Let me take you back to Madison, Wisconsin in late November of 1966. The scene is at the Milwaukee Roads' West Washington Ave. depot. And the place is filled with hundreds of children and anxious parents. Folks are walking amongst one another exchanging greetings and Christmas cheer. Sipping hot chocolate while waiting for the arrival of a very special train. "The SANTA Express"
The Santa Express was an FP7 pulling 6 bi-level passenger cars that would make a round trip to the east to fetch that very special person to make the Christmas Season official. And it was our job as kids, to get it done. So when the train pulled into the station, you can just imagine the excitement that rippled through the throngs who were lucky enough to go.
Once on board, my face was pressed against the window for this was a train ride!! I was on the upper level, having a great view of things. We headed east and soon were crossing the CNW/Milwaukee diamond in, yes IN, lake Monona. The only place in the world where railroads cross at grade, in the middle of a lake. And then on through the mid-western countryside for what seemed like a hundred miles. Then we could feel the train slowing to a stop.
Excited voices filled the air........."Is that his sleigh?"....."I think I see him!!"......."THERE HE IS, SANTA!!!" And sure enough, the Jolly ole' Elf boarded the train and we lurched back towards the west and Madison.
On the way back, Santa made his way through every car and greeted all with warm Christmas greetings, and coloring books too!! After he finished our car, I returned to my gaze out the window, secretly wishing for the day when I would be an engineer. When we got back to Madison, we were heroes. Santa was safe and in town for the Christmas Season. Our mission a success. We could sleep easy now, at least some could. I was thinking about that day for a long time to come. And that beautiful yellow/gray F unit.........and the gleaming cars........and the other trains........and.....................
I don't model the Milwaukee but took up the CNW instead. Here is my version of the Santa Express heading west.
And the MadCoW tailcar says it all..............
Merry Christmas from our family to yours,
Johnny and Stacey
The Santa Express was an FP7 pulling 6 bi-level passenger cars that would make a round trip to the east to fetch that very special person to make the Christmas Season official. And it was our job as kids, to get it done. So when the train pulled into the station, you can just imagine the excitement that rippled through the throngs who were lucky enough to go.
Once on board, my face was pressed against the window for this was a train ride!! I was on the upper level, having a great view of things. We headed east and soon were crossing the CNW/Milwaukee diamond in, yes IN, lake Monona. The only place in the world where railroads cross at grade, in the middle of a lake. And then on through the mid-western countryside for what seemed like a hundred miles. Then we could feel the train slowing to a stop.
Excited voices filled the air........."Is that his sleigh?"....."I think I see him!!"......."THERE HE IS, SANTA!!!" And sure enough, the Jolly ole' Elf boarded the train and we lurched back towards the west and Madison.
On the way back, Santa made his way through every car and greeted all with warm Christmas greetings, and coloring books too!! After he finished our car, I returned to my gaze out the window, secretly wishing for the day when I would be an engineer. When we got back to Madison, we were heroes. Santa was safe and in town for the Christmas Season. Our mission a success. We could sleep easy now, at least some could. I was thinking about that day for a long time to come. And that beautiful yellow/gray F unit.........and the gleaming cars........and the other trains........and.....................
I don't model the Milwaukee but took up the CNW instead. Here is my version of the Santa Express heading west.
And the MadCoW tailcar says it all..............
Merry Christmas from our family to yours,
Johnny and Stacey
