One last run. On the last day of steam operations for 2020, Valley Railroad Mikado #40 makes one last charge to North Chester with her final trip of the year. Here, she is seen working upgrade approaching the Dump Road Crossing. The cool, moist air this day makes for a nice, steamy plume from the stack of this 1920 Alco product. This engine is the former Aberdeen & Rockfish #40, having served that North Carolina line until she was retired in 1950. Amazingly, the engine was stored in the engine shop at the A&R for another 27 years, until being discovered by a representative of the Valley Railroad, which led to its purchase for tourist service here. Obviously, someone at the A&R cared for the old girl and wanted her to find a home someplace other than a scrap dealer. Affectionately known as "Miss Piggy" by some of the Valley engineers, because she's the only saturated engine in the fleet, this engine is very well-cared-for and is arguably the best looking of the three engines rostered by the Valley Line.
