Re: C&S 9 and WP&Y 69 at the Black Hills Central

Posted by Keith Hayes on Oct 22, 2023; 11:39pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/C-S-9-and-WP-Y-69-at-the-Black-Hills-Central-tp19167p19170.html

I first encountered #9 and train at Hill City about 1970. My Grandparents took me on a trip to see the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore and Lead, SD.

It must have been right before Memorial Day because the crew was getting whatever locomotive ready after winter storage. Grandpa was happily yielding to my desire to see the trains.

While I explored,  he struck up a conversation with the crew and quickly found out that the had enough pressure to blow the whistle and could his grandkid have the honor? Sure!

He hunted me down and explained the situation and what kid in his right mind would turn down THIS opportunity? I climbed up into the cab and the Hostler explained that I needed to pull on a "jump rope" cord on the cab roof. I must not have been an ounce over 60 pounds at the time and practically hung on the role with no results. So the Hostler put his hand over mine and gave the cord a proper long pull.

IT WAS REALLY LOUD.

I think I set a world record scampering out of the cab and into the bench front seat of the Buick next to Grandma.

Thus ended my brief day in engine service.

The next day we toured the Homestake Gold Mill and I have a vivid memory of walking by the enormous settling tanks full of sulfuric acid. I was just a bit taller rhan they were and I recall giving them wide berth should some acid suddenly splash out and melt me.

Those were the days before the EPA and OSHA got all their regs. rolled out widely.