I think that the ambition of all young men of my age, was to drive a real steam locomotive.  My Father's foundry shared a rail siding with the Dryfus scrap yard.  I spent many hours watching the railroad deliver sand and pig iron to the foundry.

        I got to know the engineers and fireman on the train.  It was a great surprise, when I was invited to be in the cab with the engineer.  The locos were known as camelbacks, as the cab was built over the boiler.  Here I was driving a real steam locomotive with the engineers help, of course.  We drilled freight cars in the yard that went up to St. Charles St. along Ferry Street. 

        A real thrill for a twelve year old.

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