Deep Train

My friend Charles and I grew up on the same short street on Long Island. He was a serious train wonk already when I met him. We were five years old then.

Charlie was in the area and we decided we were overdue for a reunion. After breakfast, we drove out to Lancaster County and spent the afternoon at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum. It was like getting the "cook's tour" because my buddy knew everything about all the things on display. He considered this museum superior to its counterpart in Sacramento, which means it's about the best antique train joint in the country.

You can be sure a guy is an expert on trains --to the point where he has internalized an ocean of information, which he draws upon effortlessly --when he says, "I never really liked the Pennsy Tuscan red on models, but it looks a whole lot better in person."

We are standing in front of an EMD E-7 deisel-electric locomotive, called Pennsylvania Railroad No. 5901. It was in service from 1945 until 1973.

This day of hanging out with Charles was a real treat.