It wouldn't be Christmas without this jewel written by the late, 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."
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...
Switch on Ed!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Seems I've been 'Grinched' by the IT Gnome ???? [404 Forbidden]
Merry Christmas to all, and Mookie, and Johnnie D. as well !
Great! Who was Ed Blysard?
Worked for Houston Belt and Terminal and posted here for many years. Was a great source of knowledge and is sorely missed by many here. Passed away about 4 years ago.
JPS1 Great! Who was Ed Blysard?
Ed was a conductor/foreman for the Port Terminal Railroad Association at the Port of Houston, TX. He was a man of many talents. One of his specialties was wooden pens, each custom made. He also had made brake handles with wooden grips. I asked him about getting one once, but he was out of ALCO castings.
Ed was also a great writer, with several by-lines in Trains, and as is seen by the composition that leads this thread. He wrote another essay that I may post around New Years - it's a first person tear-jerker account from the railroad that helps us realize how a little humility and charity goes a long way.
His posts here on the forum were always witty and informative.
Sadly, Ed succumbed to cancer not long ago, leaving a wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters.
Thanks for posting Larry.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").
Ed was posting when I first joined this forum. I was drawn to his posts, and the personality they revealed. I wish I'd overlapped with him more.
Also spare a thought for the late Johnny Degges, aka Deggesty, who seemed like a fine gentleman.
Lithonia OperatorAlso spare a thought for the late Johnny Degges, aka Deggesty, who seemed like a fine gentleman.
I had the pleasure of meeting with him when he rode our railroad, and of dining with him that evening. Wonderful man.
Ed was also the de facto Rules Examiner for this forum. I always learned something when he posted the appropriate citation for some situation being hashed out on some thread. He would clarify the situation without making anybody feel like a complete idiot.
Tissue alert. I'll post his "stay humble" essay around New Years.
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