If the locomotives BILL FUEHRING and NUMBER 2 had operable whistles, they would have sounded at this moment. Simply put, this re-dedication to Bill was a TEN.

What can we all take away from this wonderful day, this TEN? For one thing, we can give thanks that the rain, wind and storms held off until precisely 4 PM, Museum closing time. Was this just good luck or Bill's Spirit still taking care of things for us all? I simply do not know.

 We can take away from this re-dedication a sense of joy, a joy that the torch has been passed and Bill's dream lives on. It lives on in the 4 Grandchildren who un- veiled the bronze, the eldest of these not yet 20. The dream lives on in the other ten grandchildren also, as well as with their parents, grandparents, family, friends and hundreds of decent folk who just like trains. 

 We can take away from this re-dedication the understanding that even though Bill is not physically working hard at the Museum, he is still working hard for the Museum. He will continue to do so as long as the letters on that bronze plaque remain legible and men, women and children of all ages are able to read them.

We can take away from this re-dedication the knowledge that while Bill's hand no longer touches every piece, his heart continues to touch everyone who passes through the Museum gates and sees the smiling man in his conductor's hat looking back directly at them. To paraphrase an old article re printed every Christmas since 1897, Yes Virginia, there is Bill, and Yes Virginia there is a TEN.

Charlie Wise

Talbott, Tennessee