Smoky arrived at the museum in December of 2003 and took up residence in the Frisco steam locomotive #4003. Dr. Martin tried to give her a home inside the car barn, but she would scramble madly for an exit each time she was brought in! Smoky likes to keep lookout from her favorite spot high on the engine, choosing to come down only after she feels safe with her prospective visitor.
She was named Smoky for her dark gray coloring, and for her 199-ton iron home. In May 2004, Smoky gave birth to four kittens and started coming in the building a lot more, for food and “to get away from the kids,” as one volunteer put it. After all her kittens were found good homes she was spayed.
Throughout the years, Smokey had the Frisco engine to herself. Not many cats had the opportunity to make a steam engine their home and Smokey took full advantage of it for shelter and safety. Even in the winter, she had a small box and blanket up in the tender, but on many occasions spend the night in the car barn where it was warmer.
In the fall of 2016, our volunteers had noticed that Smokey was not eating food. An appointment with the vet was made and the news came back that Smokey had developed pancreatic cancer. As a result, Smokey passed away in December of 2016 and made the trip to Rainbow Bridge. Smokey was a good Trolley Cat, mother, and had the unique privilege of having her home be a steam engine. The Frisco #4003 will never be the same without her and will be deeply missed.