This isn't a Christmas story about trains. In fact, there is no trains in this story at all.
Its a personal story. One I think of every years since its happening. It also reminds me to think about those brave men and women, defending our freedoms, and can't be home to enjoy the holidays with their families. Family should be the most important thing for everyone. Especially this time of year.

December 24th, 1983.
I was stationed at Gieblestadt Army Airfield in the middle of nowhere Germany, with the 3rd Aviation Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. I was in an aviation intermediate repair company that supported two combat companies of AH1-S(MZ) Cobra attack helicopters. We had just spent all day replacing a rotor head on one of Bravo Company's birds. and I was beat.
After a quick Christmas Eve dinner at the mess hall, I headed back to my room at the barracks, kicked off my boots, and settled back watching AFN(Armed Forces Network). We had three man rooms, but there was only me and one other guy, and he got leave and was spending Christmas stateside with family and friends. I was going to be alone on Christmas Eve, but I had planned on calling home that night.
Before I could really start relaxing, a knock came at the door. At first I thought it was my buddy Jesse, from Minnesota, asking me if I wanted to go to the EM club for a couple of beers. It wasn't my friend, but the CQ (Charge of Quarters) runner.

"Top wants to see you."
"OK "I told him. "Gimme a couple of minutes"
I put on my boots, straightened out my uniform, and headed for the First Sergeants office. When I got there, another guy from my unit was sitting on Top's couch. I gave my "Spec Four Gagnier reporting as ordered" routine.

"Specialist Gagnier" Top began."Paulson here has guard duty tonight, but traditionally they celebrate on Christmas Eve. He's looking for someone to switch with. He's willing to take your duty tomorrow, if you take his tonight."
I knew he had his family in country, and also had a small daughter. Since I was single, and had no real palns for that night. How could I refuse?
"If you do this" Top continued "I'll give you a three day pass to use at your choosing."
"No. That's OK. I think he should be with his family tonight."
I dismissed myself and went down to the arms room to draw my weapon. Went up to my room grabbed my gear, and headed to the Guard shack. When I got there, I reported to the Sergeant Of the Guard, and drew airfield, second trick. Duty was Twenty four hours, divided by three tricks two on/four off.When second trick came up, they loaded us in a jeep and dropped us off at our assigned areas, where we re leaved first trick.
It was about 9:30 or so, I was half way thorugh my trick, when the lights of a Jeep headed up the ramp in my direction. Kinda early I thought. It was the Sergeant Of The Guard.
"Someone wants to see you" he told me.
Out of the jeep, came Paulson, his wife, and his daughter, who couldn't of been no more than five years old. In Paulson's wife's hand, I could see an aluminum foil covered plate. The little girl was hugging a thermos, like it was her favorite doll.
"We thought you could use some nice hot food, and some hot chocolate."
The girl walked up to me and hoisted up the thermos. I took the thermos from her, and before I could say "Thank-you", the little girl wrapped her arms around my legs and gave me a big hug. "Thank-you Mister" she said. I looked over at Paulson, who was smiling.
"This was actually her idea."
I was looking for approval from the SOG, but he had already retreated back into the Jeep. Everyone stood there in silence while I ate probably the best Christmas dinner I have ever had, before or since, on the hood of the Jeep. When I finished the meal I handed the empty plate and thermos back to Mrs Paulson. Wished everyone "Merry Christmas". Just before they all loaded up back in the Jeep, the little girl was whispering something in her mothers ear. Mrs Paulson said"She wants to give you a kiss, if that's alright"
I bent down to where she could reach me and she gave me a peck on the cheek, then another big hug. "Thank-you for letting my daddy be home tonight. Merry Christmas" She then bounded back to the Jeep. The SOG turned it around and they were gone. I stood there with a warm feeling, both from the hot chocolate, the food, and that I kept a family together on Christmas Eve.

Oh...And even though I didn't want the three day pass for what I did. First Sergeant still gave me one. One that I never used the rest of my tour in Germany. For I felt I didn't deserve one, for being unselfishon Christmas,

Well, here's a shot of me taken some years ago at a rather unfortunate trespasser incident on Conrail near Greensburg, PA. In the distance you can see several people standing at the site and I am on my way to releive the other officer. Naturally, I'm not even there yet and am getting calls from 'the boss' wanting to know everything! A local news media photog caught me from behind walking down the track while making a very important call.    

