It is Christmas Eve 2019, and an appropriate time to post some facvorite Railroad related stories!
Apparently, the Community Search function is in the grasp of The Grinch this year! So I am going to post a favorite tale of mine, and it comes from the site of the Montana Town of Fort Benton, Montana. One time on the Northern Pacific RR.
Linked @ http://www.fortbenton.com/shep.html
"The Story of Shep" and Fort Benton
"...During the summer of 1936 a sheepherder fell ill while tending his flock and was brought to the St. Clare Hospital in Fort Benton, Montana. A nondescript sheep dog had followed the herder into town and soon set up a vigil at the hospital's door. A kind hearted nun who ran the hospital kitchen fed the dog during those few days before the man died. The herder's family in the East requested that his body be sent back home. On that August day the undertaker put the body on the east-bound train for shipment to his waiting relatives. As the gurney was rolled out onto the platform, a big gaunt shepherd dog with watchful eyes appeared out of nowhere and watched as the casket was loaded into the baggage car. Attendants later recalled the dog whining as the door slammed shut and the engine slowly started to pull away from the station, then head down, turning and trotting down the tracks. On that day the dog, later named Shep, began a five-and-a-half year vigil that was only broken by his death.
Day after day, meeting four trains daily, Shep became a fixture on the platform. He eyed each passenger hopefully, and was often chased off as a mongrel but never completely discouraged. Neither the heat of summer days nor the bitter Montana winter days prevented Shep from meeting the next train. As Shep's fame spread, people came from everywhere to see him, to photograph him, and to try and make friends and possibly adopt him. All of the attention was somewhat unwelcome; after checking the train he often retired quickly to get away from those who came to see him. Most people missed the point that Shep was a one-man dog. The bond he had formed with the herder many years before was simply the most important thing is his life. Food, shelter and attention were now provided by the railroad employees. That was all he wanted, except his master's return. Shep was an older dog when he came to the station house in Fort Benton. Throughout his vigil the long nights under the platform and the cold winter had taken their toll. Stiff-legged and hard of hearing, Shep failed to hear old 235 as it rolled into the station at 10:17 that cold winter morning. He turned to look when the engine was almost upon him, moved to get out of the way, and slipped on the icy rails. Shep's long vigil had ended.."
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In the past, at some point Ed Blysard would post his tale of "...Christmas Eve in the Rail yard..." This year Ed is enjoying his eternal reward....
And since the IT Grinch has captured the Community Search function.....
Possibly, someone else can provide his posting?
Merry Christmas,All and a Happy New Year !
Merry Christmas to you.
samfp1943In the past, at some point Ed Blysard would post his tale of "...Christmas Eve in the Rail yard..." This year Ed is enjoying his eternal reward....
I've posted not one, but two of Ed's pieces on the Chatterbox thread. Enjoy, and bring a hanky.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Merry Christmas to you and yours Sam! And "Semper Fi!"
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
[quote user="tree68"]
samfp1943
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THANKS ! Larry (tree68)
I really needed them
[Been sort of a sad end of the year here...Loss of old friends, and old dogs.]
Merry Christmas and happy new year.
Happy Holidays seems to be the Politicaly Correct salutation these days...Its Merry Christmass..I dont trust anyone who does not celibrate or reconize Christmass or does not drink.
Well put divebardave! Churchill and Roosevelt drank AND smoked and they won the war!
Adolf didn't do either and look what happened to his side!
OK, Stalin smoked and drank too, but I hesistate to mention him, he wasn't exactly Mr. Nice Guy either.
divebardaveHappy Holidays seems to be the Politically Correct salutation these days..
Only amongst those who want to stir up trouble.
Besides, Happy Holidays was perfectly acceptable fifty years ago, and more. It's only controversial because someone decided it should be.
Season-wide, Happy Holidays is fine. Today, it's Merry Christmas.
Hope everyone got what they were wishing for under the tree.
Merry Christmas to all! I hope your day is special and significant.Peace and love!
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Merry Christmas to all!
A white Christmas was said to be possible here--but the snowplow drivers in the valley are happy; they can spend the day with their families. Four years ago, my daughter cleared the driveway and sidewalks (side and front), and I cleared them early in the afternoon. Two or three years ago, there was even more snow.
Johnny
Merry Christmas to all.
Bruce
So shovel the coal, let this rattler roll.
"A Train is a Place Going Somewhere" CP Rail Public Timetable
"O. S. Irricana"
. . . __ . ______
Merry Christmas to everyone. And Happy Birthday to a couple of fellow December birthday people who are no longer with us- Ed Blysard & Mookie.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Flintlock76 Well put divebardave! Churchill and Roosevelt drank AND smoked and they won the war! Adolf didn't do either and look what happened to his side! OK, Stalin smoked and drank too, but I hesistate to mention him, he wasn't exactly Mr. Nice Guy either.
It is true that we sent supplies to the Soviets because we had a common enemy. However, it seems to me to be stretch to say "Stalin was our side." If he had been able, he would have sent his troops to the western shore of Europe.
Deggesty It is true that we sent supplies to the Soviets because we had a common enemy. However, it seems to me to be stretch to say "Stalin was our side." If he had been able, he would have sent his troops to the western shore of Europe.
"If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons."-Winston Churchill
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