My little boy, Samuel, loves trains. He is particularly fond of Thomas the Tank Engine. At the state fair last week we got to see a exhibit of model trains, old steam engines, etc..
It bought back memories from my childhood........so take a walk with me down memory lane.
When I was in 3rd grade, our school participated in the 100th anniversary of passenger trains in Tasmania. I am not sure if that was exactly what the anniversary was, but it was something to do with trains! We all got to ride on a steam train from Ulverstone to Launceston. It was an all day event, and was terribly exciting because we missed out on school for a day! We each also received a commemorative gold coin.
As we chugged along I remember at each railway crossing there were people lined up to wave as we steamed on past. When we reached Launceston we walked a short distance to the city park to have a picnic lunch. It was a fun place. There were monkeys exhibited in this park, so that made it even more interesting. The monkeys are no longer there, but the park is still beautiful and a lot of fun.
The trip back home seemed to take longer and wasn't as exciting, but I think it was one of the best field trips I had during my school years. Ever since this adventure, I have always enjoyed travelling by train.
My next train trip was with my Mum. We had been to visit my Auntie Lyn I think. We travelled from Burnie to Ulverstone. When I was deemed old enough, my friends and I would catch the train from Ulverstone to Devonport. The train station was a very short walk to the movie theatre and it saved my parents considerable time allowing us to do this. My friends and I were very sad when the passenger train service ended. It just wasn't cost effective to keep it going.
One of my favorite things about visiting England was riding the trains. When I lived in Perth, Western Australia, I also made use of the train service - as well as the buses. One of the places we will visit when we go back to Australia in June, is the Don Railway. It is a train museum, but they give rides, and that is an experience and a memory that I want my little boy to have.
If you want to share other people's walk down memory lane, click on the link at the top of my post.
Sally-Ann
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12 comments:
Exploring by train creates great memories...
When I was a child I rode the train with my family from Ohio to California and back. Several years later we rode from Ohio to Arizona. I love trains! Thanks for helping me remember some of my own memories of riding the rails!
Sally-Ann,
First of all I have to tell you, I woke up the other day and the first thing in my head was your blog name "Wombats in the Belfry". Isnt' that weird!? ha! It is such a clever blog title. :) I though that'd make you laugh.
Thanks for your post today. I've always wanted to ride on a passenger train. Sounds like such fun! The only trains I've ever been on are the ones at amusement parks and well, while they're great fun, they're just not the same! ha!
What a cool field trip...I always liked being able to have the day off from school for special trips.
I'm sure your son will love the trains. What an awesome experience that will be for him.
Train rides are such fun! I remember one of my first train rides was for a sunday school outing! We went to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. It was a great day. And you're right, a train ride is a great memory for a little boy!
That sounds like so much fun! I love passenger trains--they have this old fashioned, romantic feel to them. I've never actually been on one, but I've seen plenty of them in movies. heehee. :)
I'm sure your son is going to love being able to have those memories with passenger trains just like you do.
Have a good day!
--Abigail
Wow that was an awesome field trip
I enjoyed the train story. I have always wanted to take a train trip. My husband and I almost did plan a trip with his folks one time but it never worked out.
Your story revived those desires in me again. Maybe we will try it one day.
For sure the memory you shared was a happy one, and I am glad that you shared it with us.
I have ridden on a train a couple of times and it is fun. You see different countryside for sure! Thanks for sharing your memory with us. :)
That does sound like fun! I don't think I've ever been on a train before. I bet my girls would really like it too!
My daughter also loves Thomas and trains. There is actually an event called a Day Out with Thomas that we are planning on taking her to. I suppose that will be my first ever train ride.
It sounds like you really enjoy those rides, I bet your son will love them too!
What a lovely memory...and what fun! Your son will love it! I know my boys would. We live in a little railroad town, so many people travel here to watch trains. We don't always see the novelty in watching trains because we are so annoyed by waiting on them! But riding on a train is a different story! Both my boys have had the pleasure of a train ride when they were young and it was very exciting for them! Thanks for sharing this!
We love Thomas and his friends, too! Great memories of your 3rd grade field trip! Do you still have the gold coin in your possession? See you next week on WWalk!
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