Hi All:
Although not a guy that can comment on his skills and behaviors, I can
throw in my Max Wissel story.
On Sunday morning in May, 1964, I was at CUS early to ride a trip to
Dubuque behind 5632. I was dating a woman, who later became me wife, and
had invited her along. After stowing our "stuff" in a coach we headed
south the view the O5B.
CUS has alternating high (for mail) platforms and low (for travelers)
platforms. As we walked south, the steam trip consist was on our left,
an empty track was on the right. To the right of the empty track was a
high level platform, and to its right was the shiny consist of number
21, the Morning Zephyr, with the 12A and B for power. As we continued
south, 21's fireman called my name from his position on the high
platform adjacent to the cab door of 9912A. I looked over and recognized
Max. He motioned for me to come across, I excused myself and climbed on
to the high platform.
The conversation went something like this:
Max, "Ed, where are you headed?
Me, I'm riding the steam train to Dubuque and back"
Max, "Wouldn't you rather ride with us? We'll come back on 24 tonight?"
I silently and slowly turned to look at Barb on the lower platform and
said, "I would like to, but under today's circumstances think is would
be best to ride the steam train"
I never had a second chance and although I would have loved that ride, I
know I made a good choice.
Ed DeRouin
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