sets Kitty’s story in the Belén, N.M., Harvey House (
www.belen-nm.gov/Community/Har- veyHouseBelen.htm). The influential School Library Journal
review of the book notes that, “Readers will feel connected to Kitty and her group of girl- friends and hope for their success.” Its sum- mary? “A fast and interesting read about a part of history of which many readers may be unaware.” Those of us who enjoy railroad history can multiply that summary, especial- ly the first half of it, by two. Why else would an aging railfan stay up late reading a young adult novel?
This Just In The 342-page “diary” is the creation of
Carolyn Meyer (
www.readcarolyn.com), a best-selling and award winning writer of books for children and young adults. Her 60 books include 20 that are historical fiction. Meyer, a resident of Albuquerque, N.M., the city once graced by Fred Harvey’s Alvarado restaurant and hotel, notes that she visited the sites of numerous other Harvey hotels and restaurants in researching this title. She
Released at deadline, Thomas & Friends: 70 Years of Friendship, a 27:25-minute Thom- as the Tank Engine documentary video, is available on YouTube at
www.youtube.com/ watch?v=tybp-vfYcXE. It celebrates this, the 70th year — and 19th television season — of the iconic little blue tank engine. Using the standard documentarian’s tools, mixing ac- tual scenes with archival images and the ob- servations of participants, the entertaining footage includes illustrations hand-drawn by the engine’s creator, the Reverend W(il- bert) Awdry, as well as pictures from the first books, rare glimpses of the earliest layout, television scenes once shot using a working model railroad, and insights into how today’s producers employ computer animation in the show’s production. Commentary from chil- dren around the world emphasize this icon’s
wide appeal. Scenes of the festivities associat- ed with the 70th Anniversary include footage of a cake being assembled in Australia that is a full-sized replica of Thomas. To illustrate “Day Out with Thomas,” the popular live-ac- tion event staged at railroad heritage sites ev- erywhere, the producers selected the Colora- do Railroad Museum and the Orange Empire Railway as settings To Editorialize Briefly: We should recog-
nize that it is not the literal trains that inspire the affection so clearly visible on the faces of the children here, although they may account for some of the awe. Rather, it is the various personalities the trains reflect (including that they wear faces), as well as plenty of action, real friendships, recognizable situations, and important lessons the stories illustrate, that make Thomas and his friends so popular. But in that, we who have a passion for preserving and interpreting railway heritage are present- ed with an invaluable gift merely because Aw- dry set this entire world on a railroad. I have long believed trains everywhere do their part to attract, fascinate, and, in this case at least, inspire children. The challenge for us, then, is to find ways to translate that early grip Thom- as has on youngsters into a sustained interest in and commitment to railway heritage pres- ervation and interpretation. I welcome learn- ing of things you have done or witnessed that — or even merely believe will —successfully continue the learning curve these children have entered as they move up the age scale. My contact information is below.
PLEASE SEND QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS on railroad dining, art, and other trackside treats to Jim Porterfi eld at P.O. Box 3041, Elkins, WV 26241, or email
onthemenu@railfan.com.
Some Things are Just Better Together!
Bacon and eggs. Batman and Robin. Doors and knobs. Some things just aren’t complete by themselves.
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WhiteRiverProductions 59
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