We took a trip to Dollywood this week as a treat for our daughter who is going off to seminary. One of our (okay, my) favorite things to do is ride the Dollywood Express, a twenty-minute trip through the beautiful Smoky Mountains behind an authentic steam locomotive. Dollywood Engine 70 is a Baldwin 2-8-2 narrow gauge locomotive built in 1939. She spent several years in Alaska and Canada and was borrowed by the US Army to help build the AlCan Hwy through Canada to Alaska. She's been taking guests on trips the entire 25 year history of Dollywood and also worked at Dollywood's predecessor, Silver Dollar City. She's a great locomotive and the crew affectionately calls her "Cinder-ella."
Engine 70 waits at the station before beginning another run. The water tower isn't a decoration.
During a typical day, Cinderella will consume about 5,000 gallons of water and 5 tons of coal.
Engine 70 waits at the station before beginning another run. The water tower isn't a decoration.
During a typical day, Cinderella will consume about 5,000 gallons of water and 5 tons of coal.
Our engineer did a great job.
It takes a skillful hand on the throttle to get a loaded train under way without a big jerk.
The "front office" of Engine 70. Beautiful craftsman ship and no plastic visible anywhere.
The long metal thing in the beam of sunlight is a sight glass showing the level of water in the boiler.
Very important as a boiler that runs dry can explode with tremendous force.
The fireman looks back to check on his train and gauge the status of the firebox by the color of the smoke.
Running an engine like this is a very hands-on operation.
These beautiful pieces of mechanical art can be treasured for their own sakes as well as for the work they can still do.
Thanks for a great trip guys and Cinderella.
Peace,
John
