GOING INTO WINTER QUARTERS. This weekend's Sauerkraut and Bratwurst days at the Stephenson County Antique Engine Society provided me a bit of downtime after the Illinois Economics Association conference. Sunday was also the last open day of 2006 at the Silver Creek and Stephenson. The skies were less threatening than they were on Labor Day, but temperatures were somewhat lower.


Compare the position of the locomotive with its position in the September picture. It has to stop where the fireman can swing the water hose over the filler pipe on the bunker. Model railroaders can enhance the appearance of their pikes by observing a similar discipline with their trains.

Never mind the cool weather, there's nothing like a warm boiler to drive away chills. The museum offers cab rides for a reasonable mark-up over the $5 adult ticket price, itself quite reasonable. A Heisler has a different kind of dynamic augment than a rod-drive locomotive. The stack talk when it's working hard is similar, as there are two cylinders exhausting alternately.


With Hallowe'en coming, the museum has offered a night ride called the "Train of Terror." It appears as if passengers would be wise to bring bread crumbs to leave a trail out of this forest.


Looks like an inviting place for a stop-over. Were they grilling brats? (The "Train of Terror" is also done for this season. The Saturday evening trips hauled large numbers of people, but they stopped early account heavy rains that were soaking the North West Frontier.)


The Heisler took the night off. This diesel was power for the themed train.


There are a few other critters in the engine house, and they are all operable.

Train enthusiasts: if you're in the Freeport area, look in on the Silver Creek. Its open days are limited to a few weekends such as the threshing bee and the county fair. It's wise to check ahead.