Merry Christmas Eve. It's off to play Santa's helper. And please don't for get whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
In lieu of a nice Christmas train picture, since I have a bazillion of them and no time to get up to the club to shoot pics, I present to you, a story compiled by Dad and I last year.
Finby: Elf Cop
This is the city. The North Pole. The original Christmas village. Santa City; the true tinsel town; call it what you will. A hundred thousand elves call it home. That’s right, elves. You know them as Santa’s toymakers. Happy souls making multitudes of Christmas presents. But no community can function on a single job alone. Some are doctors, lawyers, plumbers, all the jobs that keep a community functioning. And like any community, There are those who view life as one big setting of milk and cookies; take what you want.
That’s where I come in. My name’s Finby, I’m a cop.
Narrator: The following story is true. The names have been changed to protect the nice. And remember, all Suspects are presumed nice, until proven naughty, by the big guy’s list.
November 26
My partner, Joe Gappo, My boss is Captain Blick. We were working the night watch out of Major Case. It sucks since the nights are six months long.
“Guys, I want you to work security on the Giftbox Limited.”
The Captain looked worried. There’d been threats against the Giftbox Limited “No, it’s just a security run. Basic milk and cookies here Finby.” Whenever the big guy’s on the train, it’s codenamed Candy Cane 1. Threats against the big guy are taken very seriously. It’s a matter for Northland Security.
This, was a Peppermint Alert
“Uh, NO! Hello! Rail cop! Milk Run! Where’s this world you live in Finby? I don’t want to go there. Do you ever listen to the Captain?”
That’s my Partner Joe. He never sees the real dangers. That’s why I’m here. Anyway, Captain assigned us to protect Mr. C and a train loaded with donations the humans made. Some private railroad company spent the year collecting stuff that stores can’t sell for whatever reason and making them work. A non-magical Santa’s toyshop for Unwanted and Misfit items. Theirproudest was rescuing 3 dozen folding patio chairs from being pitched for being left in a storm. All were working again for no more than $5 a chair.
This train would then cover a multi state area dispersing of the collection to the needy. The Big Cookie wanted us to make sure the naughty list didn’t cause any problems.
Joe and I boarded the original Candy Cane 1 to head south. South is a relative term for us, since any one of eight directions is south. CC1 is a lot like Air Force 1. There’s a plane with the President, then there’s the Plane with the President. CC1 is a red and black train. Pulled by an F9, a former RPO carries the sleigh with open sides to be seen. The reindeer travel in a baggage car where the side doors can open with gates up to allow them fresh air. A bobber caboose also rides along with reindeer models in the coupola. The endeer herder elves use it as an office and equipment car. Behind it is the sleeper for us, and the observation car ends. Santa’s Private Quarters are at the end, and the lunch area and common rooms are between them and our car.
Candy Cane 1 departed on time. Every moment was peril, anything could’ve happened to the tracks. But it saved wear and tear on the Sleigh, and the reindeer. A safe trip, and we arrived a half hour early in a little town called Vernon. For the surprise, the host Railroad his us in a transfer yard. Donning my trenchcoat, I stepped out to make sure we weren’t vulnerable in the yard. But as I looked under the Polar Lights, I saw a figure walk briskly along the other side. I pointed to Joe, and raced around the back of the Observation to pin the snoop.
“Congrats Finby. You caught your first Railroad cop. But I must see your hunting license; I don’t think they’re in season yet.”
“You can never be too careful Joe.”
“Umm, could the whack job please let me go? I just wanted to see what Half-Moon had brought in, this is my jurisdiction, yes?”
I told him to beat it.
“Beat it”
“Finby, he works here.” Joe sighed. He must have been tired.
He didn’t know what was on board. Soon, a whistle caught my attention. A stand-in to the Polar Express run by Northern Enterprises was entering the area. Though normally a paid trip, today it was bringing some of the less fortunate down for the Christmas extravaganza free of charge. A Berkshire and 5 blue/grey and red cars swung through a switch and headed toward the former military base where it was to all start.
15 minutes later, a shorter branch line train consisting of a white combine and a former Santa Fe caboose, pulled by a tendered 0-6-0 arrived. On its tail from the other direction was a comparable train with a different scheme.
A safe rollby, nothing out of kilter on the train. Though that snooper was watching it l
/ike a hawk. I was afraid he was up to something. That was our que.
“FINBY! GET ON THE TRAIN!!! WE’RE LEAVING NOW!!”
I hurried on to the slowly moving train. As it should be, m assuring it’s safe to roll.
“Finby? Are you a conductor now too? Who are you talking to, anyway?”
