On January 14, 2012, there was a post on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum about the existence of the Jefferson & Cypress Bayou Railway. I had NO IDEA there was a narrow gauge steam railroad in Texas. A quick Google search yielded the website and there it was... an "Engineer for the Day" program... in Texas... on a narrow gauge railroad... with STEAM!! Seconds later I was on the phone with Michele securing initial approval to make the trip. An email exchange with J&CB Engineer Joe Hedl soon followed and I had the information I needed to begin formulating a plan. A few emails with my buddy Everett Lueck came next and within a week reservations were made for Everett, Bill Ward (RR&G Engineer), and me for March 31st.

To say I was excited would be a slight understatement.

The intervening three months drug by at an excruciating pace, but the day for our departure finally arrived. On Friday, March 30, Michele and I drove north through East Texas to Jefferson. On the way up we made the obligatory stop in Trinity, Texas to see the last segment of WBT&S track. It's still there... for now.

WBT&S Rails - Looking West

WBT&S Rails - Looking East

UP Palestine Sub in background

We arrived in Jefferson about an hour before dusk. It's really a neat place, quite similar to Old Town Spring near our house. The town oozes railroad history and I felt right at home.

After checking in at the Jefferson Hotel, we I moved our luggage up to our room. We were both having flashbacks from the Grand Imperial in Silverton, but the Jefferson Hotel proved to be MUCH nicer... although just as quaint and historic. We met up with Everett and his wife, Celeste, for dinner in the hotel's restaurant, Lamache's. The food was fantastic! After dinner we took a walk down to the depot to get a look at J&CB #7. The paint scheme is pretty hard to deal with and both women referred to the locomotive as "cute" several times. I tried to get them to understand that it was a working narrow gauge steam locomotive with all the implied manliness therein. Both retorted that it was "cute."

Oh well... cute or not, I was going to get to operate the thing!!

The next morning, just after dawn, I got up, got dressed and headed for the lobby. The ladies were sleeping in and planned to join us later in the morning after the classroom training was over. Everett was already in the lobby, waiting. Guess we were both excited. So, we headed off to the depot to find Bill. He was sitting in the cab waiting for us! Guess he was more excited!

We met up with Joe Hedl, our instructor and Engineer for the day. Introductions completed, Joe checked the water level in the boiler then lit the propane fire in #7's firebox and we went to the classroom to begin the lesson. Yes, I said "propane." This ain't Colorado... and this 1964 Crown Metal Products reproduction locomotive doesn't burn coal. Disappointing, yes... but I was still going to get some throttle time!

Tender and lead coach couplers

Firebox

Engineer Joe

J&CB #7 in her new shed near the J&CB Depot

Cab Shots

The classroom training took about 90 minutes and covered the basics of steam locomotive operation and railroad safety. Of course, all of this was well-known to the three of us. Michele showed up after the class, just in time to get some photos as we took turns oiling the locomotive. By this time #7 had built up about 90 pounds of steam. As we oiled and waited on the pressure to build, Joe identified the various appurtenances and the methods unique to this engine.

Everett and I adding oil to the Hydrostatic Lubricator

Bill and I adding a water treatment solution to

 the tender tank.

Everett waves to Michele

Me, Everett, and Bill

J&CB Depot

The watch in my pocket is a replica/souvenir from the Durango & Silverton. I've had it since I was a kid, but rarely get to use it.

Cylinder Cocks are open as the pressure builds in the boiler.

While waiting for the boiler pressure to reach 180 PSI, we continued to oil the running gear and then added water to the tender. Around 1100 we were ready for departure. Bill took the Engineers seat first, I served as Fireman, and Everett rode the last coach as Brakeman.

About half-way into our first trip, with Bill driving, we came around the north curve of the balloon loop (about MP 3.5) and I noticed an old tie from a retaining wall had fallen down and was laying just outside of the rail. I yelled for a stop and leaned out for a better look (left photo) just as we rolled over it... and CLEARED IT, but by no more than inch. Bill quickly stopped the train and I hopped down to join Everett and Kenda to inspect the train (right photo). There was no damage at all and we easily moved the tie out of the way. Whew...

Cypress Bayou

J&CB Owners Francene DePrez and Don Rainey at the Depot.

After completing the first trip we oiled/greased #7 again then it was my turn at the throttle. Whoo Hoo!!

Ok... yes, the cowboy hat isn't prototypical. But, it's very comfortable and it keeps the sun off of my nearly bald head. Besides, this is Texas. What better place to wear a cowboy hat?! Also, I have seen at least two photos of railroaders wearing these on the Rio Grande narrow gauge in the 1960's.

This was a LOT of fun... and someday I hope to drive a K36 up to Cumbres...

North end of the balloon

loop on the Jefferson (Depot) side of the RR

Bill, Everett, me

On our third trip out, Everett operated, Bill was Fireman, and I served as the Brakemen.

Lining the switch

 on the balloon.

Having some fun

with the camera

My beautiful and ever-so-patient wife, Michele. No guy has ever had a better wife.

Our mission complete, we bid our farewells and began the 4 hour trek back to Spring.

SteamPunk was in town this weekend and set up shop just across from the railroad. We saw several people in costume that day and the night before, but NONE of them came close to the BRONZE STORMTROOPER we saw crossing the road as we left town. Traffic was stopped as everyone gawked at this guy.

On the way back, we made a quick stop in Marshall for a few photos.

I hadn't been there yet... but I'll be going back. Neat place!

Texas & Pacific E-4-A #400 (center)

Marshall Amtrak Depot

The depot is in the center of a wye and there is a pedestrian

tunnel under the south leg of the wye.

Each step going into the tunnel has the T&P

diamond logo embedded it it. Pretty cool!

We also stopped in Dibol, Texas for a quick look at

Texas & Southeastern #13, a 1920 Baldwin 4-6-0.

Engineer Joe and Kenda Hayes (Director of Operations) informed me that the J&CB was looking for an Engineer. The prospect is tempting, but the drive is just too far to make on a weekly basis.

This was a great trip, well worth the time and money to finally get some time in a cab. My little sister jokingly remarked that I was finally getting this dream "out of my system." She couldn't be more wrong. I've made things infinitely worse and am just itching to do it again.