails down there would bend over backwards to allow you to experience
the place. I was truly blessed.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2017 02:49PM by Tom Moungovan.