I'll admit, I wasn't looking forward to chasing the Big Boy yesterday. I lost my Dad suddenly to a heart attack at the end of July. He was my main train chasing partner (among other more important roles) and he hadn't yet seen Big Boy run. We were looking forward to taking my niece out with us to get her indoctrination started young, and knock out her first train chase, and first steam locomotive, taking out 2 birds with one large black Alco-shaped stone. As yesterday drew near, everyone else that would have ridden with me was either sick, or couldn't get a day of vacation, so I embarked on my first solo steam chase. It was a very bittersweet moment to watch Big Boy roll through my home town for the first time, and know Dad wasn't next to me to watch it too. I did manage about a half dozen shots, but it was running away from the sun all day. I recreated a couple shots that my dad and granddad took of 3985 on one of it's trips (I was young enough in 92 to still be mastering the whole "point camera at train" thing)and managed somehow to not recreate their shot of Flying Scotsman at Marlin in 1968 (well before my time), so Ed- I know you're on here - I need you to run another steamer down this way so I can try to get that one...uh, I mean for railroad PR Purposes... yeah, that's it. :) Anyway, here's the best shots from the day.
Bradley Linda
Waco, TX
1- Big Boy seen across an empty cotton field at Highbank, TX
2- Big Boy seen approaching Waco - recreating a 30 year old photo of 3985 - just south of Tehuacana Creek (That's pronounced Tuh-wock-a-knee)
3- Big Boy is "on the road again" through Abbott, TX - hometown of one Willie Nelson
