Interesting, but melancholy, day

[Edwin Frey]

Shortly before noon, #3489 left the engine house, took on water, and started into an afternoon of shuffling freight cars around. The cars from the photo freight were consolidated on one track, with the exception of the stock cars which appeared to be pulled down to the stock pens by the wye. Shortly afterwards, three box cars were pulled up from the swamp and spotted just south of the sandhouse. The bucket loader pulled either 484 or 488 (couldn't tell which one) out west side of the engine house, sans tender, and moved her to the other track. A flat car was spotted in front of her. Toward the end of the day, I could see the fireman trying to scoop the last dregs of coal out of 489's tender. Chores complete, it appeared that 489 dropped her fire and backed into the engine house under what steam was left. The fat lady is singing, but she ain't gonna be welcome around there come spring!