did not have a series finale. However, "Last Train to Pixley", the fourth-to-last episode to air, is in some ways like a series finale. In the episode, Hooterville Cannonball engineer/conductor Floyd Smoot decides to retire. The residents of the Shady Rest Hotel and Sam Drucker all take a ride on the Cannonball and recall (with flashbacks) such treasured memories as fishing from the train, a very pregnant Betty Jo driving the train when she is about to give birth, and the Christmas-time Cannonball decorated with lights. During the episode, Floyd sings the song "Steam, Cinders and Smoke", which was written by former cast member Smiley Burnette. It was released as a single in 1964 by Burnette and Rufe Davis (who played Floyd Smoot). At the end of the episode, Floyd decides not to retire when the people of Hooterville write him letters asking him to stay. Cast Bea Benaderet as Kate Bradley (seasons 1-6) Edgar Buchanan as Uncle Joe Carson Linda Kaye Henning as Betty Jo Elliott Mike Minor as Steve Elliott (seasons 4-7) Jeannine Riley as Billie Jo Bradley (seasons 1-2) Gunilla Hutton as Billie Jo Bradley (season 3) Meredith MacRae as Billie Jo Bradley (seasons 4-7) Pat Woodell as Bobbie Jo Bradley (seasons 1-2) Lori Saunders as Bobbie Jo Bradley (seasons 3-7) Frank Cady as Sam Drucker Smiley Burnette as Charley Pratt (seasons 1-4) Rufe Davis as Floyd Smoot (seasons 1-5; recurring season 7) June Lockhart as Dr. Janet Craig (seasons 6-7) Byron Foulger as Wendell Gibbs (season 6) Jonathan Daly as Orrin Pike (season 7) Cast notes The only actors who appeared in all seven seasons were Edgar Buchanan, Linda Kaye Henning, and Frank Cady. Buchanan was the only one to appear in every episode. Linda Kaye Henning appeared in all but two episodes: "Bobbie Jo and the Beatnik" (Season 1); and "Have Library, Will Travel" (Season 2). Edgar Buchanan, who portrayed Bea Benaderet's character's uncle, was only three years older than Benaderet in real life. Veteran character actor Charles Lane played Cannonball nemesis Homer Bedloe in 24 episodes. Lane said that he perfected his stern curmudgeon character-type on I Love Lucy. Recalling in 1981 his many roles, he said "They were all good parts, but they were jerks. If you have a type established, though, and you're any good, it can mean considerable work for you." The New York Times reported that Lane's persona was so