Downeaster207
A Mainer in the Midwest
December 24th 1986, Dead Creek Maine. All is quite along Main St as the late December snow falls in time for Christmas. Business's are all closed, local children have been on their best behavior, and a general sense of Peace on Earth has fallen over Franklin County. The pastor of the local congregation begins to prepare for the late night sermon he will deliver on this eve of the birth of our lord and savoir. Those who spend this holiday alone find themselves at Little 4's Tavern on Water St. just down the hill from the tracks. There they find good company and good ale to usher in the holiday. A rookie Sherriff Deputy who ended up working on this night pulls over to play with a group of children. A little girl amongst the group is worried Santa won't be safe tonight and someone will try to steal all the gifts before Santa delivers them. The deputy assures her he won't let that happen, but this County is big and he's just one guy so he will need some help. With a official Sherriff's Star the little girl will make sure no one messes with Santa and she'll watch over the community tonight as the Deputy patrols the vast corners of his jurisdiction. A low horn blows from the West signaling the end of the Holiday Shift at the paper mill. Tired workers trying to make ends meet during the holiday season shuffle out to their cars and begin to drive home to their families. But not all who work on this night are done yet. The silence of the community is broken more abruptly by the flashing of lights and ringing of bells. A blinding light appears through the falling snow. Another horn, this one much louder and much more important sounds off piercing through the evening air. The last train on the line tonight continues its final leg toward job completion. The Guilford Rail GP38 still wearing Maine Central colors approaches the Route 27 crossing at the bottom of Main St. The train had just come from the Dead Creek North Paper Mill on its final service for the next few days. Train 251 slowly creeps up Main St with just a few boxcars attached and three empty woodchip cars on the rear. This agonizingly slow portion of track drives the anxious crew crazy as they'd rather just be home. 251 will head up to Vile's Yard (Now Carrabassett Yard) where the crew from there will begin the long drive south back to Eustis to be with their Families. The consist will be dropped off and left for the morning, same for the train. Of course after its secured for the night and everything. Though 10mph is slow it doesn't take long for the short train to clear the crossing at the top of the hill, and as quickly as the train came it leaves. It crosses the North Branch Dead River and fades into the night, snow consuming the sound of idling Diesel. As the town transitions back into serenity a new sound can be heard, the hum of silent night as church goers begin to entire the town to bring in Christmas. I would like to take this moment to wish you all a very Safe and Very Merry Christmas. Hope you all have a great day and I hope see you all soon in the new year!
[/IMG]
[/URL]
Oh and before I forget the MEC GP38 is not yet released. My good friend Southern1581 will have it up on NARM sometime soon. No exact date yet. Probably for the new year
[/IMG]
Oh and before I forget the MEC GP38 is not yet released. My good friend Southern1581 will have it up on NARM sometime soon. No exact date yet. Probably for the new year
Last edited: