Woke up on Fathers day with a plkan in my head to suprise my boys. A 7 year old and a 21 month old, by taking them and Mommy to see Thomas the Tank Engine at WhiteWater Valley Railroad in Connersville, Indiana.
http://www.whitewatervalleyrr.org/
I was unable to get advanced tickets via Telephone or Internet (Highly advisable if you attend) And was going over hoping for an open slot.
We arrived around 1230pm Ohio Time (Indiana is still One hour BEHIND for right now) and had lunch at the local Wendy's (20 minute wait, Lots of familiy's). We left our vehicle at the edge of their parking lot and walked the two blocks towards Grand Central Station (GCS).
As we cross the first road, we see the unloading area. (speculation here) there seemed to be an arrangement with the High School and the WVRR about parking at the school and bussing families to the event. Nice facilites and friendly people. WAndered on in and seen an almost 2 story Air Blown Thomas Ballon thingy. Kids could walk up and look up, grab ahold, get pictures an such. The city of Connersville had the Local Fire dept. there with a radio controlled small fire truck on hand. Very cute and amusing.
Beside that was 2 or 3 Vendors with items like Pizza, Soda's etc. The a little tent called the Pumpkin Vine Express { PVX } ( might be Pumpkin Vallet Express ) this was an old lawn mower with 9 little hand made cars pulling kids around the facility. There was two of them running. I saw Lewisburg Historical Society on them. On the other side of PVX was the gift shop. A huge circus tent full of almost everything Thomas related and WVRR related. A Real must see.
Walked over towards the station and located the ticket Tent and was able to purchase tickets for $14.00 a person for a 25 minute ride. (Worth every penny) There was also the chance to purchase Caboose Train Tickets, snooze and u loose, we lost. Beside the tent was a sign for the New River Train and a Working Handcar Exihibit. We did not partake in this activity. Beside that was the Caboose train. (More later)
Between GCS and the ticket booth was a line for Pictures with Thomas. A little box was setup for the kids to get their photos and a digital photo as well. (Unknown about Digital, we did not partake in this) We worked our way into GCS and seen about 3 little tables set up with wooden Thomas that the kids could play with. Also on hand was a lot of history of the line, previous owners and about WVRR.
Outside was Tents set up for visiting Sir Topham Hat, Information, Ice Cream Booth, and Soda pop vendor. A little further down was the boarding tent. It was probally 2 coaches long and very comfortable. Further south was a snow cone vendor and on down the line was kids play area. Thomas train was parked besdie the loading area when not running. (more later)
Kids play area consisted of a Horse riding circle tent, Petting zoo with ducks, and small ponies ( others i did not see as well ) Also on hand was a blow Up Castle for kids to climb in and jump around. There was an "Imagination Station" Tent for Temp Tatto's drawing and coloring, small play area with plastic Thomas. Behind this was a Minutare Golf area.
Now on to the trains.
The caboose train had one of the New (to WVRR) Amheasrt engines on it. with 6 of their cabooses. AN EJ&E, several wooden B&O and WVRR. Intresting lineup.
The Thomas train had the NYC 9339 with 6 coaches (2 in old red scheme and 4 in Pullman Green) with Thomas facing North. Thomas is unpowered and need a little help from others.
Down in the yard they had most of their engines out for display as you rolled by. Easy to photograph. You would see all the cars in the yard and the Dearborn Tower.
Anybody wanting to spend some quality time with the family and have fun would have a great day.
Thomas will return this coming weekend: Friday June 24, Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26, 2005.
This will be the last chance this year.
Hurry while it lasts.
A GREAT time to be had by young and old.
Bill, friend but non member
http://www.whitewatervalleyrr.org/
I was unable to get advanced tickets via Telephone or Internet (Highly advisable if you attend) And was going over hoping for an open slot.
We arrived around 1230pm Ohio Time (Indiana is still One hour BEHIND for right now) and had lunch at the local Wendy's (20 minute wait, Lots of familiy's). We left our vehicle at the edge of their parking lot and walked the two blocks towards Grand Central Station (GCS).
As we cross the first road, we see the unloading area. (speculation here) there seemed to be an arrangement with the High School and the WVRR about parking at the school and bussing families to the event. Nice facilites and friendly people. WAndered on in and seen an almost 2 story Air Blown Thomas Ballon thingy. Kids could walk up and look up, grab ahold, get pictures an such. The city of Connersville had the Local Fire dept. there with a radio controlled small fire truck on hand. Very cute and amusing.
Beside that was 2 or 3 Vendors with items like Pizza, Soda's etc. The a little tent called the Pumpkin Vine Express { PVX } ( might be Pumpkin Vallet Express ) this was an old lawn mower with 9 little hand made cars pulling kids around the facility. There was two of them running. I saw Lewisburg Historical Society on them. On the other side of PVX was the gift shop. A huge circus tent full of almost everything Thomas related and WVRR related. A Real must see.
Walked over towards the station and located the ticket Tent and was able to purchase tickets for $14.00 a person for a 25 minute ride. (Worth every penny) There was also the chance to purchase Caboose Train Tickets, snooze and u loose, we lost. Beside the tent was a sign for the New River Train and a Working Handcar Exihibit. We did not partake in this activity. Beside that was the Caboose train. (More later)
Between GCS and the ticket booth was a line for Pictures with Thomas. A little box was setup for the kids to get their photos and a digital photo as well. (Unknown about Digital, we did not partake in this) We worked our way into GCS and seen about 3 little tables set up with wooden Thomas that the kids could play with. Also on hand was a lot of history of the line, previous owners and about WVRR.
Outside was Tents set up for visiting Sir Topham Hat, Information, Ice Cream Booth, and Soda pop vendor. A little further down was the boarding tent. It was probally 2 coaches long and very comfortable. Further south was a snow cone vendor and on down the line was kids play area. Thomas train was parked besdie the loading area when not running. (more later)
Kids play area consisted of a Horse riding circle tent, Petting zoo with ducks, and small ponies ( others i did not see as well ) Also on hand was a blow Up Castle for kids to climb in and jump around. There was an "Imagination Station" Tent for Temp Tatto's drawing and coloring, small play area with plastic Thomas. Behind this was a Minutare Golf area.
Now on to the trains.
The caboose train had one of the New (to WVRR) Amheasrt engines on it. with 6 of their cabooses. AN EJ&E, several wooden B&O and WVRR. Intresting lineup.
The Thomas train had the NYC 9339 with 6 coaches (2 in old red scheme and 4 in Pullman Green) with Thomas facing North. Thomas is unpowered and need a little help from others.
Down in the yard they had most of their engines out for display as you rolled by. Easy to photograph. You would see all the cars in the yard and the Dearborn Tower.
Anybody wanting to spend some quality time with the family and have fun would have a great day.
Thomas will return this coming weekend: Friday June 24, Saturday June 25 and Sunday June 26, 2005.
This will be the last chance this year.
Hurry while it lasts.
A GREAT time to be had by young and old.
Bill, friend but non member
