Climax! When you run a geared steam engine, your kit typically includes all manner of lubricants, ranging from runny oils to really thick gear grease. Whenever you stop, you're constantly topping the oil cups, greasing the exposed gears and attacking the innumerable fittings with a grease gun. Here, veteran Engineer Earl Knoob, wearing his signature black bowler, wields the ever-present grease gun on MKC Climax #3, during an extended water stop at Elk Creek, along the Greenbrier River.
Scenes depicting steam operations on the old C&O Greenbrier Division between Cass and Durbin, WV, featuring Moore-Keppel Climax #3 and Meadow River Heisler #6.
As the years go by, more and more steam engines are being restored and operating therefore the old expression "steam is dead" is nothing but a false expression. Steam is strong and still ruling the rails.