So, I was re-reading my great-great uncle’s obituary (10+ years gone), and I found that he worked for ‘the railroad’ out in Montana before he was drafted in WW2. Immediately asked Dad about it, if this uncle ever said anything. “Not a lot” Dad replies. “Just that he cleaned ashes from engines, and that it was hard and dirty. And you know that he didn’t like getting dirty.” He went on to say that this uncle *might’ve* said where this place was, but he couldn’t remember. He named Great Falls, Fort Benton, and Conrad.

So, I’ve been searching for railroads and engine facilities/roundhouses in or near these cities. Great Northern keeps getting mentioned in passing, but not much. I want to find out if it was the GN, or maybe possibly a small shortline. My extended plan is to model an engine with this road, and name it for this uncle “E L Stevens”, numbered 2311 (1923-2011)

Go right ahead, stack another project on your plate 🙄