05-14-2017, 10:30 PM
Grand River Southern's 5303 crossing Chippawa Creek...
![[Image: GRS%202-6-6-2...%20157%20Large.jpg]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/doctorwayne/A%20LOCOMOTIVE%20FOR%20THE%20GRAND%20RIVER%20SOUTHERN/GRS%202-6-6-2...%20157%20Large.jpg)
Supposedly, she's heading to the Erie Northshore's shops in Lowbanks for some modifications, but rumours are rife that she'll be cut up for scrap.
On a recent test run, she stalled on the big hill towards Park Head. This was with an eight car train, which a relief Grand Valley 2-8-0 easily walked up the same grade, solo. A subsequent test revealed that the 5303 stalled a second time on the same grade, this time without a train.
"She's a sweet runner, no doubt about 'er.", offered Nat ("the Nut") Philbert, the 5303's fireman, "but she can't pull but 'er own shadow....'n' besides that, ya doan wanna be backin' 'er up mor'n a cuppla foot, or she'll put 'er trailer on the ties. "Fluffy", (Fred McCloud", the engineer), "musta put 'er on the ground eight 'er nine times tryin' to git back to the Junction so's we could head down here t' Lowbanks. Mind, though, comin' down here was quite the charm, with nary a slip and she rides like a big Packard...too bad we weren't pullin' nuthin'.
Supposedly, she's heading to the Erie Northshore's shops in Lowbanks for some modifications, but rumours are rife that she'll be cut up for scrap.
On a recent test run, she stalled on the big hill towards Park Head. This was with an eight car train, which a relief Grand Valley 2-8-0 easily walked up the same grade, solo. A subsequent test revealed that the 5303 stalled a second time on the same grade, this time without a train.
"She's a sweet runner, no doubt about 'er.", offered Nat ("the Nut") Philbert, the 5303's fireman, "but she can't pull but 'er own shadow....'n' besides that, ya doan wanna be backin' 'er up mor'n a cuppla foot, or she'll put 'er trailer on the ties. "Fluffy", (Fred McCloud", the engineer), "musta put 'er on the ground eight 'er nine times tryin' to git back to the Junction so's we could head down here t' Lowbanks. Mind, though, comin' down here was quite the charm, with nary a slip and she rides like a big Packard...too bad we weren't pullin' nuthin'.