CNO&TP Engine 579 was photographed in 1896 when it was handling a work train engaged in distributing the first rock ballast to be used on the CNO&TP. According to Ties informant, Agent K. C. Gardner, Daisy, Tenn., it was the practice in those days for work trains to have a fireman- telegrapher who tapped wires and got instructions for the work train "on location." Fireman-telegrapher A. B. Willison is shown standing in the gangway. He retired as a telegrapher and now is living in Science Hill, Ky. The engineer was John ("Uncle Jack" ) Tilford, now deceased. His son John E. Tilford is now president of the Louisville & Nashville, Railroad Company.