| On a cold, Christmas Eve, Santa Fe 3759, a 4-8-4 Northern built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, pulls the second section of the “Grand Canyon Limited” to a stop on the main line in front of the depot at “Johnstown”, New Mexico. Waiting to depart eastbound is the Santa Fe 3707, a 4-8-2 Mountain, which is pulling the second section of “The Chief”. Ahead of the 3707 lies Cerrillos, New Mexico, (milepost 852, elevation 5688 feet), and past Cerrillos, the 1.2 percent grade of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. When the 3759 completes its station stop and departs westbound, the pre-Christmas passenger train rush will be over at Johnstown, and the station clerk will lock the passenger station doors for the evening. Driving his blue, 1942 Chevrolet down the street to the local church, the station clerk will meet his family for the Christmas Eve service, and then head home for Christmas. |
| “Home for Christmas” was painted for my parents, who retired to New Mexico, and given to them as a Christmas gift. “Johnstown” is named after my father, John Sr., and though a fictitious place, it is based upon the town of Waldo, New Mexico (milepost 855, elevation 5612 feet). Waldo is located west of Lamy, New Mexico, on the Albuquerque to Raton main line. |
