Sunday, December 20, 2015

CRO: Chestnuts Roasting On

Sung to the tune of...Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire: 
Trackside Treasure and an open fire,
Laptop balanced on my knee,
Nice warm beverage surely helps to inspire,
My wife thinks I'm outta my tree!

Deep down, though, she knows, those CN, CP -
- VIA, GO dancin' 'cross the screen so bright,
Hubby railfan with his eyes all aglow
will stay up late to blog tonight.

Another post is on its way,
It happens once each six or seven days,
And every loyal reader's gonna see,
What I've been working on, beside my Christmas tree.

And so I'm flipping through my VIA sched-
yule trains of yesteryear, from 1 to 92,
Time to put both this 400th post and myself to bed,
"Merry Christmas to you!"
Merry Christmas to all Trackside Treasure's readers. Thanks also to my blog partners; Steve, John, Chris, Dave, Marc, George, Michael, Bernard, Matthieu, Robert, JD, and Oddblock Station Agent. When it comes to keeping Christmas classy, CP knew how to do it - Montreal's Windsor Station in 1986 (above). 

Thanks for your comments, suggestions, assistance and inspiration. 
After over seven years, this is still more fun than a barrel of elves. 
--Eric

Further, musically, may I suggest 'Children, Go Where I Send Thee' in this
Harmonious. Authentic. Powerful.
And, 'Do You Hear What I Hear' by the inimitable
Real. Soulful. Heavenly.
My e-Christmas calling card to you! Auxiliary crew checking out the derailment that they've travelled all the way from Toronto to clear up.
And thanks to readers for the Christmas greetings that are flowing in. Randy O'Brien of Niagara Falls sent a cool grain elevator-themed personalized posting: 
Winnipeg's Mark Perry sends a greeting featuring a diamond:
Mark has been sending out some cool classic Canadian photos:
Retired CN dispatcher Tim Ball gets the drift:
Prolific photographer profiles pastoral placement of CN GP-9 and SCL!
Saskatchewan snow country's Ken McCutcheon:
Oil-Electric blog partner Robert McDonald has trimmed the tree:
Confessions of a Train Geek blog partner Steve Boyko has snow - none here!
"E-card foam fad" from intrepid Cameron Applegath who travelled from the wilds of downtown Toronto to the wild west to snag this shot:
To the wilds of northern Ontario with Dave Shaw! Snowtastic!
And VIA from La Belle Province, merci a Bill Morrison!
Alberta heard from - Braedan Dunne and the CP Holiday Train at Lethbridge!
Ottawa's Ray Farand, Steel Passageways author:

8 comments:

Steve Boyko said...

Happy 400th post, and all the best of the season to you and your readers.

Eric said...

Thanks very much, Steve. That CRO in the title is just by coincidence, by the way.
Eric

Michael said...

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year. I can't wait for post 401!

Eric said...

Thanks for your kind comments, and have a great Christmas with family, Michael.

Just a thought - perhaps the 401st post could be a highway 401 pacing post! Seriously, I've got 36 posts in draft form in various stages of completion, so there will be lots coming down the tracks!

Eric

Zartok-35 said...

Merry Christmas, Eric!

Eric said...

Thanks, Elijah! Same to you! Hoping 2016 will be a supercontinental year to come!
Eric

Unknown said...

Hope you had a great Christmas Eric! And best wishes in the New Year!

Eric said...

Thanks! I'm enjoying some time off, Braedan. When I'm not snacking, or sampling gifted beers, I'm working on doing some secondary research for upcoming Trackside Treasure posts. And having a great time doing it!
Eric