Today I booked a ride in a dome car behind "The Queen of the Fleet" on April 9, 2016! The last time I saw her in steam was June 1994, I was 31 and never knew that her fire would go out that December. Since then I've grown older, now 52 and her fire is back once again! I'm flying to Charlotte on Friday the 8th. Driving to Spencer that afternoon and attending a send off barbecue that evening. The following morning it's all aboard for a round trip to Lynchburg and back. Looking forward to riding behind her for the second time. The first time was with my Dad on Father's Day 1986 from Tolono, Illinois west bound through my hometown of Ivesdale to Decatur, Illinois. I remember sticking my head out the window and getting cinders in my hair and face. I lost my Dad in March of 2012. As I board the train in April memories of Dad will be with me. I had a chance to sit in the 611 cab that day in '86 but I let a small child go ahead of me only to be told that no one else was allowed to come aboard. My goal this time is to climb aboard and pull that whistle rope in memory of Dad!
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