Strange 1955 Ghost Train D.D.Teoli Jr. A.C.

Summary

Podcast Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Strange 1955 Ghost Train D.D.Teoli Jr. A.C.
Release Date: February 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, host Harolds Old Time Radio delves into a supernatural tale set against the backdrop of Connecticut's eerie legends. Narrated by Walter Gibson, a renowned author and expert on the supernatural, the story intertwines elements of mystery, romance, and the unexplained, reminiscent of the Golden Age of Radio storytelling.

The Legend of the Ghost Train

[00:02] Walter Gibson sets the stage with a chilling introduction:

"The story you're about to hear is true. But strange."

He introduces listeners to the haunting legend of the Ghost Train, an apparition that once roamed Connecticut's backroads, particularly known for its white cars that shimmered mysteriously under the night sky.

Christmas Eve Ride

[01:22] Bill Boland continues the narrative, recounting a Christmas Eve in the early 1950s:

"At the turn of the century, a train ran through Connecticut which local residents dubbed the Ghost Train."

Tom Lacey, the protagonist, is driving through Connecticut's secluded roads to spend Christmas with his fiancée, Lucille Rutledge. Accompanied by his dozing friend, Bill Boland, and Bill's dog, Spangles, Tom is uneasy about the treacherous roads.

Encounter with the Mysterious Girl

[02:07] The tension mounts as Lucille hears sleigh bells but sees no sleigh:

"Hey, that sounds like a sleigh. Where is it? ... but there's no sign of the sleigh either in front of us or behind us."

Suddenly, they spot a girl standing by the road, appearing lost and seeking a ride. Tom offers her a ride to his house, claiming urgency as her father is ill. Despite Lucille's confusion about the location, Tom confidently directs her with precise instructions.

Suspicious Behavior and Concern

[04:17] After the girl is dropped off, Lucille notices something amiss:

"There's somebody waiting for you in the porch, I think, with a lantern."

Tom introduces her brother, Leonard, which raises Lucille’s suspicions. Her inquiries lead to an unsettling revelation about Tom's strange behavior since that Christmas Eve, where both Tom and Lucille recall hearing a woman's voice during the fateful drive.

Revelation of the Supernatural

[05:13] Lucille confronts Bill about Tom's unusual demeanor:

"I can't help wondering what's happened to Tom. Do you have any idea?"

Bill reveals that Tom has been acting out of character, prompting Lucille to piece together the mystery. She recalls hearing "a woman's voice" in Tom's car, aligning with the legend of a ghostly apparition.

[08:20] The climax unfolds as Tom admits:

"I'm psychic."

He explains that the girl he picked up was Ethel Wyman, a spirit from around 1900 who perished in a tragic accident involving the Ghost Train. She had been attempting to reach her ailing father, mimicking the events of that ill-fated Christmas Eve.

Historical Context and Unexplained Phenomena

[10:59] Tom divulges the history behind the haunting:

"Back around 1900, a girl named Ethel Wyman was hurrying down this hill in a sleigh, trying to reach her father's sick bed before he died. And she was struck and killed here by the train that used to run on this line."

The covered bridge and the left fork in the road, essential to the encounter, no longer exist, adding layers to the supernatural mystery. The Great Hollow Reservoir now occupies the land where Ethel met her tragic end.

Conclusion and Aftermath

[12:20] Bill Boland reflects on the inexplicable aspects:

"Before reaching Ethel Wyman's home, Tom had taken a left fork at the bottom of Long Hill, then crossed a covered bridge. Retracing that route in daylight, he found that neither the fork in the road nor the bridge existed."

The episode concludes with the lingering questions about the unresolved mystery and the spectral presence that continues to haunt the roads each Christmas.

Notable Quotes

• Walter Gibson [00:02]: "The story you're about to hear is true. But strange."
• Tom Lacey [00:26]: "She was a beautiful girl with eyes like nothing a man has ever seen before."
• Lucille Rutledge [05:22]: "Well, now he's not being himself at all. He's quiet and you know, that's not at all like Tom."
• Tom Lacey [08:20]: "I'm psychic."
• Lucille Rutledge [11:26]: "Yeah, and it was painted all white, wasn't it?"
• Bill Boland [12:20]: "The road hadn't improved a bit."

Final Thoughts

This episode masterfully blends storytelling with supernatural lore, transporting listeners to a bygone era where radio was the primary medium for such tales. Through vivid descriptions, engaging dialogues, and a well-paced revelation of events, Harold's Old Time Radio offers an immersive experience that captivates both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Listeners are left pondering the mysteries of the Ghost Train and the enduring legacy of Ethel Wyman's tragic story, making this episode a memorable addition to the series' repertoire of strange and true supernatural tales.

Transcript

[Walter Gibson]

The story you're about to hear is true. But str.

[Tom Lacey]

On Christmas Eve, Tom, you picked up a girl on the road and didn't even tell me about it.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Oh, wait a minute, Lucille. How do.

[Tom Lacey]

She was a beautiful girl with eyes like nothing a man has ever seen before.

[Lucille Rutledge]

You've been talking to Bill and you.

