Re: GB&L 44

I, (along with others on this forum) had the pleasure of both operating and firing both 40 and 44. I was partial to 44 as it was the first steam locomotive I ever worked on (along with Westside No. 14), but I think the differences, good and bad, depended on the time in history of operations. I know that the 44 seemed to steam and operate will in the late 70's, but when 40 showed up, it took some getting used to as the firing valve and other vales were in a different location than 44. Looking back at that time in history and also in the mid eighties, the 40 seemed to be a little more powerful with a heavy train than 44 which was getting pretty worn out as it had been in service at both Central City and the loop for some time. Not sure when all the back-up light movement happened, but sometime in the eighties is my guess.

Early run in 1975 a year prior to the start of regular operations and the first season in 1976.


Late 1970's


Double header in the eighties