It was snowing when the train jumped its tracks.

And cold. Man, was it cold.

Thirty below. On Christmas Eve, 1917.

John Wyciskala and his section crew got called out to the site of the accident - just east of Braddock - to clean up the mess. They left their families and ventured into the cold, where they spent two days and a night on the job for the Soo Line Railroad. There was nothing but soup to eat that Christmas.

Wyciskala spent more than 50 years with the railroad, retiring in 1967. He represents the tough, self-sufficient men from the railroad's early days in the state. Wyciskala will be one of two such men inducted to the North Dakota Railroad Hall of Fame on Aug. 28.

The inductions will be part of Mandan Railroad Days at the State Railroad Museum. Events will run from 1 to 5 p.m.

The museum will be celebrating its 20th anniversary, and will serve cake at 2 p.m. Other activities include "The Great Train Robbery" by Mandan's Cowboy Action Performers at 3 p.m., a railroad photo contest and a skills competition.

The inductions take place at 4 p.m. The other man to be honored Aug. 28 is Frank Hoffman. Hoffman's career with the Northern Pacific Railway began in Mandan in 1938. He worked in the yard and as a conductor, becoming familiar with the terrain between Mandan and Glendive, Mont.

Hoffman was involved with the railroad museum from the beginning, serving on the board from its creation in 1985 until his death 10 years later.

Hoffman and Wyciskala will be the second and third inductees to the hall of fame. Elmer "Buck" Worthington, whose other nickname was "Mr. Railroad," was the inaugural inductee last year. Worthington was instrumental in getting the railroad museum started.

Other old-time railroad men will be on hand next weekend to tell stories and answer questions about what life was like on the line in days past. There also will be a live steam presentation by Ed Duke, of Hensler, and a gathering of railroad modelers. In the skills competition, participants can try their hands at spike driving, spike pulling, rail walking, rail-car moving, telegraphy and Morse code.

A "hobo banquet,"featuring hot dogs, brats and beans, will be served.

The museum is located in northwest Mandan. Take Interstate 94 to exit 152, and follow Old Red Trail to 37th Street. From there, follow the steam-engine signs.

(Reach reporter Tony Spilde at 250-8260 or tony.spilde@;bismarcktribune.com.)