Candy Cane 1 arrived in the Jefferson Grounds 20 minutes later to a large fanfare. People cheered Santa’s name. We were told to have our stuff packed. All the elves reported to the human office building to meet our crews. They handed out radios for train personel, covered safety, and the schedule. Outside, Santa Waved off the first of the Christmas trains. Known locally as the Shopper’s Special, the train heads North to the major malls in the capital city. A series of chartered buses take over from there. Those same busses covered the Black Friday morning, the train will take over the return trips as soon as it leaves this Noon.
Two toots on the horn and dashed away like the reindeer it’s named for: 9 Dasher 44.
The children laughed and played Christmas games, and adored the reindeer, loved Santa’s sleigh, and made crafts. Several porters switched our stuff from one Pullman to another.
An hour Later, another train was ready to leave. This one was a private cruise train bound for the Winter Festivities of Northern North America. Canada, Minnesota, Chicago to Wisconsin, all a 1.5 week crash course in the real North Pole. We stepped out of our meeting in time to see the North Pole and Southern leave Northbound. The only direction it can go. The gleaming white roofed red train was adorned with all kinds of Christmas carol names. But it was not my concern. My concern was next.
My concern was huge.
Five engines, stretched to their maxes on horsepower. Three Funits, rebuilt to modern horsepower. An AB set adorned with a mural of Santa fltying over a town would lead. Two GP38s were behind in red and silver, wishing a Happy Holidays on the side, with another F rebuild matching the Geeps was at the rear. Three support coaches, two baggage cars. Three gons loaded with large trees, a flat car with a Rockefeller Center sized Douglas tied down. A covered Hopper with North Pole sugar rode for looks, and an endless line of boxcars and refrigerator cars carried “the goods”.
Did I mention it was huge? Though Santa carried more, I could see the end of his sleigh. This train dwarfed many.
Our move was at 2, though everyone was ready to go at 1:30. The engine consist, and the coaches were backwards. Though it didn’t really matter.
There was 2pm. The engineer laid on the horn. The rain creaked and moaned. But we rolled.
“And Finby was on board this time”
“Who’s narrating this, Joe?”
“No one. Or is that who you’re talking too? An audience, is that it?”
Joe knows nothing.
The Giftbox Limited raced Eastward to the farthest point East o start it’s journey. There, the engines would take the other end of the train. The coaches were moved to the back with the observton deck oriented properly—at the back. It was an uneventful 14 hr trip. trip, something I rarely see.
“Do you even listen to yourself?”
The first offloading was rapid. Several stage crew from a local theater were tasked with getting the gifts off the train and getting the decorations up, namely Santa’s Chair. Crews were proud of how it went. We pulled out at 60mph three hours later.
20 minutes out; the engines were struggling to kep the ttrain rolling at all.
The trainmaster on board had a scanner out. I listened to get an idea about what was up.
-Dispatch, this is Extra 1999.
-Go Ahead
-I’m having power problems with 38B we can’t keep track speed.
-Copy. 1999 can’t keep track speed. I’m setting the line for ya. Can you limp a half mile? There’s a passing track that’ll hold ya.
-We’ll try it.
-Great. Dispatch to Watershed Maintence Facility
-Go Dispatch
-We’ve got one for ya, Im putting them on the mp187 passing track, they’ve got engine problems, and will be waiting for you on Mechaincs channel 1. Got that 1999?
-We copy.
Joe switched the channel.
-38B you said?
-Affirmative.
-Is the engine itself getting power?
-Checking that
-And are ypu reading power from 101, the other F unit?
-We think so, but not what we should.
-What’s the voltage?
-Low
-Real helpful guys…
- Sorry, here it is.
-Yeah, your missing quite a bit of power. When you guys get stopped, heck that 38B’s generator is running. Try smacking it with the rubber mallet in the hood if its not. We’ll be there in 20.
-copy.
Our train settled into the siding, the trainmaster on the back Observation calling the distance til we were clear of the switch. I hopped down to check on the rest of the train. They must have been meddled with. And we were helpless in the middle of nowhere, fields to all sides, no one coming for us.
“Finby! Maintenance crew! 20 minutes!”
I was the only authority standing between this trsin and certin crime.
“Whaddya want? We got Helicopters, snowmobiles, Farmers on tractors for Frosty’s sake!”
-1999 to Maintenance
-Shoot 99
-Well, we got the generator restarted, but the power’s not up to snuff. We’re checking 101 too.
-Sounds like plan. Say, what size is the hammer?
-Says on the handle, 32 freakin’ huge.
