Steve's Train

10-15-53 Letter

I came across this letter recently from Mary Grace to Vala.

Dear Folks –

We received your letter yesterday and discussed the bicycle last night after Ray came home from work. We thought we would rather he not have it this year. If he doesn’t have a bicycle he won’t be tempted to go in the street. I’m sure you meant a small one like Diana Haines’, but even that is tempting when children like Connie Jo Savage ride theirs in the street. [I knew the Savages, Connie and Bonnie, had bad reputations, but I didn't think it began with how they rode their bicycles.]

We are getting him a scooter and a tinker toy wonder set so far. Gussie is getting him a new jacket and shoes. I don’t have any suggestions, but what was already planned. Don’t you want to come up before three on his birthday so you can see his party? It will all be in the basement so if you didn’t want to go down, you could just sit upstairs. Also you could help with the refreshments.

    If you look closely, you can see Vala passing out drinks so she must have decided to help out.

We are ordering Steve’s train through Thompson’s. Since you are getting to pay half I thought you should know what it is. The Lionel trains are just too expensive and Ray thought Steve would rather have a train that was not quite so complicated to run. The one we are getting, he won’t have to do much but push the buttons, but in later years he can add more complicated equipment. Since he wanted a diesel passenger it sort of put us in the high price field. Here’s the description. The Silver Comet ** Four unit diesel passenger:

Long and Sleek Diesel “A” unit with remote control and headlight: powerful worm drive motor: starts, stops and reverses by remote control. Authentically detailed streamlined cars in silver finish, interior illumination and knuckle couplers; uncouple electrically by remote action. Set measures 4 ft 6 in long; track forms 140 in oval. Includes No. 2 underwriters’ approved 75 watt transformer and illustrated train book. Set includes:

1diesel	12 curved track
1 baggage and club car	2 straight track
1 vista dome car	14 track locks
1 lounge and observation car	1 uncoupler
	1 lock-on terminal

I’m also buying him a highway signal light and tunnel.

The train retails at $42.50 and we can get it for 28.34 which means that we will each pay $14.18 for the train. Don’t send me the money because I won’t know for sure if they don’t have some extra charges on that. You understand this is for Christmas don’t you. It’s just that they like to have the order early.

Ray gets to cover part of Eisenhower today and is not going to have to do the American Royal after all so he went off to work very pleased. He will not be home for supper either tonight or tomorrow night.

Did I tell you I gave Sally bangs again?

Love Mary G.

You saved Ray’s life when you sent the stickers. He has forgotten to bring them every night and we were ready to skin him alive.