September 17, 2007

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  Andy 'driving' Thomas the Tank Engine

  
  Thomas the Tank Engine  
  in Denver Sept. 15-16 and 22-23
  for All Aboard Tour at Colorado Railroad Museum

  Our oldest son, Andy, lives in Denver and is involved with the Railroaders there. This weekend as a volunteer he had a chance to 'drive' the Thomas the Tank Engine. He said he wasn't really the 'engineer' since the diesel locomotive had the actual engineer at the controls. Being a bachelor he is adjusting to the idea that kids can be cute. I think his words from his email describes it best!
  

  "I got to be in the "driver's" seat in Thomas for a few trips yesterday at the museum.  "Thomas the Tank Engine" is a life size mock-up model that we push around the track with our diesel locomotive.  It looks real to the kids, but to us volunteers it is the "big blue dumpster".  The inside is square and echoes badly and feels like you are on the inside of a trash dumpster.  I was even on Channel 2 news for about 2 seconds last night.  You can't really tell it is me on the engine but I saw the news camera while I was waving out the window, so I know it's me   There was a few shots of the train going by and a short interview with one of the board of trustees.  I had my friend, Dick, take my picture with my camera to prove I was in there:)  Dick was also riding up in Thomas with me.  We took turns between waving/running the smoke machine/blowing the whistle/roasting in the sun on the fireman side and sitting in the shade/moving the eyes on the front with a lever/looking for track obstructions or people in the way on the engineer side.  I had fun and plan to go back after church today.  We also have Friday/Sat/Sun this upcoming weekend so I will show up as long as I don't get called in to work.  Guess I have to start liking kids   They aren't so bad.  Some are even pretty cute!"

  Sunday night he called us and shared this fun story. 
  A cute little girl and her mom came over to him after the ride was over.  The little girl said, "I have a present for Thomas." as she handed a gift wrapped box to Andy. "I'm 2 years old now, and I don't need these anymore. I want Thomas to have them."  She had given her prized collection, three Binkies!!! We're thinking her mom was pretty happy about this!

  ***** Since I don't have grandchildren I am not that familiar with Thomas the Tank engine though my girlfriend, Suzanne, clued me in since she's ridden on Thomas with her grandkids. So here is a link to the history of Thomas the Tank Engine. Kind of reminds me of Scuffy the Tugboat that we read to our kids.  I also found www.thomasandfriends.com is pretty neat.
  

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