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday. May you all get everything on your list. I can't wait to see the pics of peoples holiday hauls.
I will be spending Christmas with my family, which means cleaning up wrapping paper all day long.

Matt

Hi everyone!
Sure is nice seeing the Ol’ Blue again!
Lots of old familiar faces here too!
Got an e-mail inviting me to check it out…Glad I found y’all (again)
I’ve taken a hiatus fom model railroading for the last year or so…I’ve retired from my day job, & I’ve been exploring some other interests, etc…
But I still have that 60 square foot HO layout under construction in the basement…it’s been on hold for a while, but I think the “retired life” may bring me back around to it eventually!
Good to see everyone! Good luck with the new site!
I’ll talk atcha soon!

-Drew-

Tonight's episode covered the Barnum and Baily circus train, at a length of one mile, the world's`longest privately owned train. Quite an interesting presentation.

Ok this is where all you lucky people get to look over my shoulder as I stumble through the construction of my new portable Z scale layout.

First up here are two pics showing the basic construction of the layout table.There is nothing fancy about it but it will be nice and sturdy.

First pic is of the table top. It is nothing more than a 1/4" plywood handy panel sanded one side.



The top will be covered with expanded polystyrene (you know "blueboard"). I haven't really decided what thickness yet though I am leaning toward 2" so I can get some decent below grade scenery.This will be surounded on all 4 sides by masonite.


Second pic is of the bottom,here I splurged some and bought a better grade of material.The framing is of premium grade wood that used to be called screen stock because that was the origonal intended use of this very stable and straight wood. The framework is attached to the plywood top with 1"drywall screws.



The trackplan is going to be pretty simple not much more than a single loop with a couple of sidings for good measure.Anyway now you've seen the start of it.

Lots of folks have been asking me how make those cool pics that I post.
Some ask why?

Well since my layout is in the attic, and with a sloped roof, I have no room for a backdrop. So instead of being embarrased by showing my models, with roof joists or cheesy wood paneling as a back drop, I Photoshop real life backgrounds into my pics. In my opinion, having my models, in front of real life backgrounds, make my models look real. And I've been known to fool some folks into thinking that they are real. Questions like, "Where was that taken?", or "I've never heard of the Southwick and Winsted..", or even better, "The New Haven wasn't even around to own an SD70(regarding my retro paints...But thats another story).

To start with, you need a good, photo editing program. You maybe able to do what I'm about to show you with the program that came with your digital camera, but they usually only give you enough tools to fix exposures, crop out unwanted portions.
I prefer using an aftermarket program, such as Corel, or what I use Microsoft Picture It v10. There is a couple that you can download for free from the internet. These programs have tools you can use for fixing your pictures, but also have extras, to cut out individual objects, add shapes and text to your pics, and even save in different formats, and pixel sizes.

I'm going to demostrate using the Picture It program.

The first is to take a picture of your model. Make sure that all the objects are sharp and in focus. I'm starting by using a picture of my S&W SD35 and GP38. You can see, that the raw picture the background is un interesting.(Click on pic to see larger)

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I'm boarding Amtrak in the morning, if it shows up before noon anyway, for a few weeks in the Northwest. I'm ticketed on 49, the Lakeshore Limited, to Chicago and 27, the Empire Builder, from there. My first train is currently running over two hours behind schedule across New York. If I get on the train and have power to watch DVDs on my computer at my seat I don't care how long it takes! Otherwise, it's going to be a long two days. We'll see where this adventure takes me... Anybody up for lunch at Chicago Union Station tomorrow?

~BS

I have a request for some of the Lionel guys.
In 1949 at the tender age of 6 my dad bought us an O gauge Lionel set for Christmas. It was not an inexpensive set. It came with an operating log car, operating milk car,and several other cars that I can't remember.
It was the full "O" with the tall track and bigger radius curves. It had a crossing gate and there were 2 remote switches, which might have come separately. The caboose was one of the PRR style.
It had a big steam locomotive with smoke and whistle and magnetraction. I can't remember the wheel arrangement.
Now I'm sure it was a standard set and I would like to see what was available so I could perhaps duplicate it for a Christmas train in the next few years.
Can anyone be of some help?
Charlie

I have noticed we are missing Spankybird. Has anyone tried to contact him?
I miss his pictures too.
Charlie