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Once, accompanied by my dad, I saw a New York Central steam locomotive
express roar through the Peekskill, New York station. I must have been five
years old or so, and was also frightened by the awesome smell, vibration, and
thunderous noise. Now, more than fifty years later, I still vividly
recall that day. As I write this, I remember the approaching train, and how my
father's excitement mounted as it got closer.

Many thanks for writing of your experiences. Your description of the
Norfolk & Western loco passing you at the grade crossing near Roanoke, and how
that engineer blew the whistle for you, evokes images right out of O.
Winston Link's wonderful collection of N&W photographs. Every now and then, if
I'm waiting at a grade crossing, I'll get out of the car to wave to the
engineer. Most wave back, but the last time I did this the seemingly
bored engineer was too busy stuffing potato chips into his gizzard to pay me
any mind. Oh well. Times change. I feel so lucky to have experienced the
Real Thing.

By the way, I'm also a telegrapher. I've been a ham radio operator
almost all my life, and use Morse Code extensively on the air. I use an old
McElroy telegraph key, or "bug," to send, and enjoy every minute of it. Most
other operators now send and receive using electronically controlled keys,
and they sound like robots. The old Mac key also reminds me of that earlier
era.