Re: {Chrysler 300} Big boy

[William Huff <whuff@xxxxxxxxxx>]

When i was but a youth, living in Panama for the Panama Canal, we lived 
very near the RR tracks at the edge of the Canal Zone and bordering on 
Colon, a Panamanian city.  They were using steam locos in those days.  
The terminal was probably 1/4 mile away and there were both passenger 
and freight trains in use.  When the trains were long (relatively 
speaking) the steam locos were still spinning wheels when they passed by 
our house.  You could hear the RPMs raising and then lowering when the 
throttle was modulated to stop the spinning.  Many a penny I squashed 
under the trains, even found some of them afterwards.

We lived in a duplex up and down wooden house on a long (200') 
triangular lot with the switching yard behind us here the triangle point 
was.  There was a gap in the fence that I used to sneak through, several 
of the engineers would give me rides in the switch engines and let me 
move the throttle and sound the whistle.  I was way too small and weak 
to move the Johnson bar.  I don't imagine that sort of fun is available 
today.

Bill Huff

On 1/9/2026 11:15 PM, Lindsey wrote:
> Lost the thread from earlier this week, but John, and rest should make the effort to see this machine. It was in Omaha shortly before the fall 2024 meet and i missed it. Fortunately Canadian Pacific merged with Kansas City Southern and ran one of CP’s steamers from Calgary to Mexico city in 2024, at mainline speeds, 50+ mph. That is something to see, hear and smell. I was fortunate enough to drive chinese engines in north east China a couple of times before they were phased out. They were built in 1997/98, last ones. I was surprised by how smooth they were and how much torque was available. Hard not to spin the wheels. Worth the effort to go out of your way. Hoping they will run big boy further north this time so i can catch it. 300’s are sleeping but great snowmobiling weather in Winnipeg now 😁
> Best
>
> Sent from my iPad

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