Re: Sumpter Valley Railway

I am not so sure about that. I guess it is based on your personal opinion and how you stand with physical labor. I am a fireman on the New Hope & Ivyland RR. The 40 is a coal burner and I'll tell you what there is no better feel then when the engineer has the locomotive charging up the grade right on square, your fire is white hot and your holding 170lbs with the injector running! That my friend is a rush! You might be shoveling like a mad man but I'll tell you what I love ever minute of it! Also trust me bad days are not just had on wood burners. We had one load of coal that was more shale then coal. You couldn't make steam with it to save you life. Then the next week we had a load that was radioactive! I would barely put any on and I would be fighting to keep off the safeties. Every once in a while though you get the perfect coal and I mean perfect. It ashes well, it burns hot and it doesn't clinker up. Those are the days you dream of.

-Eric