Show us the train ornaments on your Christmas tree.
This is the 2014 Official White House Christmas Ornament that honors President Warren G. Harding. It is a replica of “The Superb”, which was Harding’s private Pullman car, and also a replica of one of many steam locomotives used to pull “The Presidential Special”.
The included literature explains the connection:
“As a child, Harding dreamed of growing up and becoming an engineer. As President, he took over the helm of Alaska Railroad #618 for 51 minutes, during his famous transcontinental speaking and sightseeing tour called, ‘Voyage of Understanding’ … Unfortunately the train that carried him west at the beginning of his trip also carried his casket back east to Washington DC, following his sudden death from apoplexy or a stroke, in his room at the San Francisco Palace Hotel on August 2, 1923. His casket was elevated to allow mourners to see it through the windows of the Superb as the train passed through towns across the country. An estimated 3 million people paid their respects. Mrs. Harding later gave the white gloves the president wore while at the throttle to the engineer as a memento.”
Isn’t that Festive?!?
While the background story doesn’t exude Holiday cheer, the ornament is very Christmassy.
Emile
