During a recent move I found something that brought back one of my most vivid memories as a kid. Riding the old steam train that would come to town each year. I can't say that I'm 100% accurate but I can recall every year we would hear distinct old steam whistle from our house (Near Old Kings and Soutel) as the train would pull into the Simpson Yard. My dad would load us up and we would go to check it out. This happened every year as best I can remember.
Finally one year my dad called around and found tickets that a hobby shop owner couldn't use and bought them. I was only 7 and it was 24 years ago but I can the trip like it was yesterday! Unfortunately we didn't have a camera so no photos of the trip.
This is my ticket from the ride.
(http://i.imgur.com/08dlYl.jpg?1)
I've found a photo of the train here http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=353792&nseq=4 (http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=353792&nseq=4) and I've found some youtube videos of this actual run. Apparently this specific steam engine was refurbished that year and has since been decommissioned. There are lots of technical bits about it here http://files.asme.org/ASMEORG/Communities/History/Landmarks/5609.pdf (http://files.asme.org/ASMEORG/Communities/History/Landmarks/5609.pdf).
I was wondering if anyone else (Ocklawaha) was on this train or remembers the old steam trains coming to town every year?