Closet Train Enthusiast

From the ages of 2 to 5 Addison was all trains all the time.  We had other toys and played with other things but 95% of the time he was playing Thomas, watching Thomas, watching model trains on YouTube, building up and tearing down tracks all over the house.  I thought surely he would someday have a career on the railroad.  Then one day he announced that he “wasn’t really into trains anymore.”  He had moved on to space and building marble and domino runs and other “big kid” endeavors.  It was a sad day.  Later that afternoon I found Thomas hiding under the bed.  His eyes were all red and puffy like he had been crying.  We consoled each other with the knowledge that it wouldn’t be long before Harry was old enough to play with him.

Last weekend the library had a model train show.  It’s an annual thing, small but free and fun.  Addison and I went and I could tell that deep down inside he still loves trains.    He bounced around the room from one set to the next, driving the trains and taking video on my camera.  He stood with his hands clasped behind his back while watching the tiny trains make their way around their tiny towns.  No need for the vigilant mommy radar looking for a little hand about to grab the train as it thundered past.  He’s a big kid now and knows how it all works…or so he thinks.  He asked when he would be able to get a real model train.  “Someday when you’re older and know how to take care of them” was my reply.

I know, I know…I need to get his hair cut.  I’m on it.

If you have a little train enthusiast and you’re in central Oklahoma check out these fun train events:

• Day Out With Thomas – Sept. 23, 24, 25, 30 & Oct. 1, 2 at the Oklahoma Railway Museum
• OKC Train Show – December 3 & 4 at the OKC Fairgrounds.  Admission tickets are only $8 and children under 12 are free!
• Rose State College Train show – September 17.  $4 for adults, children under 12 are free!
• On the weekends a model train club has a set up at Crossroads mall.  It’s free and open to the public.  Just some old train dudes doing their train thing.  It’s in an empty store near the carousel (I think).
• The Heartland Flyer goes from OKC to Ft. Worth everyday with many stops in between.  We have taken Addison from Norman to Pauls Valley a few times.  The way we do it is one adult goes on the train while another drives to Pauls Valley to pick up the passengers.  It’s just long enough to get the exciting train experience but not too long to loose his attention.  There is also a Toy Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley that is worth checking out.

If you have more train activity suggestions I would love to hear them!