by Vanessa Alt

On August 16, my family and I went to New Haven to see the 765 steam engine.  While we were there we got to see different engines and train parts.  We got to see what felt like a million things: trains moving, where they put the coal, old time passenger train, and cabooses.  While there we got to ride the caboose where the workers told us the history. In the 1900’s cabooses were made of wood but in the 1960’s they became all steel.  In the last 15 years though they have not needed cabooses so they took them off the tracks.  They aren’t allowed on the many tracks anymore.

While there I interviewed Steve Widdling.  He has been volunteering for the Fort Wayne historical society for 40 years.  He says it’s an expensive hobby but it’s worth it.  He explained that steam engines were built to last if they were well maintained.  He compared the taking apart and putting back together to giving a brass bar to an art student and turning it into a beautiful sculpture.  It was a fun learning experience that you should take advantage of if you can.