1880’s Train

The 1880’s train was one of our most fun adventures!  It was such a neat experience!  This train was the setting of a John Wayne movie (I can’t remember which one) and more recently it was in a Big&Rich music video.

The kids were so excited!

The train travels back and forth between Hilly City and Keystone all day.  It only takes 15 minutes to drive by car but by train it was an hour.  On the way down we sat in a covered car.  It had neat stained glass windows, and was made of wood which creaked and cracked as we went along.

I don’t think Peanut understood that we were actually ON the train because every time she would look out the window she would get excited and point to the front of the train shouting, “Choo choo! Righ dere!”

She was pretty squirmy but did like looking out for animals.  We saw a bunch of deer, some turkeys, and a few pronghorn.

Bug and Boo sat on their own seat and took turns at the window.

Peanut took turns going back and forth between Mommy and Daddy.  And back. And forth. And back….

It’s a steam train, but also runs on diesel.  I’m not sure how all that works.

We had seen this cyclist at a few crossings and then a few minutes later the conductor explained that his name is Fred and he rides the 10 mile route almost every day, following the train.  We saw him over a dozen times at the different crossings, and the kids took to yelling out, “HI FRED!” every time. And every time he turned and waved to them.  He had to have been in his late 60’s but T said he saw him washing his sweaty face in the bathroom at the train station, so we think it was already his second time that day!

We grabbed a family picture before exiting the train.

Instead of making the 15 minute turn around we took a later train back so we could explore the town of Keystone on foot for a few hours.

The engine unhooks at each end, refills with water, and then goes around to the “back” of the train and pulls it the other way.  All the seat backs in the train slide so that you can make them face whichever direction the train is going.

Keystone had an old fashioned downtown with wooded porches and boardwalks. It was fun to see all the sights!  I also had to get a picture of T carrying around this oh-so-masculine purple Rapunzel backpack.  As a father of three girls it didn’t even phase him. Haha :)

The kids found this random rock and climbed all over it. :)

Sweet sisters!

We let the girls press a penny since it was only 51 cents.

I thought Peanut looked so cute peeking at me. :)

We tried to eat lunch at a local pizza place but it didn’t open until 12:30 so we settled for Subway.

Miss L found these birds on our walk back to the train station.

And Boo found a horse.

I played Skipbo with the kids while we waited in line for the train.  In a few minutes we heard it coming around the bend.

The engine was massive.  It was so neat to see it up close and watch those huge metal parts working together in tandem.

Boo said, “Look! Elephants!” and pointed to the tracks.  We didn’t know what she was talking about until we noticed these small pieces on the sides of the rails…

On the way back, since we knew the secret of the multi-direction-facing benches we pointed two together.  This time we sat in an open car.  The seats weren’t as comfortable but you could see a lot more.

The girls were all tired and soon were laying all over us. :)

The conductor pointed out all the spots of interest.  This was part of an old tin mine, if I remember correctly.

Peanut was so excited I had to keep a tight arm around her so she wouldn’t fall out!

Love this picture T got.

What a neat experience!  I would definitely recommend it!

Aaalllll Aboard! a