It was back in the days when the railroad was the most common mode of transportation. There were automobiles, and some airplanes, but the steam locomotive was the way most folks traveled and the way that most of the goods were distributed around the country. After dinner, people sat in the drawing room and listened to the radio programs, fading in and out from some faraway location, over the magical broadcasting signal. Later at night, as they lay in bed, they listened to the roar and squeal of the old steam whistles, telling them that the Old 97 was heading out of town for the run to the city, and wishing each and everyone a good night.

Charlie was an engineer on the old steam locomotives. He had spent most of his life riding those rails, first as a child, hopping rides out to the swimmi…