Everybody knows what the real reason that locomotives exist... They're for having you picture taken with:
The reason the gang's gotten together is to congratulate the Kansas Grain Belt's chief mechanic, Pete Greyson (seated in the chair) on his retirement. Of course, trying to get everyone to stand still can be like herding cats, so the company photographers decided to just get Pete alone. As you can see, Pete can barely contain himself.
But a couple of the boys still wanted to get in a picture with Pete, so they picked him up lock, stock and chair and moved him up to the front of the locomotive because, "the light was better." Say cheese...
Old Pete seems his usual stoic self for the occasion, so happy retirement, Pete.
Rusty