Re: Cantankerous #14

I am not sure who keeps spreading those nasty rumors about #14, but they oughta stop. #14 can not only pull those 9 car trains but has done so many times. I was on #12 one day when we broke down at Devil's Gate. #14 happened to be steamed up, so she came down and hauled not only the 9-car train, but #12 up the hill as well. To be honest, #12 was helping somewhat, but her valve timing had slipped and she was loping badly.
The reason for nor running #14 on the regular trains are mainly her higher gearing and the fact that she is getting old. The idea is not to wear her out more than necessary. She's fully capable but why wear the old girl out at her age? (CHS, take note of the foregoing sentence!!)
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