All right listers...here's what you been waiting for to highlight your
Christmas Season
CHRISTMAS ON THE Q
James D. Christen circa 1955
With apologies to Clement Moore
Twas the night before Christmas and all over the
nation, not a transportation company was stirring
except at the Q station.
The mail bags were hung on the racks with care, knowing
the speedy Zephyrs soon would be there.
The passengers were nestled all snug in the b erths
while visions of the Burlington danced with mirth.
And me and my Q timetable and me and .....(woman's name)
had just settled down for a long night of Q ing.
When out on the Q platform there rose such a clatter
I sprang from my reclining Vista Dome seat to see
what was the matter. Away to the silver door I
flew like a flash and flung it open with a crash.
The moon on the side of the silver car's flank gave
a lustre to the equipment that could not be outranked
And then to my wondering eyes should appear, but 10,000
people with luggage and gear: all waiting to board
the train that to them was so dear.
Lead by a little man so lively and quick, I knew in a
moment, to wit, twas the Q's most ardent booster, Willis
Goldschmidt. *
More rapid than clearance cards his orders came and he
signalled and shouted and called them by name
Now Silver Dasher, now Silver Dancer, now 9900
and 9908, On silver Comet, on Silver Cupid and
Silver Bullet and Silver King.
To the top of the CTC speed limit, to the top of the
I.C.C. speed rule. Now roll away, roll away roll away Q.
So to the high iron the Zephyr flew and settled its self
to the two straight ribbons of steel owned by the Q
And then in a twinkle I heard down the track, a
huffing and puffing from some smoke stack. As I
peered out of the window along the flying track, I knew
in a moment, we were passing the MoPac**
And then in a twinkle, I heard down the aisle the
prancing and pawing of two railway enthusiasts.*** As I
drew my head and was turning to see, I soon knew twas
Pete and Ozzie****
Dressed in Hinchey***** suits from head to foot. Their
clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot, with
a bundle of timetables flung over their backs, I
knew the two railway enthusiasts were cracked. Their
eyes how they twinkled, their noses were red as a cherry.
They had just gotten a steam engine number and this
made them merry.
They were chubby and slim, right jolly old elfs, and I
laughed when I saw them in spite of myself. A snap
of the camera and a twist of their head gave me to know
the conductor had much to dread.
A stump of a pencil and a ragged notebook were used
for enthusiasts notes that they took.
Then the conductor came with a broad face and a
little round belly that shook when he laughed like
a bowl full of jelly.
He spoke not a word, but went right to work and
punched their tickets with a jerk. Then they asked
a question with a gaze and the conductor realized
it was two railway enthusiasts bound for the Narrow Gage.
He sprang from the stainless steel, Budd built, Vista
Dome, reclining seat car and to his crew gave a whistle
and they fled from the train like the down on a thistle.
But I heard the crew shout as they fled out of sight.
Happy Narrow Gaging tomorrow and good Q ing tonight.
* Willis Goldschmit..a yard clerk in St. Louis who worked for the Q and was
constantly bad mouthing the road and complaining about his job...I met him
for the first time at the St. Louis MOT at the 2002 Convention...He was one
of the tour guides.
**MoPac was Jim's most hated railroad since "They were in direct competition
with the Q " from Kansas City to Omaha.
***Railway Enthusiasts...A "far out" group of St. Louis railfans...I
belonged to this organization for a couple of years back in the 1950's...I
still have my membership button.
****James L. Ozment...now retired DRGW Division engineer and author of
TRACKSIDE AROUND St. LOUIS and other books.
*****Paul Hinchey, was one of the most "far out" members of the St. Louis
Railway Enthusiasts..he was noted for his outlandish clothing get ups.
The above presented by J. Pete Hedgpeth against the express personal wishes
of Jim Christen and hence at great personal risk and peril....However siting
the "greater good" in preserving for the Historical Record in the BRHS
archives this historic document, I felt that it must be done.
Bob Campbell, I'm relying on you to make a special run to 626 Morningside
Drive with this document or cause the resident of said address to run extra
to your place to make the pick up.
Pete
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