Who Says You Can't Go Home Again?

I am always going to flea markets and antique shops in search of railroad items. Whenever I find something I always think what stories could the item tell during its railroad career. In 2008 I found this locomotive cab inspection report holder with several reports in it. This item would have resided inside a locomotive cab and contains all relevant information that is recorded during a locomotive inspection. This plate was from a Western Maryland Alco S-6 #151, built in 1956. She probably served her railroad well, but now her railroad was long gone and I was sure the locomotive was gone, too. I found a picture of the locomotive and put the set on my train room wall as a memorial.

In 2009 I was reading an article in a train magazine and I was reading about a locomotive that had been restored out in central PA and was going to be used by a short line for freight service. The locomotive was Western Maryland S-6 #151! Not only did she survive, but she was restored and running! This particular railroad also operates seasonal tourist trains. I contacted the railroad and explained what I had and that I wanted to return my item to the locomotive where it belonged. Needless to say, they were thrilled! I made arrangements for a long family weekend and we went to the railroad to return their item. The railroad gave us a free ride on their tourist train as a thank you. But wait, it gets better!

After the last train of the day had returned, we were informed that a customer in the nearby industrial park needed a freight move. Normally the locomotive from the passenger train would go do the move, but since we were special guests, the 151 was fired up. My whole family was invited to ride in the locomotive cab during the freight run! We had a great day and we thanked our hosts for a lovely visit. During the trip I had noticed the empty mounting holes where my inspection report holder had been previously mounted. Shortly after our visit, those holes would be empty no more.