The next day, I was brought something to eat and was tended to in the roundhouse, then was brought out onto the turntable, where I would shortly be shown around. A yard locomotive (a Y3) was assigned to show me around, and I obediently followed him as he showed me about the Shaffers Crossing terminal. I was told that it was expected of every locomotive to submit for service and inspection before each run, and I soon found out what this was like. This would consist of cleaning the fire, washing, filling the tender with coal and water, lubrication, as well as a lengthy and thorough inspection.
I note that it was expected to allow what was usually private functions (as can be expected in a steam locomotive) to human workers. Cleaning the fire was one of these. And I found it to be an asset, as it not only rid me of ash and inedible coal, but also helped my digestion function better as well. After this, I got a bath, which removed the itchy dirt and soilings from my skin. Then to the coaling tower, where the tender was loaded with coal and water, as I was ensured of enough to eat and drink during a few hours' run. Finally, after receiving sand and lubrication, I had the inspection (which was ticklish at first) and I was deemed ready for my first run.
I waited nearby to the roundhouse for what seemed to me an interminable time, then I was given a crew and I went back to the Roanoke station. I waited there a while for my assignment, then was backed to the train. Upon feeling the weight of a train on my drawbar (which was still new to me) I was soon given orders to go forward. I soon found I could pull the train easily, and was soon eased up to track speed as I left Roanoke. I found myself going quite fast and was not restrained from doing so. Only in station stops and bridges and curves did I have to reduce speed, and in station stops I should take special note. I was at first very anxious at having to stand still after learning the fun of running, and it took special encouragement for me to learn what I needed to do. But I soon learned and progressed with few problems.
I should say the crews that were selected for me on those early runs were quite understanding, and eager to encourage me or teach me what to do if necessary. They never scolded me for my mistakes or my young enthusiasm, and had quite the gift for handling a new locomotive like me.
There was only one thing that caused me problems in those early days, and that was tunnels. Going into darkness frightened me at first, and if it was not for the gentleness and understanding of my crews, I would not have been encouraged to go on. I soon went through tunnels without much difficulty, which was to me a true asset as there is quite a few tunnels on this railway, and such training would be needed to operate passenger trains without pause.
I was scheduled for test runs for quite a few months, and was told that I would join the other J's in regular service after these runs were completed. I was told two other J's were being built, and should join me soon. I was anxious upon hearing more sisters were coming, and had to be told to relax and concentrate on my runs. But, in June, class J 612 joined us, and followed soon in July by 613. 613 would turn out to be the last J built, though we did not know it at the time. These new J's soon joined me on test runs, though I was nearly completed what was scheduled for me. I got to know them and found them unique in character. 612 was excitable, and had an active sense of humor, while 613 was quiet and gentle. However, one day, we got quite a game together when a J-ball was found and we got to playing around Shaffers Crossing. But soon a older J, 602 (named Lil) came upon us, and told us to quiet down and listen to her. We settled down and Lil told us it was past time for us to learn manners. She took us to a corner of the yard and taught us manners. This took about a hour or so, as there was about a hundred manners to learn. Lil had made manners her specialty, and had already a book she had written, called Lillie's Practical Guide to J Manners. Lil delighted in teaching manners, and this we didn't take long to learn. Besides manners, there was more for us to learn that day. Lil said that since the J's had decided to choose names for themselves, it would be needed for us to have names as well. She named me Lady, my sister 612 as Tal and 613 as Lilli. The names she chose on qualities she felt we had. I got the name Lady from Lil feeling I would be ladylike in character, something I have not failed to recognize.
However, I learned several more things from my older sisters. One of these most important things was the way the J's thought they should run passenger trains. I heard of this first when I was being taught J manners by Lil. But I soon was to hear more. One day, while I was resting at Shaffers Crossing, another J pulled up to me. She told me she was Linna. Linna said to me, "Are you aware of the procedure in which we J's are to run our passenger trains?" I replied, "I have been told some in J manners." Linna said to me, "There is more. We J's have developed custom in addition to manners." This intrigued me. Linna then proceeded to give me her version of these customs, and I would hear of these customs again from other J's who came up and felt it important to inform me. One locomotive I should note of is Sis. She held quite strong opinions, and felt I was vulnerable and needed protection. I wondered what she had found in me, and later found A 1228 and asked her what she had meant. 1228 replied that I was a new locomotive and had yet to learn all about the world, and needed to know who and what to trust to proceed through the world safely. I asked who could I trust, and 1228 said, "We locomotives, because we live under the strict standard of behavior common to all N&W locomotives. Your crews have a standard of trust, as they labor under the trust we locomotives give them to operate us properly. We locomotives know the variance in human nature, and feel that the crews must be given a standard to live by if they are to be allowed to work with us. You see, my dear young J, the human race has been far from kind in years past. It has made much destruction upon this earth, and has failed to learn from its lessons. But don't think from that the whole human race is bad. There is a few honorable individuals, and quite a few of those are employed with the N&W, and are entrusted to us day by day in engine service." I kindly thanked 1228 for her answer, and thought on what she had said for many days afterward.
