On a miserably wet June day, a veteran railfan native to western Washington waits at the platform in Elbe, WA. In the background, a Mount Rainier Scenic RR crew prepares Polson Lumber Co # 70 for the first run of the day. Yes, that's me in my bright boonie hat and camouflage Gore-Tex jacket.

Yes, it is normal for this locomotive to pull a train while running backwards. #70 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philidelphia, PA. in 1922. It was designed as a logging locomotive. It is equally capable of pushing or pulling a train from either end.