This is my second year as a member of the Rush Run CEOS. (Formerly known as Extension Homemakers, but some upper level folks at WVU changed the name a few years ago to Community Education Outreach Services.)

Anyway, no matter what you call it, it is the ONLY club, organization, group, etc. that I belong to. I know. It’s “good business” to belong to trade associations, chambers, EDA’s… But I don’t. I belong to the one club in my county that actually serves my community within my county. And believe me, boys and girls, this one club is enough to keep me busy enough.

You see, our club isn’t afraid of work. We clean cemeteries, 2 miles of road in Adopt-A-Highway, plant flower beds, and collect whatever any other club, organization, non-profit, educational outlet, health service… needs us to collect. I save canceled stamps, toilet paper and paper towell rolls, box tops, used greeting cards…. I gather kitchen gadgets, lotions, powder, games, magazines, stuffed toys….

Every meeting, I have a mile-long list of things I must remember for that month’s donations, plus, the item of the month for the food pantry, plus, my change for the breast cancer collection barrel, my notebook, my club book, my book list, my recycling pounds for the month, my volunteer hours for the month….

…..

My point here is: most often, our club is working on something, or talking about working on something. But, once or twice a year, we go on a Club Trip.

This summer’s trip was to Durbin, WV, where we rode the Durbin Rocket. There’s a story about the Durbin Rocket, and it’s included in this month’s issue of Two-Lane Livin’ (which is being delivered this week in print, and will be updated online Saturday. The article isn’t up yet, or I’d provide you a link, but now you’ll just have to wait and check it out after Sunday).

So, I’m basically posting these photos about the Durbin Rocket, and you’ll have to wait until after Sunday to read the article online….

I love this photo. Look at it. That engine is 99 years old. In fact, Engine #3 is one of the rarest steam locomotives in existence. One of three Climax-geared locomotives, the 55-ton steam engine was built in 1910.

Doesn’t look a day over 29 does she?

There she is, waiting at the station. The lady to the right, in the black and white outfit, is my mom. Most of the folks at the depot are Rush Run CEOS Club members.

Now, here’s a photo that just wouldn’t work in black and white newsprint. It’s the fire-hot glow fo the coal in the broiler in comparison to the charcoal surroundings of the engine’s cabin that makes it great.

One the return trip, we stop on a bridge, to refill the Engine’s broiler with 1200 gallons of water from the creek below.

Sure, it’s a mellow, two-hour train ride. But, I can now say I’ve ridden a train pulled by one of the rarest steam engines in existence.

Now, don’t you want to learn more about The Durbin Rocket and Engine #3?

Tune in to Two-Lane Livin’ online, next week, to read all about it!