Making Christmas For Others

Each year, as the activities of the approaching holi­ day season build to a climax, I am impressed again by the fact that railroads and railroad people are very much a part of it all. his gratifying to realize, too, that the public recognizes the work of railroaders as necessary to the "making of Christmas".

As this is read, the task will be largely completed for this year. The mountainous stacks of Christmas mail, which only the railroads could hope to handle, will have been delivered. Weeks earlier the carloads of Christmas trees and Christmas merchandise went onto the sidings for distribu tion to the waiting public.

It is only a few days before Christmas that our rail­ road and others make their most appreciated contribu­ tion to the holiday season. They tak.e America h0111,e for Christmas.

Since the time when relatives ceased to live within a few miles of each other and the sleigh, or a horse and rig, could handle the job of transportation, the train has been traditional for holiday travel. It is always heart-warming to observe how much the cheerful atmosphere of the train and the happy, friendly manner of the train personnel add to the holiday spirit of the passengers. Many years from now, when today's chil­ dren recall that trip at Christmastime, they'll remember us.

Seeing all of this is to know that the railroads are a fundamental part of this season as we know it in America.

So it is that every member of the Family has again done his share to make it a joyous Christmas for others. It is my sincere wish that, in turn, each of you will also enjoy a Merry Christmas, and that the year ahead will bring happiness and contentment to you and those you love. 1'_-_-­

First engineer to pilot the new -Midwest westbound out of Savanna, III. was William Madison of the Iowa Division, shown in the cab on Oct. 30.

One of the most interesting pictures taken on "opening day" THE card attached to each of the dining was this one showing Vice President W. J. Whalen, Chief car and lounge car menus on the Over-, Mechanical Officer F. W. Bunce, and President J. P. Kiley as they watched the depart. land Streamliners as they made their initial nms over The Milwaukee Road on Oct. 30 stated, "You are taking part in what we believe is a significant 'first' in the history of rail transportation." The occasion was, likewise, a significant • • • FOR THE RECORD first for many Milwaukee Road men. The October and November issues of the Magazine carried a number of pic­ Milwaukee Road People Who tures of officers and employes who laid the groundwork and launched the serv­ Helped Launch the Streamliners ice, but space did not permit publishing all of the pictures. Others taken on that day are reproduced here to complete the record of a significant event.

Porter Louie Williamson, who has been in Milwaukee Road service II years, answers some questions for Airman 3/c Thomas G. McClary (on step) and Airman 3/c Lawrence Brown, as they board the dome coach on the ChaJleng·er, bound for Francis E. Warren Air Force Base at Cheyenne, Wyo. Pictures taken on the first day of the train's operation out of .

Members of the train crew on the Marion, la.-Chicago run of the ChalJenger-Midwest Hiawatha on Oct. 30, shown as they waited to board the train in Marion. Left to right: Flagman E. W. Fisher, Conductor A. E. Peterson, Brakeman J. A. Neff, and Baggageman C. C. O'Neill. This veteran Milwaukee Road crew staffed the cafe lounge car of the City of Los Angeles leaving Chica~o on Oct. 30. Left to right: Waiters George King, W. G, Gord'on, J. W. Jackson, and Ben Benton; and Steward C. J. McLeod.

December, 1955 3 Milwaukee Road To Carry 2,000 On Rose Bowl