Eric Long photo A few weeks ago, lying on Eric Long’s work bench was a beautiful model steam locomotive. Made in 1970, the Great Northern 2-6-8-0 model is a highly prized, hand-assembled brass engine. Similar to the original locomotive, the model is propelled by a symphony of valves, pistons, side rods, counterweights and wheels. It is a beautiful, old model locomotive. If Long were to sell it today, it would go for hundreds of dollars. Before he got the engine, it had never worked quite right. The locomotive moved with a noticeable hitch ‒ hardly the smooth motion one would expect from a steam engine. An old friend gave it to him on the condition he would figure out how to fix it.