A Sharathon 2005 Tale
by Garry Sutley

Once upon a time there was a little steam engine that pulled programs, CDs and audiotapes around at a radio station. His work was pleasant, although he sometimes complained that it was not very exciting. He had heard that there were other engines that did much more exciting work. Jobs like pulling cars of heavy, black coal from the deep mines of Pennsylvania, or hauling cars loaded with steel from the big plants in the city.

Sometimes when his work was done and he was sitting alone on his siding, just idling away some time, he dreamed of being involved in a great adventure that would really test his mettle. Deep in his boiler he knew that he could do a big job if only they would give him a chance, but every day the people who employed him asked him to do the same old things. 

Now these people were nice to him; in fact, he really enjoyed his work, mostly because of the people he worked with. His yard boss, Mark, was a tall pleasant fellow who knew lots about shuttling thing from place to place. He was the one that told him when to pull a song or a program into position in the long train of the broadcast day. Tom, the morning- shift engineer, arrived before daylight every morning, oilcan in hand. He was quiet, ate lots of carrots, and hardly ever got upset about anything. Little Nit was happy to blow his whistle to awaken folk for a new day when engineer Tom was at the throttle. 

Later each morning Engineer Karen took over. She did not have as much experience with radio trains as Tom or Mark, but was a quick learner who had become a very skilled operator. She was very kind, and liked to talk about flowers and cows and all sorts of pleasant things as she drove the little engine along the midday rails. 

The afternoon was one of Little Nit’s favorite shifts. There were two reasons for this. First because deep-voiced Engineer Charlie sat in his cab. Charlie loved trains. In fact most everybody knew that Charlie had a model train layout in his house, just so he never had to be far from a train! But the other reason Little Nit liked the afternoon was because sometimes Engineer Charlie brought “Alice” to work with him. “Alice” is what train folk call a “deadhead.” That’s somebody without specific duties on the train who is just along for the ride. But “deadhead” or not, “Alice” was really fun and Little Nit always enjoyed having her along. 

There were two other beams of sunlight in Little Nit’s usual weekday. Two short excursion runs to special destinations made by guest Engineers. Engineer Sandi came first with her daily run down memory lane. Her sweet manner and gift with words always made Little Nit feel loved and informed. Then tall, dark-haired, Engineer Dean brought his smiling face and voice aboard for his excursion into Kidland. Although he had to listen carefully to understand Dean’s Kiwi accent, Little Nit knew that Engineer Dean really enjoyed his time on the train.  

Thinking about Engineer Dean reminded Little Nit of another joyful thought. He remembered the many summertime trips he had made to Campland pulling cars filled with happy children. Upon their arrival at Camp K they were greeted by Captain Neil, the retired Navy man who skillfully guided the Camp through both peaceful and troubled seas. There too he saw Caretaker Chris who was always busy with some project to maintain or improve the property. Little Nit knew that they both worked hard to keep the Camp “shipshape” as Captain Neil would say.

Even on weekends Little Nit greeted a procession of engineers and pulled the train faithfully each day. Every Engineer that took the throttle brought his or her own special talent to the job. Karen and Dave and Chaz and Susan and Art and Pam. Each giving of their time and skills to keep the Gospel Railroad running. Little Nit was busy, but he really enjoyed his work.

Even so, Little Nit felt unsatisfied. Yes, he was busy, but he saw his task as routine, and he wanted to do something really significant. It seemed to him when he ran at top speed around the yard that his pistons made this sound: “I can’t do much, I can’t do much, I can’t do much.” He knew that he was making a contribution, but he wanted to do more, so he was pleased when Director Garry asked him to pull a long train up Sharathon Mountain.

Little Nit could hardly believe his ears. He was just a small switch engine, but he was being assigned the most important and most difficult run on the entire railroad. Only once each year was the trip up Sharathon Mountain attempted, and, when it was, everybody was paying attention. The Sharathon train was always a very long one made up of brightly painted cars decked out for the special occasion. The honor of pulling the Sharathon train was almost always given to a big, powerful engine that would not have to huff and puff its way up the mountain. The grade on that road was so steep that just thinking about it made Little Nit’s boiler feel weak.

But he remembered that long ago another little engine had faced a similar challenge, and had conquered his mountain to be forever remembered as “The Little Engine that Could.” While he was inspired by the story, he knew that Sharathon Mountain presented an even greater challenge, and deep in his boiler he was afraid that he might fail. And the more he thought about it, the more fearful he became. Without another source of strength he would most certainly fail.

He was well on the way to worrying himself into frenzy when “it” happened.  “It” was the thing that gave him hope that the job could be done. One of his engineers was reading from the Bible when Little Nit heard the words that brought comfort and confidence to the very core of his boiler. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) The words did not change Sharathon Mountain, it was still every bit as big, but when He thought about pulling the long train over the great hill a new excitement came over him, because Little Nit knew that he did not have to pull the load all alone. As he pushed and pulled his cars around the yard his pistons seemed to be saying something very much different than before. Instead of saying “I can’t do much, I can’t do much” like they used to, he heard them saying, With Christ I can! With Christ I can, With Christ I can.” So, merrily blowing his whistle, he went happily about his work, trusting that he would be given the strength he needed for the job that lay ahead, even Sharathon Mountain.

The long Sharathon train is being made ready for departure on October 4, 2005, for the three-day climb up Sharathon Mountain. Word has come down from headquarters that the track will be cleared of all other traffic and our train will have an express route straight to the finish. A gang of “gandy-dancers” has gone ahead to inspect the rails and make any needed repairs to the tracks, so that the Express can “highball it” all the way home. The tender is loaded with coal, there is plenty of water for the boiler, and the whistle is tuned for a victory celebration when we break over the top.

Little Nit was encouraged. He knew that with God’s help he could pull the long train up the high mountain, but he was also aware of the fact that God often uses His own people to do His work. He understood that the people of God must be obedient too. But Little Nit knew that God’s people are generous and kind, and that they want nothing more than to please their Lord. He believed that many of them would step forward in faith to help him conquer Sharathon Mountain, so he tooted his whistle to announce that he was ready to pull the longest train ever if it was filled with faithful and generous people. Yes, it was true, He was encouraged. He believed that just as Director Garry trusted him to do something really significant, that God was asking His people to do their very best too. And because Little Nit knew God’s people, he was sure that many of them would rise to the challenge.  

We invite you aboard for the historic ride. When we leave Cato Station it will be with every intention of completing the run. We are certain that it can be done for “with God all things are possible.” Even the things men say are impossible, for we can do all things through Christ. Will you attempt something great for God?

Join Little Nit’s happy chorus and sing along - "With Christ I can, with Christ I can, with Christ I can !!!"

ALL ABOARD!