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Chatterbox Winter 2024-2025

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,324 posts
Chatterbox Winter 2024-2025
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, December 20, 2024 2:50 PM

Hope this works. Winter starts tomorrow.Good to have college boy home.Have some snow.The elevator in Hamler has some grain cars on the ground.tonight going to see how things go in South Bend.Tomorrow going to take my brother some Christmas goodies.Wonder if they will be singing Rocky Top after tomorrow night in Columbus.Time for supper.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,324 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 4:38 PM

The only White Christmas will be on Tv again this year. Matt is making a pie from scratch.No interference,pictures or giggling allowed in the kitchen.Have a Merry Christmas.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,025 posts
Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 6:29 PM

Time to dust off this classic by the great Ed Blysard:

 

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the yard,
All the switchmen were switching, some working quite hard.

The grips were all hung by the shanty with care,
In the hopes that a time slip would soon show up there.

The trainmasters were nestled, all snug in their beds,
While visions of test failures danced in their heads.

The hogger in his kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a sneakey quick nap.

When out in the yard there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from our motor to see "what's the matter?"

Away from the cab, I flew in a flash,
To line all the switches, and stop a bad crash.

The moon on the field of new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a worn out SD40, dragging eight old reindeer.

Run by an old hogger, who looked like St. Nick,
I knew in a moment, I had to act quick.

At yard speed the 40 down my lead he now came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

"To the top of the yard, we'll cross over them all,
Now drag away drag away, drag away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the top end the old 40 flew,
With a gon full of toys, and Saint Nicholas too!

And then in a twinkling, I heard an old horn,
Blowing for the brakes, soft and forlorn.

As I threw down my lantern and was turning around,
Down the old 40s steps the old hogger bound.

He was twitchy and wormy, from his head to his feet,
His yard list all folded and sorted, quite neat.

A bundle of time slips he had flung on his back,
He looked like a peddler opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
He filled all those grips, then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, to the seat box he rose,
He notched out his 40, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

 

 

LarryWhistling
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...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,025 posts
Posted by tree68 on Saturday, December 28, 2024 7:30 PM

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Had the Deshler cam running (as I usually do) just before 1 PM when I heard the fire siren.  Structure fire just west of the park, with smoke blowing over the park and downtown Deshler.  Apparently it was a garage, but the fire got into the nearby house as well.

LarryWhistling
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...

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