CSX Transportation Historical Society

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N&WHS Convention Hostling Tour at Strasburg RR - 07-14-2017

Rail Fan Adventure --

1. Strasburg Hostling Tour. Brochure page 1. 2017-11-05.
Strasburg Hostling Tour. Brochure page 1. 2017-11-05.

2. Strasburg Hostling Tour. Brochure page 2. 2017-11-05.
Strasburg Hostling Tour. Brochure page 2. 2017-11-05.

3. Strasburg Hostling Tour. Brochure page 3. 2017-11-05.
Strasburg Hostling Tour. Brochure page 3. 2017-11-05.

On Friday morning we reported to the Strasburg RR engine house to soak in all the preparations needed to get a steam locomotive ready for its days work.

4. Strasburg RR SW-8 8618 is the shop switcher. It came from the NYC originally, but later served Penn Central and Conrail.
Strasburg RR SW-8 8618 is the shop switcher. It came from the NYC originally, but later served Penn Central and Conrail.

5. That stack of lumber on the right is the hint that SRR is a common carrier also. It is unloaded from rail and stored until the customer needs it. Strasburg engine house.
That stack of lumber on the right is the hint that SRR is a common carrier also. It is unloaded from rail and stored until the customer needs it. Strasburg engine house.

6. Ready to pull “N&W” 475 out of the engine house, Strasburg 8618.
Ready to pull “N&W” 475 out of the engine house, Strasburg 8618.

7. Fireman oiling the air compressor on 475.
Fireman oiling the air compressor on 475.

8. Oiling air compressor View 2.
Oiling air compressor View 2.

9. Oiling air compressor View 3.
Oiling air compressor View 3.

10. Several types of oil used on the various appliances on a steam locomotive.
Several types of oil used on the various appliances on a steam locomotive.

11. The mechanical superintendent (whose name I regretfully didn’t jot down) answered all of our many questions.
The mechanical superintendent (whose name I regretfully didn’t jot down) answered all of our many questions.

12. There was a light drizzle at times that morning. N&W 475 Strasburg.
There was a light drizzle at times that morning. N&W 475 Strasburg.

13. Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal 0-6-0T has been modified to look line Thomas The Tank Engine. It was built by H. K. Porter in 1917 and came to Strasburg in 1998. No. 89 is a 2-6-0 that was originally Grand Trunk and later Canadian National. It was built in 1910. Strasburg.
Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal 0-6-0T has been modified to look line Thomas The Tank Engine. It was built by H. K. Porter in 1917 and came to Strasburg in 1998. No. 89 is a 2-6-0 that was originally Grand Trunk and later Canadian National. It was built in 1910. Strasburg.

14. Draining the injector on 475.
Draining the injector on 475.

15. Blowing moisture out of the air line on 475.
Blowing moisture out of the air line on 475.

16. Blowing out air line on 475. View 2.
Blowing out air line on 475. View 2.

17. Fireman in the cab. Hostler in cab 475.
Fireman in the cab. Hostler in cab 475.

18. Butterfly Fire Door on N&W 475.
Butterfly Fire Door on N&W 475.

19. N&W 475 fire box.
N&W 475 fire box.

20. N&W 475 fire box. View 2.
N&W 475 fire box. View 2.

21. Notice his foot on the peddle to open the door. The door opens by air. Hand firing 475.
Notice his foot on the peddle to open the door. The door opens by air. Hand firing 475.

22. The coal comes from the Clearfield PA area. Hand firing 475. View 2.
The coal comes from the Clearfield PA area. Hand firing 475. View 2.

23. The view out the engineer’s side of 475.
The view out the engineer’s side of 475.

24. Trimming the fire on 475.
Trimming the fire on 475.

25. 475 left cylinder.
475 left cylinder.

26. Baker valve gear plate on 475.
Baker valve gear plate on 475.

27. Ex-N&W 475 and ex-Great Western 2-10-0 no. 90. Strasburg.
Ex-N&W 475 and ex-Great Western 2-10-0 no. 90. Strasburg.

28. That’s the car shop on the right. Coaling 475.
That’s the car shop on the right. Coaling 475.

29. Checking the sand on 475.
Checking the sand on 475.

30. Cleaning the ash pan on 475.
Cleaning the ash pan on 475.

31. The time honored scene of the engineer with his grip. The engineer and fireman reverse their roles in running the engine.
The time honored scene of the engineer with his grip. The engineer and fireman reverse their roles in running the engine.

32. Cleaning the ash pan on 475. View 2.
Cleaning the ash pan on 475. View 2.

33. Cleaning the ash pan on 475. View 3.
Cleaning the ash pan on 475. View 3.

34. Time to move the engine. This sequence of events happened every day before the “Virginia Creeper” departed Bristol. In 475’s case, it was the “Salem Local”. Engineer in cab 475.
Time to move the engine. This sequence of events happened every day before the “Virginia Creeper” departed Bristol. In 475’s case, it was the “Salem Local”. Engineer in cab 475.

35. N&W 475 backing.
N&W 475 backing.

36. N&W 475. Strasburg. N&W 475. Strasburg.

37. N&W 475. Strasburg. View 2.
N&W 475. Strasburg. View 2.

38. Hostler checking the journal lubrication on 90’s tender.
Hostler checking the journal lubrication on 90’s tender.

39. Hostler checking tender journal. View 2.
Hostler checking tender journal. View 2.

40. Lubrication soaked “waste” in the journal.
Lubrication soaked “waste” in the journal.

41. Both engines will operate this Friday. Strasburg 90.
Both engines will operate this Friday. Strasburg 90.

42. Hostler, engineer, and fireman for 475.
Hostler, engineer, and fireman for 475.

43. Tender 475.
Tender 475.

I was amazed at all the work necessary to bring a steam locomotive to life. We enjoyed every second.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young