Thursday, April 5, 2007

Engine 6167


A Peek Back Into History





I don't know about you folks reading this but this, for me, is a very sad photo. This proud engine was very busy back in the 1950's and earlier and now, alas, there is not much interest in her.

Around her rusty body is a rusty fence that is placed so close to the engine that getting a nice photo is next to impossible. The paint is peeling off and the rust is beginning to show in many parts of her body. How very sad!

The other day as I was driving past, I saw a very elderly man with a walking cane standing quietly leaning on the rusty fence peering into the various parts of the engine. I noticed that this elderly gentleman had a well-worn striped railway cap on so I can imagine that many years ago, just perhaps he used to be an engineer on an engine just like Canadian National Engine 6167.

Sometimes, history is cruel. At least I feel so. When I saw this elderly gentleman with that faraway look in his eyes, I quickly got my camera out to take a photo of him but by the time I managed to turn it on, etc. someone had picked him up and they had driven away.




* * * * *



I would like to thank you very much for the messages that you posted the other day and for the emails I've received. I've had a very bad virus involving my lungs and trachea for many weeks and just as I thought that I was finally recovering, my lungs started to fill up again so off to the doctor's office.


Then during this in the past week, my close friend passed away leaving a very sad husband and four children between 12 and 19 years of age. Fifty-one is far too young.



7 comments:

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

Oh Pat I'm very sorry I didn't realize you werent' well. It's sad, really sad, to read about your friend and her family but I'm happy you're back and I loved so much to read the story of this shot. I also loved so much those trains when kid my mom was used to take me to admire them passing under the bridge while we were surrounded by white fog. "Ciuf ciuf" was used to call it kids here :-)

Chuckeroon said...

Pat, I add my good wishes also. I sensed your missing presence. Now we know.

Passing through I compliment you on the engine and your comments...and oh, those wire fences!!!!

Kindest regards to you, and yours.

Anonymous said...

This is a very nice photograph of a steam engine like those that used to ply across out country. When I was small, during World War II, I sometimes laid outside on the grass and looked up at the stars, and sometimes heard a faraway train whistle. I knew it was hauling soldiers off to war in Germany or Japan. It was a sad time.

I do hope you recover, fully, and are back to normal in no time. There are some things, much like the flu, among younger people here in southwestern Ohio, where we live.

Get well.

Brookville Daily Photo

Deb said...

It does seem sad that this once-proud engine is now caged and ignored.
Glad you're back Pat-but sorry for your friend's loss.

Elaine in the World said...

Hello Pat! Glad to have you back with us. Hope you're feeling better. Sad condolences on the loss of your friend. Be well,
Elaine

kuanyin333 said...

I'm happy to hear you're better too. This same thing happens to me...the photo op is lost because I moved too slow to capture it. The story was a good one, however.

isa said...

A couple of days ago, Oya from Istanbul had a steam engine photo. Hers was completely restored and placed in front of the ferry terminal, as a reminder of days gone by...
So glad to hear that you are feeling better! I bet Gordie is taking good care of you (is he warming your tootsies?)