Later, I was informed 1228 had made a recommendation for me. It was the friendship of the Y6b 2184, who 1228 called "Abigail Two Feathers." This intrigued me, as I thought only J's had names. But the locomotive who gave me this recommendation (an M2) told me that the Y6's had Indian interests, and had adopted Indian surnames, and 2184 had in addition, been given by a close friend (who the locomotives did not yet know) the name Abigail. The M2 told me the name was from the Bible, which gave me a idea on its origin.
However, since this Abigail worked on the Pocahontas Division, and we J's on run-through status there, I did not expect to be able to meet her. Once I had my writing lessons, I was able to write to her, but an ooportunity came earlier. I was sent on a test run that summer to Bluefield, and upon arrival at the Bluefield roundhouse, I asked if 2184 was available. I was told she was not there at present, but would be there later. I decided to wait for her, and settled down beside another Y6b, who told me a great deal about operations in Bluefield and on the Pocahontas Division.
When I was told that 2184 had arrived, I asked that she be informed about me and that she had been recommended to me as a friend. A locomotive carried this message for me, and I waited patiently where I was, until I was called for to go to the roundhouse. There I took a stall directed for me. A whistle as soon as I pulled in indicated the locomotive I was waiting for was in the next stall. I introduced myself, and soon, I found my new friend very warm and interested in me. A tray was later passed to me, which contained large flat cakes. 2184 told me this was a specialty of hers, which, of course, were called coalcakes. A few of these were given to me, and I found them much to my taste. Later, Abigail took me to a shed outside the roundhouse, where she taught me to make the coalcakes. I had many thanks for her before I was due to leave, and was pleased to find such a kind friend in the locomotive who had been recommended to me.
About this time, I was called for to appear before one of the older J's to be tested on what I had learned regarding J operations. I had this test at Shaffers Crossing, and was honored to be examined by the first J, Mama. This testing covered different aspects of operation that J's were supposed to know, as well as timetable specifics and a trick question or two added in. One of the questions I was asked: Who is the present president of the United States? (The answer (in 1950): Harry S. Truman.) I was also given lessons in reading and writing at this time, taught by any locomotive that might be available to instruct me. That meant I might be taught one day by an A, another by a Y5, and the next by a Z1b. Other locomotives often came up to offer bits and pieces of information, which on the occasion involved locomotives from other railroads, the Southern at Bristol, and the several railroads that served Cincinnati, but seemed to be limited in interest to the Baltimore and Ohio, Pennsylvania Railroad and again, Southern, also on a few occasions, Louisville and Nashville locomotives. I should note only steam locomotives of these railroads paid any attention to me; as diesels kept their distance and I had learned early they were at best avoided.
Having passed the test given by the older J's on knowledge of J operations, I was cleared for regular service. My younger sisters, Tal and Lilli, passed the test with flying colors as well, and they were able to join me in regular service as well.
I had gained much interest in writing, and found my interest (to my surprise) encouraged. I arranged to purchase a notebook and pencils, and relying on my crews to keep my pencils sharp, kept the notebook in my pilot so I can note on something even while I was running. I went through many notebooks over the years and kept every one. The story I write now is related to these anecdotes I wrote in the notebooks years ago and faithfully preserved.
However, since this Abigail worked on the Pocahontas Division, and we J's on run-through status there, I did not expect to be able to meet her. Once I had my writing lessons, I was able to write to her, but an ooportunity came earlier. I was sent on a test run that summer to Bluefield, and upon arrival at the Bluefield roundhouse, I asked if 2184 was available. I was told she was not there at present, but would be there later. I decided to wait for her, and settled down beside another Y6b, who told me a great deal about operations in Bluefield and on the Pocahontas Division.
When I was told that 2184 had arrived, I asked that she be informed about me and that she had been recommended to me as a friend. A locomotive carried this message for me, and I waited patiently where I was, until I was called for to go to the roundhouse. There I took a stall directed for me. A whistle as soon as I pulled in indicated the locomotive I was waiting for was in the next stall. I introduced myself, and soon, I found my new friend very warm and interested in me. A tray was later passed to me, which contained large flat cakes. 2184 told me this was a specialty of hers, which, of course, were called coalcakes. A few of these were given to me, and I found them much to my taste. Later, Abigail took me to a shed outside the roundhouse, where she taught me to make the coalcakes. I had many thanks for her before I was due to leave, and was pleased to find such a kind friend in the locomotive who had been recommended to me.
About this time, I was called for to appear before one of the older J's to be tested on what I had learned regarding J operations. I had this test at Shaffers Crossing, and was honored to be examined by the first J, Mama. This testing covered different aspects of operation that J's were supposed to know, as well as timetable specifics and a trick question or two added in. One of the questions I was asked: Who is the present president of the United States? (The answer (in 1950): Harry S. Truman.) I was also given lessons in reading and writing at this time, taught by any locomotive that might be available to instruct me. That meant I might be taught one day by an A, another by a Y5, and the next by a Z1b. Other locomotives often came up to offer bits and pieces of information, which on the occasion involved locomotives from other railroads, the Southern at Bristol, and the several railroads that served Cincinnati, but seemed to be limited in interest to the Baltimore and Ohio, Pennsylvania Railroad and again, Southern, also on a few occasions, Louisville and Nashville locomotives. I should note only steam locomotives of these railroads paid any attention to me; as diesels kept their distance and I had learned early they were at best avoided.
Having passed the test given by the older J's on knowledge of J operations, I was cleared for regular service. My younger sisters, Tal and Lilli, passed the test with flying colors as well, and they were able to join me in regular service as well.
I had gained much interest in writing, and found my interest (to my surprise) encouraged. I arranged to purchase a notebook and pencils, and relying on my crews to keep my pencils sharp, kept the notebook in my pilot so I can note on something even while I was running. I went through many notebooks over the years and kept every one. The story I write now is related to these anecdotes I wrote in the notebooks years ago and faithfully preserved.
