The Wolf Engineer
Gather 'round! And I'll tell you about the bravest engineer ever to roam the rails; Donald Snow!
Donald Snow was born on August 24th in the year 1947. In the years of his childhood, most steam locomotives were breathing their last, making way for the new diesel and electric locomotives that were taking over the trade. Donald got to see a few steam engines in action, and fell in love. He decided that he wanted to do whatever he could to help bring them back; but wasn't sure how to go about doing that. As he grew up, he started reading about the feats accomplished by steam engines of old, and the engineers and firemen who drove them. One engine stood out from the rest; the British steamer, the MALLARD; the fastest steam engine in the world. Donald was convinced that if a steam engine could break that record even by one mile an hour, perhaps people would begin to see jut how much they meant to the world of railroading. After working on a proposal for a long time, he presented it to the Northern Pacific Railroad's board of directors in 1973, and they decided to go ahead with the project.
Adapting an existing steam engine to achieve such a speed was not an option; it had to be a whole new locomotive. A team of experts (mainly men who had built and driven steam engines in the 30's and 40's) was selected to ensure the new engine would be sturdy, efficient, and safe. Taking inspiration from old stream-liners, the build team built a wonderful new engine, which they named, the CORSAIR. The board of directors nominated Donald himself to drive her, and he accepted; taking with him a man named Evan Walters to be his fireman. On the 23rd of August, 1974, Donald and Evan set out to make history. They pushed the CORSAIR to her limit on a desert track and achieved a maximum speed of one hundred and thirty miles per hour! Four miles per hour faster than the MALLARD! Donald and Evan became heroes, but for Donald, victory was bittersweet. The CORSAIR was made an official locomotive of the Northern Pacific Railroad, but no other steam engines were brought back into service. In time, Donald came to appreciate what he had achieved; he was now the engineer of the fastest steam locomotive in America, and the world.
After her record breaking run, the CORSAIR went on to pull passenger trains from Chicago to Seattle and down the Pacific coast to San Francisco. On occasion, she would also pull freight trains. Donald and Evan remained her master engineer and fireman. Every day as Donald drives his beautiful baby girl, he remembers how she surprised everyone; showing the world that steam locomotives could still do great things if loved and cared for. He also hopes that someday, more steam engines will be restored to working order, if only just to show people what railroading was like not so long ago.
Donald Snow, Evan Walters, and the CORSAIR are copyrighted to SPARTASTICUS.
Art is copyrighted to the great Vilani.
The MALLARD is a real steam locomotive.
Donald Snow was born on August 24th in the year 1947. In the years of his childhood, most steam locomotives were breathing their last, making way for the new diesel and electric locomotives that were taking over the trade. Donald got to see a few steam engines in action, and fell in love. He decided that he wanted to do whatever he could to help bring them back; but wasn't sure how to go about doing that. As he grew up, he started reading about the feats accomplished by steam engines of old, and the engineers and firemen who drove them. One engine stood out from the rest; the British steamer, the MALLARD; the fastest steam engine in the world. Donald was convinced that if a steam engine could break that record even by one mile an hour, perhaps people would begin to see jut how much they meant to the world of railroading. After working on a proposal for a long time, he presented it to the Northern Pacific Railroad's board of directors in 1973, and they decided to go ahead with the project.
Adapting an existing steam engine to achieve such a speed was not an option; it had to be a whole new locomotive. A team of experts (mainly men who had built and driven steam engines in the 30's and 40's) was selected to ensure the new engine would be sturdy, efficient, and safe. Taking inspiration from old stream-liners, the build team built a wonderful new engine, which they named, the CORSAIR. The board of directors nominated Donald himself to drive her, and he accepted; taking with him a man named Evan Walters to be his fireman. On the 23rd of August, 1974, Donald and Evan set out to make history. They pushed the CORSAIR to her limit on a desert track and achieved a maximum speed of one hundred and thirty miles per hour! Four miles per hour faster than the MALLARD! Donald and Evan became heroes, but for Donald, victory was bittersweet. The CORSAIR was made an official locomotive of the Northern Pacific Railroad, but no other steam engines were brought back into service. In time, Donald came to appreciate what he had achieved; he was now the engineer of the fastest steam locomotive in America, and the world.
After her record breaking run, the CORSAIR went on to pull passenger trains from Chicago to Seattle and down the Pacific coast to San Francisco. On occasion, she would also pull freight trains. Donald and Evan remained her master engineer and fireman. Every day as Donald drives his beautiful baby girl, he remembers how she surprised everyone; showing the world that steam locomotives could still do great things if loved and cared for. He also hopes that someday, more steam engines will be restored to working order, if only just to show people what railroading was like not so long ago.
Donald Snow, Evan Walters, and the CORSAIR are copyrighted to SPARTASTICUS.
Art is copyrighted to the great Vilani.
The MALLARD is a real steam locomotive.
10 years ago
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But, I am more excited about the smaller steamers on the small museum lines that are becoming active once again.
And Steamtown finally has steam again.