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Larry,
I got to ride the train out and back one night when my great uncle was the fireman. It was in the late 50’s, very early 60’s…I was about 10 or less. We arrived at the MP passenger station and the train was set to go. The GP-7 was facing south looking at Douglas Ave, next was the bagg-exp-rpo, like in Charlie’s photo, next was a modernized HW coach like 6309, I think, then the 6-6-4.
I boarded the coach, got to a seat and we left shortly after…backing out to the ML, then heading west out of town. Out in the country the train stopped for an inspection, and I was taken off the coach and turned over to my uncle. On to the head end and away we went. After a cup of coffee (to stay alert) sitting with my uncle, I moved over to the engineers side and was taught when and how to blow the whistle. These were my duties until the next stop just as we arrived Geneseo. I went back to the coach and fell asleep for the remainder of the activities. Can’t tell you how we swapped Pullman cars with the Eagles…I missed it. I was aware of the arrival back in Wichita as my uncle woke me up. As we walked to his car I did notice that the Geep was now pointed North as we had backed into the station.
It was way too cold to be much fun as I helped scrape the windows on my uncles car…I was back asleep before we left the depot I did ask how the train got turned for the next night and my uncle told me that a switch engine would drag it out to 25th Street Yard for cleaning and service. I don’t know about the Pullman.
It was a great adventure for a young boy! (even though I missed the Pullman swap!)
Gary H.
