6AM smiles warmly upon a Nickel Plate 700.

There are no easy days, except days off, but a few tricks are quieter than others and a few nights cooler than some.

"Train No. 68 for Cherry Hills, Willoughby, Carpenters, and Riley Crossing departing at 8PM. If you're not going to any of those places, ladies and gentlemen, you're on the wrong train. 'BOARD!"

Panned and silhouetted, the 1225 charges through double crossings and shatters the frost-bitten silence of a Sunday morning.

A young student peers into the cab of 3751 during the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society's Education Outreach Program in San Pedro, California.