One can learn much about the world in a few minutes. That is how it was for me, on my first day of life, May 29, 1950. Early that day, I found myself (as I have no knowledge of my existence previously) being tended to in the Roanoke Shops, my being scheduled to go out into life on that day.
I, as a young locomotive, found myself speculating on several things. The first, as I slowly pulled out from the shops, was whether it was really safe for me to do so. I was afraid something would drop down from the sky to kill me, or something of that kind. Being a new locomotive, I thought on these kinds of things. I also thought that I would be stopped somehow by track failure, the ground falling, or other seemingly ludicrous things of that sort. But being a baby in mind, I thought on those kinds of things.
However, no attention was given to either my thoughts or fears, and I was directed to where I learned later was the Roanoke passenger station, where I would be for a few hours. I was told that I was the first of my class to come out of the shops in several years, so that is why I was being presented in such a special manner. I was delighted at this, and even then I was of low self-esteem and thought it a great thing for me to be honored in such a manner. I was placed at a side track at the station shelters, where men worked cleaning me up and photographs were taken. I was told to stay where I was for the meanwhile, so as many people could see me as was possible.
But I not only got the attention of people, but of other locomotives as well. Every locomotive that passed me whistled in greeting, and quite a few were sniffing the air, in what we locomotives call 'picturing one's scent'. I was obliged to whistle back, though the men told me not to (when city of Roanoke ordinances and locomotive etiquette came in conflict.) After my time at the station, I was directed to Shaffers Crossing (engine service facility) where I would spend the night.
I of course did not know where to go, so I was led there by another locomotive. I found upon my arrival many locomotives of several classes, and knowing none, I was very afraid. But the kind A 1228 came to my rescue, and introduced me to the other locomotives. It was then I learned I was a J, and my road number-611. I was directed to two other J's, who with 1228 directed me to the roundhouse, where I was to spend the night.
The J's told me that I was to pull passenger trains, and gave me some details on my duties. Not knowing what this was, I expected to start work immediately. But I would be told I would have to settle in to work gradually, as well as learn lessons, which would include how to read and write, as well as manners. All this was planned as I settled down in the roundhouse for the night.
I did not go to sleep immediately, of course, but I being new to the world, I did not know of such a thing. I was told that this would come to me automatically, something I did not need to do anything for, when I asked what "automatically" meant. I must note my sisters were very generous and never complained even how many questions I might have. The explanations I got were even more useful.
I did not know then what sleep was, but I soon found out when I drifted away into the world of dreams that night. I do not remember what I dreamed of, but I know it was wonderful as I experienced sleeping for the first time.
I, as a young locomotive, found myself speculating on several things. The first, as I slowly pulled out from the shops, was whether it was really safe for me to do so. I was afraid something would drop down from the sky to kill me, or something of that kind. Being a new locomotive, I thought on these kinds of things. I also thought that I would be stopped somehow by track failure, the ground falling, or other seemingly ludicrous things of that sort. But being a baby in mind, I thought on those kinds of things.
However, no attention was given to either my thoughts or fears, and I was directed to where I learned later was the Roanoke passenger station, where I would be for a few hours. I was told that I was the first of my class to come out of the shops in several years, so that is why I was being presented in such a special manner. I was delighted at this, and even then I was of low self-esteem and thought it a great thing for me to be honored in such a manner. I was placed at a side track at the station shelters, where men worked cleaning me up and photographs were taken. I was told to stay where I was for the meanwhile, so as many people could see me as was possible.
But I not only got the attention of people, but of other locomotives as well. Every locomotive that passed me whistled in greeting, and quite a few were sniffing the air, in what we locomotives call 'picturing one's scent'. I was obliged to whistle back, though the men told me not to (when city of Roanoke ordinances and locomotive etiquette came in conflict.) After my time at the station, I was directed to Shaffers Crossing (engine service facility) where I would spend the night.
I of course did not know where to go, so I was led there by another locomotive. I found upon my arrival many locomotives of several classes, and knowing none, I was very afraid. But the kind A 1228 came to my rescue, and introduced me to the other locomotives. It was then I learned I was a J, and my road number-611. I was directed to two other J's, who with 1228 directed me to the roundhouse, where I was to spend the night.
The J's told me that I was to pull passenger trains, and gave me some details on my duties. Not knowing what this was, I expected to start work immediately. But I would be told I would have to settle in to work gradually, as well as learn lessons, which would include how to read and write, as well as manners. All this was planned as I settled down in the roundhouse for the night.
I did not go to sleep immediately, of course, but I being new to the world, I did not know of such a thing. I was told that this would come to me automatically, something I did not need to do anything for, when I asked what "automatically" meant. I must note my sisters were very generous and never complained even how many questions I might have. The explanations I got were even more useful.
I did not know then what sleep was, but I soon found out when I drifted away into the world of dreams that night. I do not remember what I dreamed of, but I know it was wonderful as I experienced sleeping for the first time.
