I was able to take the family (yes,we have a minivan) down to Chehalis, Washington a couple of weeks ago for a ride "behind" Thomas. There he was in his blue unpowered 0-6-0 glory on a very hot summer afternoon. Thank heavens there was a Mike on the far end pushing and pulling. But as you can guess the kids didn't give a darn. They thought it was great. I'm not sure this little blue character will be our redeemer all by himself, but I was astounded at the number and reaction of the children and parents. Way to go, Thomas - and thank you Chehalis-Centralia Railroad. We had a ball.

shawsinoly@aol.com

Spent yesterday on the L&WV Lorain County Fair train. Loading and unloading is done near the main fairgrounds entrance so the E-unit is "right there". Without fail 90% of the young children were jumping up and down and quite excited by the locomotive while maybe 25% of the adults noticed. I can just imagine what the reaction would be with a Thomas sitting there! Well over 150,000 people will visit the fair this week and maybe 1000 will ride the train ... sound like some marketing plan is needed ?


lamontdc@adelphia.net

Did they do up the whole event with costumed characters? Seem to remember one lanky gent in a red cap with white polka dots...

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> Spent yesterday on the L&WV Lorain
> County Fair train. Loading and unloading is
> done near the main fairgrounds entrance so
> the E-unit is "right there".
> Without fail 90% of the young children were
> jumping up and down and quite excited by the
> locomotive while maybe 25% of the adults
> noticed. I can just imagine what the
> reaction would be with a Thomas sitting
> there! Well over 150,000 people will visit
> the fair this week and maybe 1000 will ride
> the train ... sound like some marketing plan
> is needed ?

Maybe next year see if you can work a deal with Fair officials to bump the price of admission to include a train ride, and figure out how much of the admission the train gets...Figure it so the fair people make a little, cause not everyone will want the ride even if its included. A Win Win situation. Run short roundtrips of 15-20 minutes.
Greg Scholl

sales@gregschollvideo.com

> Did they do up the whole event with costumed
> characters? Seem to remember one lanky gent
> in a red cap with white polka dots...

> Dave

Dave:

Yes! Sir Topham Hat was in attendance but I'm sure was cooking in his costume. Thomas' "driver" was in overalls and a red hat. He was a hit with the kids and tooted a little whistle fixed up on Thomas. There was also some "smoke" coming out of the stack.

shawsinoly@aol.com

>Did they do up the whole event with costumed
>characters? Seem to remember one lanky gent
>in a red cap with white polka dots...

The "lanky gent in a cromer cap" may have been the owner of the 2-8-2, Harold Borevic (sp?). That sounds like his usual attire when running the train ... with the machete handy in the cab window sash for trimming overhanging limbs no less!

Jeff

jbsaxton@aol.com