WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

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WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

WSPYnews.com photo by Mark Harrington.

For 70 years, trains have been a way of life in this family. 

First Augie, now sons Norman and Allen have always shared the ride.

There was the Iron Pony, named in a storefront display contest.

That was the Iron Pony whistle, still running to this day, although on Channel Islands between England and Normandy, France; it’s third owner after the Ottos.

Then came the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy 3000, an actual one-quarter scale model of the real locomotive that ran through Sandwich, that children, and adults alike will ride at the annual Sandwich Fair starting Wednesday. Augie Otto had the railroad stop the train in Sandwich to record its whistle. Even the bell is authentic. 

Many fairgoers will sit up front, sneaking a peek at what the engineer is doing. Allen Otto reveals what is happening, even before leaving the replica 1854 Batavia, Illinois train station.

Coming into the station, the ride’s over.

Saturdays are the busiest for the Otto brothers, and their assistant engineers Steve Farmer and Nate King. Then comes…

“That Monday, the fair is over,” Norm says. “That’s one of the hardest work days of the year. Take and clean everything up. Bring the engine home. Clean the boiler. A dirty job for Allen.

Allen points to the black steel frame surrounding the engine inside their shop. 

“Wash it all down with air pressure and cleaning solvent to get the grease out. I go underneath and it covers me. I keep an old pair of jeans and a shirt, then I burn it. 

Asking Norm Otto what is his favorite memory of the 3000, he pauses.

“Hmm,” Norm says.  “None that I can think of.”

“Well, really when do you think of this train,” followed Allen, “you think about a lot of work.”

“Yeah, you do,” said Norm.

“Long days at the fair,” Allen continues. 

For those wishing to see the real CB&Q 3000, it’s a short trip up to Union, Illinois at the Illinois Railway Museum. But for the Iron Pony, its fourth owners now operate it on the Channel Islands, between England and Normandy, France. 

On Tuesday, Norm was working on the locomotive’s fuel apparatus; the train engine moved from the shop to the train shed, which serves as a tunnel at the fair.

During the five-day fair run, so many admirers, young and old.  Norm and Allen just point to the sign that answers all the questions, so they can attend to the finer points of operating the train.

Fifty to sixty people on each trip, one-eighth of a mile around the oval twice, four minutes…always the best ride at the Sandwich Fair this week. 

You can listen to Mark Harrington's story by clicking below:

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