Carrying on a tradition... A young member of the Strasburg Railroad's mechanical shop crew seems deep in thought as he awaits his locomotive's move back to the engine house. He's one of many young people, born far too late to remember the steam era, who have learned the trade at the Strasburg Railroad. For as much as we picture the Strasburg operation as a mecca for the preservation of steam railroad hardware, it is more importantly a sort of university, where the human knowledge and skillsets behind that preservation are passed from generation to generation. Young railroaders often work at other operations for years to build the experience necessary to be hired at Strasburg and "attend the university". Some will stay and tutor the next generation and some will move on from Strasburg and use their knowlege to enrich other operations. Perhaps this gentleman is contemplating his accomplishments in reaching the "University of Strasburg." Or perhaps, he's just thinking about having a cold one!
