Back in the late 1870s, on a subsidiary of the Louisville & Nashville, a little wood-fired 4-4-0 was struggling up a long, steep grade with a heavy local freight. The engineer and the fireman worked mightily, and narrowly avoided stalling on several occasions. With the safeties lifting, and drivers fighting for grip, the little American finally crested the grade.
At the top, the engineer leaned back on his seatbox, and breathed heavily, "I thought we'd stall, and run away back down the hill for sure."
"Nothing to worry about", beamed the new head-end brakeman. "I went back and set all the brakes before we went up the hill!"