[Tom Lacey]

End up at my house, walking around as though you weren't quite connected with this world.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Answer me. Have you been talking to Bill? Did he tell you about this?

[Tom Lacey]

I've talked with Bill, but he didn't tell me any part of this. And neither did anyone else. But I know. And I can tell you every detail of that ride.

[Lucille Rutledge]

How?

[Tom Lacey]

That's why you're out for this ride, darling. I'm gonna show you.

[Walter Gibson]

Strange true stories of the supernatural with your narrator, famous author, lecturer and expert on weird and unusual events, Walter Gibson.

[Bill Boland]

Thank you, Charles Woods. At the turn of the century, a train ran through Connecticut which local residents dubbed the Ghost Train. It was real enough at the time, but its white cars gave it a weird effect when seen through the night. In years to come, the term became even more appropriate. A few years ago, Tom Lacey was driving over back roads in Connecticut to spend Christmas with his fiance. In the rear seat, his friend Bill Boland was dozing comfortably along with his dog, Spangles. Tom didn't like the road very much.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Ah, we should have put on chains. It's pretty hard to hold this car down on these old high crowned roads. Hey, that sounds like a sleigh. Where is it? Gee, I wonder if there could be a side road running along here. Gosh, I can hear those bells as plain as day. But there's not a sign of the sleigh either in front of us or behind us. Well, I'd sure hate having to stop for while I'm going down this long hill. There's a train coming. It's an old steam train. Can't believe everything up here was diesel. There's no more bells. Mr. Sleigh must have stopped for the train. And I bet it.

[Tom Lacey]

Whoa.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Whoa. White cars. It's like a ghost train. That's funny. The seal didn't mention anything about railroad crossing in her direction. There's somebody in the road, I think. Yeah, it's a girl. She's only looking for a ride way out here. Well, there's somebody to talk to since Bill won't wake up. Hey, get in. You must be frozen standing out there. Here, here, I'll close the door for you. Well, where to, miss?

[Tom Lacey]

To my house in the valley. At the foot of the Long Hill Road. My father is ill. I must get to him right away. Right away.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Long Hill Road? I'm afraid I don't know where that is.

[Tom Lacey]

Take the first right down the hill. At the bottom, take the left fork across the covered bridge. It's the first house the other side of the river.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Okay. Take it easy. I'll get you there. Well, I guess this is the place. Miss?

[Tom Lacey]

Yes?

[Lucille Rutledge]

There's somebody waiting for you in the porch, I think, with a lantern.

[Tom Lacey]

My brother, Leonard.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Oh. Oh, wait a minute. Let me get the door sticks.

[Tom Lacey]

Thank you.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, wait a minute. You don't have to be in such a hurry, do you? I'd kind of like to see you again after Christmas.

[Tom Lacey]

I'm sure my father will be well. Good night.

[Bill Boland]

It was a gay Christmas at the home of Lucille Rutledge, Tom's fiance. But Tom, oddly enough, was more quiet than usual. Although Lucille worried a little, asking if he felt all right. Tom would not admit to anything being wrong. Finally, she got Bill Boland aside to ask a few pertinent questions.

[Tom Lacey]

Bill, will you talk to me for a minute?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Sure. Pick a subject.

[Tom Lacey]

I can't help wondering what's happened to Tom. Do you have any idea?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, I didn't know anything had happened to him.

[Tom Lacey]

Oh, well, now he's not being himself at all. He's quiet and you know, that's not at all like Tom.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Come to think of it. I guess that's right.

[Tom Lacey]

We haven't seen each other since Thanksgiving. Are you sure that he hasn't met another girl?

[Lucille Rutledge]

No, no, no.

[Bill Boland]

Look, he dragged me through every high.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Priced store on Fifth Avenue before we came up here. And he was like an anxious adolescent. Did I think you'd like this? Did I think you'd like that? Was it the right color? Does that sound like a guy who's got his mind on another girl?

[Tom Lacey]

No. And one of you certainly had good taste in presents, I must say. But just the same, he's been quiet and strained ever since he got here. So something must have happened. Tom. Bill, nothing happened along the road, did it?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, you can't prove it by me. I was asleep most of the way out here.

[Tom Lacey]

No, think hard.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Honest. Nothing. I. Well, I vaguely remember hearing Tom muttering to himself while he drove along, but I. And, well, you know, now that I think of it, I do seem to remember a woman's voice in there a couple of times. Of course, I thought I was dreaming.

[Tom Lacey]

Do you remember where you heard it?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Oh, I didn't even open my eyes all I know is we were going down a hill. We seem to have been going down.

[Bill Boland]

A hill the whole way up here.

[Tom Lacey]

It was a long hill. In other words. Now I know what's been the matter with Tom.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Wait a minute, Lucille. If there's anything I've said, I don't.

[Tom Lacey]

Want to get Rest easy, Bill, but tomorrow I'm going to take Tom out for a drive, and you're not invited along.

[Bill Boland]

The road hadn't improved a bit. Lucille insisted on going out for a drive with Tom. On the following day, she took the wheel, and as the car pulled out of the village, she said I should.

