It’s a snowy December 24th in Swansea, Ill., under the beautifully decorated tree at the home of Mark and Shirley Childress. Officials at the Southern Ry. decided to shift the 4-6-4 Hudson steam engine and tender usually assigned to passenger service over to freight duty. With residents of the tiny village Shirley set up with Department 56 Snow Village structures getting ready to celebrate after removing some of the snow that covered local streets, the crew of the Lionel No. 8702 steamer couldn’t complain too much about not being able to head up the crack Crescent Limited train. Sometimes, they understand, you do whatever is necessary to help get the job done in time for Christmas.
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