Back in the first years that we ran at Camp 6, there were good crowds. I have an 8mm movie of the first day, and there were long lines. Summers of 1968 and 69 were very busy. Jack Anderson and I were very active there, doing most the minor repairs, building the loading steps and platform, playing brakeman, and helping fire up, as well as all the spit and polish.

Norm Elsner, the engineer on the Shays since the late 1930's drove from Klikitat, each Friday, to run the 7. He was around 80, and sure had some great stories! Here's a shot of the crew, I think in either 1968 or 69. This was taken with an add-on self timer with my old Speed Graphic.



Crew, left to right, Tim Johnson (conductor/brakeman)., Steve Thompson (me (conductor/brakeman).), Jack Anderson (conductor/brakeman)., Vance Collier (fireman), Norm Elsner (engineer), Mac(caretaker), and Roy Cutler(conductor/brakeman).

We went round that dang circle of track so many times we'd lose track. Normally it was 3 loops and back in, but... "how many was that?" "Damned if I know!" "Ah hell, guess we better go around again!".