[Tom Lacey]

Be jealous, you know. Huh?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Yes.

[Tom Lacey]

You pick up a girl along the road, don't even tell me about it.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Wait a minute.

[Bill Boland]

Now.

[Tom Lacey]

She's a beautiful girl with eyes like nothing a man has ever seen before.

[Lucille Rutledge]

You've been talking to Bill, and you.

[Tom Lacey]

End up at my house, walking around as though you weren't, well, quite connected with this world.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Answer me. Have you been talking with Bill?

[Tom Lacey]

I've talked with Bill, yes, but he didn't tell me any of this.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, then how'd you know?

[Tom Lacey]

Aha. Ah, that's an admission that it's all true.

[Bill Boland]

Well, all right.

[Lucille Rutledge]

I picked up the girl. Yeah? Well, she was standing beside the road trying to flag a ride to her home. Yeah, well, it looked pretty cold out there, so I took her home.

[Tom Lacey]

Ah, but you wanted to see her again.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, I want.

[Walter Gibson]

Well.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, I. Look here. Was this kid a friend of yours?

[Tom Lacey]

No.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, how did you know all this?

[Tom Lacey]

I'm psychic.

[Bill Boland]

Oh, nonsense.

[Tom Lacey]

No, really, Tom. Why the stare? Ever since you got here, do you realize that you haven't looked me in the eyes once?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, I. Why, I didn't realize. I'm. I'm sorry. It won't happen again.

[Tom Lacey]

Yes, but what's your promise worth? How do I know it won't happen again?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Because I love you and I want to marry you. And you're the only girl in the world for me.

[Tom Lacey]

Well, that goes a long way toward getting you out of the doghouse.

[Lucille Rutledge]

That's good.

[Tom Lacey]

Now, if you can explain walking around with a dreamy countenance.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Well, you put your finger on it, all right. See that girl's eyes? They're what had me walking around in a trance. I just couldn't get them out of my mind.

[Tom Lacey]

All right, darling. Now I'll show you how. I happen to know all about it. Although this is an advantage that I really should keep.

[Lucille Rutledge]

By around about away.

[Bill Boland]

Lucille drove Tom to the long hill where unexplained things had started happening to him. Different. As it appeared in daylight, Tom could still recognize it, and he said so.

[Tom Lacey]

That's right, darling. See, now we're headed back toward my house on exactly the same road you took Christmas Eve. Do you remember hearing something around this point?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Yeah. Sleigh bells.

[Tom Lacey]

Did you see the sleigh?

[Lucille Rutledge]

No, that's what stuck me.

[Tom Lacey]

You didn't see the sleigh because it was traveling an old road that doesn't exist anymore. It used to run parallel to this one. At least partway down the hill. And then just about here, I should think, you started hearing a train whistle.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Yeah, I'm darned if I did.

[Bill Boland]

How did you know?

[Tom Lacey]

And when you came around this curve, you saw.

[Lucille Rutledge]

I saw a train, yes.

[Tom Lacey]

But now look, in the light of day, do you see any railroad crossing there?

[Lucille Rutledge]

No, there's not a sign of one. What? Was I out of my head?

[Tom Lacey]

No, darling, you were all right.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Look, look.

[Tom Lacey]

On either side of the road, you'll see the old railroad bed where the line used to run through here.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Yeah.

[Tom Lacey]

And right here is where you picked up the girl, isn't it?

[Lucille Rutledge]

Yeah. She was standing right over there by that rock.

[Tom Lacey]

Now, Tom, the reason I know exactly what happened is that it's happened before to other people down through the years. You see, back around 1900, a girl named Ethel Wyman was hurrying down this hill in a sleigh, trying to reach her father's sick bed before he died. And she was struck and killed here by the train that used to run on this line.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Yeah, and it was painted all white, wasn't it?

[Tom Lacey]

And every year at Christmas time, the scene is reenacted with the girl standing by the side of the road, trying to get a ride to her father's house. And everyone who has experienced it has made a point of reporting the girl's eyes. They were haunting.

[Lucille Rutledge]

Yeah, they certainly were. Well, so I picked up a ghost and took her home, huh? See, that'll be something to remember. Look, now, will you tell me why all this business about you being jealous?

[Tom Lacey]

Oh, well, it was just too good an opportunity, sweetheart. I just wanted to be sure that you never look at another girl again, no matter what kind of eyes she has.

[Bill Boland]

Thinking it over later, there was something that neither Tom nor Lucille could puzzle out. Before reaching Ethel Wyman's home, Tom had taken a left fork at the bottom of Long Hill, then crossed a covered bridge. Retracing that route in daylight, he found that neither the fork in the road nor. Nor the bridge existed. The road ended at an abutment. And beyond it lay Great Hollow Reservoir, built 40 years before.

[Walter Gibson]

Tune in at this same time for Walter Gibson, your expert on the supernatural. Stories of ghosts, of spirits, werewolves and voodoo. And each story you hear is true but strange, strange with Walter Gibson as your expert. Expert was directed by Bill Marshall. In the cast were Mary Patton and Hal Holbrook. This is Charles Wood speaking.