I note that it was expected to allow what was usually private functions (as can be expected in a steam locomotive) to human workers. Cleaning the fire was one of these. And I found it to be an asset, as it not only rid me of ash and inedible coal, but also helped my digestion function better as well. After this, I got a bath, which removed the itchy dirt and soilings from my skin. Then to the coaling tower, where the tender was loaded with coal and water, as I was ensured of enough to eat and drink during a few hours' run. Finally, after receiving sand and lubrication, I had the inspection (which was ticklish at first) and I was deemed ready for my first run.
I waited nearby to the roundhouse for what seemed to me an interminable time, then I was given a crew and I went back to the Roanoke station. I waited there a while for my assignment, then was backed to the train. Upon feeling the weight of a train on my drawbar (which was still new to me) I was soon given orders to go forward. I soon found I could pull the train easily, and was soon eased up to track speed as I left Roanoke. I found myself going quite fast and was not restrained from doing so. Only in station stops and bridges and curves did I have to reduce speed, and in station stops I should take special note. I was at first very anxious at having to stand still after learning the fun of running, and it took special encouragement for me to learn what I needed to do. But I soon learned and progressed with few problems.
I should say the crews that were selected for me on those early runs were quite understanding, and eager to encourage me or teach me what to do if necessary. They never scolded me for my mistakes or my young enthusiasm, and had quite the gift for handling a new locomotive like me.
There was only one thing that caused me problems in those early days, and that was tunnels. Going into darkness frightened me at first, and if it was not for the gentleness and understanding of my crews, I would not have been encouraged to go on. I soon went through tunnels without much difficulty, which was to me a true asset as there is quite a few tunnels on this railway, and such training would be needed to operate passenger trains without pause.
I was scheduled for test runs for quite a few months, and was told that I would join the other J's in regular service after these runs were completed. I was told two other J's were being built, and should join me soon. I was anxious upon hearing more sisters were coming, and had to be told to relax and concentrate on my runs. But, in June, class J 612 joined us, and followed soon in July by 613. 613 would turn out to be the last J built, though we did not know it at the time. These new J's soon joined me on test runs, though I was nearly completed what was scheduled for me. I got to know them and found them unique in character. 612 was excitable, and had an active sense of humor, while 613 was quiet and gentle. However, one day, we got quite a game together when a J-ball was found and we got to playing around Shaffers Crossing. But soon a older J, 602 (named Lil) came upon us, and told us to quiet down and listen to her. We settled down and Lil told us it was past time for us to learn manners. She took us to a corner of the yard and taught us manners. This took about a hour or so, as there was about a hundred manners to learn. Lil had made manners her specialty, and had already a book she had written, called Lillie's Practical Guide to J Manners. Lil delighted in teaching manners, and this we didn't take long to learn. Besides manners, there was more for us to learn that day. Lil said that since the J's had decided to choose names for themselves, it would be needed for us to have names as well. She named me Lady, my sister 612 as Tal and 613 as Lilli. The names she chose on qualities she felt we had. I got the name Lady from Lil feeling I would be ladylike in character, something I have not failed to recognize.
However, I learned several more things from my older sisters. One of these most important things was the way the J's thought they should run passenger trains. I heard of this first when I was being taught J manners by Lil. But I soon was to hear more. One day, while I was resting at Shaffers Crossing, another J pulled up to me. She told me she was Linna. Linna said to me, "Are you aware of the procedure in which we J's are to run our passenger trains?" I replied, "I have been told some in J manners." Linna said to me, "There is more. We J's have developed custom in addition to manners." This intrigued me. Linna then proceeded to give me her version of these customs, and I would hear of these customs again from other J's who came up and felt it important to inform me. One locomotive I should note of is Sis. She held quite strong opinions, and felt I was vulnerable and needed protection. I wondered what she had found in me, and later found A 1228 and asked her what she had meant. 1228 replied that I was a new locomotive and had yet to learn all about the world, and needed to know who and what to trust to proceed through the world safely. I asked who could I trust, and 1228 said, "We locomotives, because we live under the strict standard of behavior common to all N&W locomotives. Your crews have a standard of trust, as they labor under the trust we locomotives give them to operate us properly. We locomotives know the variance in human nature, and feel that the crews must be given a standard to live by if they are to be allowed to work with us. You see, my dear young J, the human race has been far from kind in years past. It has made much destruction upon this earth, and has failed to learn from its lessons. But don't think from that the whole human race is bad. There is a few honorable individuals, and quite a few of those are employed with the N&W, and are entrusted to us day by day in engine service." I kindly thanked 1228 for her answer, and thought on what she had said for many days afterward.
