Flying Scotsman photographer visits Slaton

By Melissa McCaghren

Slatonite GM

Bill Wagner remembers the time the Flying Scotsman visited Slaton.

He even remembers the meals he ate as a broke 21-year-old college student, including the time he and a friend were in Slaton looking at the train.

Ketchup and bread sandwiches.

“My buddy and I were out of money so we did odd jobs in whatever kind to make ends meet,” he said.

But in Slaton they did odd jobs around town, including for the Scotsman’s staff. They’d pick up meals and do other tasks to “ingratiate” themselves with the staff and earned a few dollars here and there.

Eventually, they were also able to sleep on the historic train when the workers saw they needed a place to stay. “The crew was nice enough to let us sleep in the administration car of the train,” he said, adding it was similar to the train scenes in “Harry Potter.”

The fact it was hot however was not similar, but it was one of several stories Wagner shared about his time visiting, helping with and taking photos of the Flying Scotsman Friday evening (Jan. 8) at the Harvey House.

The meet and greet was part of events opening the Flying Scotsman photography exhibit at the building. A signing of Wagner’s book being sold at the Harvey House, of never before seen photos of the train’s trip to Slaton, was also conducted both days.

For more information, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.