Sometines I wonder what men are for

Suppose to be so intelligent and smart

Sometimes they do the darnest things

They always need a detailed chart.

What blueprints were these men using?

Tracks don't meet: so much off course

Arguments and all their blame

Boss man came with a plan to enforce.

I know a young railroad man

Model railroading is his hobby

He built a nice size modular table

It's on display in his shop's lobby.

Rails he laid to run two trains

A circle of track he laid cross town

So he could turn the trains around

And a crossover switch he did put down.

This railroad town was give a name

In honor of one we dearly love

Her homestead sits high on a hill

But round about town, Miss Calico drove.

He named this town, CALICO, TEXAS

Thru town, it has two one-way streets

All kinds of Stores, Police, School and Church

A Cemetery, Fire Department, a Frosty Bar Treat.

Of course, there is a train depot

In this little town called Calico

People come and go; as well as freight

Visit our town; you'll be all aglow.

Heavy triffic comes thru this little town

Big heavy haulers, these semi-trucks

Cars of all makes and colors pass

Sometimes a mishap: things go amuck.

Go out on the highway: to the river

Neighborhood houses and a working farm

By the river and into the tunnel

It has its beauty and also its charm.

A tunnel was made into the mountain

Mt. Shasta was that mountain's name

A huge mountain that stands alone

A real life beauty, I'll always claim.

This young man has many cars

Rolling stock of all different kinds

Steam and diesel engines with cabooses

All travel thru the mountain, none left behind.

There is a trolley overhead rail

The Calico Trolley leaves our downtown

Beyond the town: thru the countryside

Thru Shasta's Tunnel: to the waterfall's crown.

There is this lighthouse by the river

Close to where the waterfall is

There is the park for you to enjoy

Where lovers are know to steal a kiss.

Some of his rolling stock is new

But some of the pieces are rather old

One Christmas when he was just a tyke

He wanted a train: Santa obliged as he was told.

Everyone calls this man J.R.

I really do know this fine young man

For can't you see?  He is my son

Come!  Run trains!  That is the plan.

Bessi MelVina Carathers

August 5, 2000

The dedication of this little ditty has to be made to my son, Johnathan Remie,

who is a lover of Model Railroading, as well as the Real Trains.

Your Mother