-THAT’S where that went. I wondered what happened to it. We’ve got one larger in the back, see you in 2.
In the distance I spotted a large truck coming. Tracing its trajectory, I beat feeted to the locomotives.
“And I let Finby do something brash and stupid, while I got a burger from the obs car”
A grease covered man stepped out of the truck. Seeing me, he flashed a stained railroad employee badge, He marched to the second of the hood engines, stuck his head in the hood, and announced triumphantly, “You have an electrical problem.”
-“No dip Sherlock.”
-“Looks like the cables are frayed where the MUs for the 38 join the lines connecting to 101.”
-“Can you fix it?”
-“Yes. But I’ll need tape and lots of Bubblegum.”
-“Bubblegum?”
-“Yes. Bubblegum”
-“Why?”
-“They served Tuna at the Café for lunch. I can’t get it off my breath.” We’ll get you some new wiring for your next stop. But this should get you there. Odd NRX didn’t catch it. Must’ve come undone on the run.”
The grease mokeys got us going again. We made two more stops on home territory, got the 38B fixed good, and sung onto Chessie tracks to make 6 more stops in two days before backtracking. 3 more hits, followed by a stint on a modernzed NYC, andthen it was HO&N trackage the rest of the way. Each stop Joe and I standing serious aside each flank of the train. The kids loved the Elf attire, and the black shades really set it off. At the City of Half-Moon, three freight cars and the coaches were cut off and shipped to Rock Valley. Even the boatride was serene. It truly was Christmas. And when the run was done a week later, altogether two and a half weeks from Black Friday, we returned to the Grounds an empty, but proud train.
For one more week, I was Finby, the elf cop. In a place that 100,000 volunteers call The City, The North Pole, the original Christmas Village, Santa City, the true tinsel town. From all walks of lives; some are doctors, lawyers, plumbers, all the jobs that keep a community functioning. And like any community, to keep Christmas functioning, we proudly step up and call ourselves Elves.
-Morgan
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Be safe and have fun!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
A peaceful Christmas and the best of health in the coming year to all of you and those you love!
Aikidomaster Christmas is just one week away!. Soon, the children and grandchildren will be gathered around the Christmas tree ready to unwrap presents. But let us all be thankful for what we have. Let us also not forget those who do not have as much. The spirit of Christmas should be celebrated everyday of the year and should include everyone.
Christmas is just one week away!. Soon, the children and grandchildren will be gathered around the Christmas tree ready to unwrap presents. But let us all be thankful for what we have. Let us also not forget those who do not have as much. The spirit of Christmas should be celebrated everyday of the year and should include everyone.
Well said, sir. Greetings and best wishes to you all from this side of the pond.
Dennis
ON Dasher, dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
OH NO we forgot Rudolf!
All of you have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.
Craig North Carolina
Best wishes to all for a wonderful Holiday Season! May the new year bring peace to all peoples!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
All the very best to you all from Encounter Bay South Australia. Stay safe in 2011.
David
That'll Do Me Nicely Lad. Aye, But That's No How You Make Porridge Jimmy.
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
A merrychristmas to sir madog from toronto canada and to all .rambo1..
Sir Madog All of a sudden it´s Christmas time:
All of a sudden it´s Christmas time:
gluckliche zu machen to you too!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Santa Claus has the right idea - visit people only once a year.Santa's elves are just a bunch of subordinate Clauses.
Claustrophobia: The fear of Santa Claus.
galaxy A little Early for Christmas, Way early For New Years, a little Late for Hannuka, and who knows what time Kwanza starts and ends? But Happy Holidays to all, however/whenever you celebrate it/them! May you all get lots of and maybe some and not have too much or before driving home froma par-tay!
A little Early for Christmas, Way early For New Years, a little Late for Hannuka, and who knows what time Kwanza starts and ends?
But Happy Holidays to all, however/whenever you celebrate it/them!
May you all get lots of and maybe some and not have too much or before driving home froma par-tay!
Maybe it's Festivus....
John
(P.S. Be sure to wear your hernia belt when demonstrating your feats of strength!)
Right now, a lot of we practising Roman Catholics are in the season of Advent, which is a time of preparation and reflection for the coming Nativity.
So for myself, I wish you all a very happy and joyous forthcoming celebration. In other words:
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
And so does Uff-Dah!
Of course, he celebrates Christmas a little differently from us, being a Norwegian Forest Cat, he goes out and looks for stray Lemmings to bring in for Christmas Dinner. No, not to EAT, just to share turkey with.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Danke, Herr Madog and the same to you and your family.
Faliz Navidad!
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
...and you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years, as well!!
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Same to you!!!