Trainfest!

In November we took advantage of the fact that Trainfest (billed as "America's Largest Operating Model Railroad Show") takes place in Milwaukee annually. Jonah LOVES trains, so we thought it would be a fun activity for him, and we could have some fun as well.

The event takes place at the Wisconsin Exposition Center on the State Fairgrounds. When we arrived, we were a little surprised to be directed to the Milwaukee Mile (the race track). We got to drive on the track a little, it was fun to put the speed on a bit and pretend to race before we were directed to the infield. We weren't sure how far it was going to be to get to the Expo Center. They were running hay rides to there, but were weren't sure we could get the stroller on it so we walked. It turns out that it would have taken more time to ride the wagon behind the tractor than it took us to walk.

When we got there, we needed to get tickets, and Jude needed to nurse. Jonah and I went in while Jude and Michelle finished in the lobby.

Jonah was mesmerized from the first moment he caught sight of a train moving on tracks. We spent time at a number of different models. Jonah even got to work the controls on one train. Michelle and Jude caught up with us at a large floor model with Thomas the Tank Engine and an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Beyond this, it is probably enough to say, we had a great time, though that time was limited when we got hungry. It is best left explained by pictures from here.

Jonah takes in the first exhibit we visited.

Driving a train!

"Orange caboose!"

Thomas and Percy

My bologna has a first name...

One of the trains we saw.

Checking out the train as it goes over the bridge from underneath.

Jonah tries on his new engineer hat.

Watching a Christmas train with Mommy.

Jude slept the entire time.

More pictures are available in our family album. One thing we recommend and want to remember in the future is to bring a stool Jonah can carry around to stand on to see some of the higher tables a little better.

All Fun and Games Until the Second Lap

The Easter egg hunt we participated in in Ohio (see previous post) came with a "free" ride on one of their historical trains, but the line was extremely long at the conclusion of the egg hunt. Rather than wait in line, we decided to return later in the day after lunch and naps to take advantage of the ride. Unfortunately, Grant was in trouble at the time we were ready to go back into Findlay, so he wasn't able to join in the fun. Ben, Julie, and I took Alex and Jonah back for the adventure.

Jonah has been extremely interested in trains for some time: he hears the whistles in the distance here and always points them out; Freight Train and Terrific Trains were some of his favorite books last fall; and he loves playing with his wooden train set, which last largely taken over our living room. We were looking forward to the opportunity to ride the train with him and were excited because the "museum" had out their quarter-scale steam engine, which we had never seen in past visits.

A view of the steam engine as we rounded the first bend.

Getting ready to add additional coal to the engine.

Jonah was more than excited to get into the train at the outset of the ride,

but once we passed the starting point for a second loop around the track, he totally broke down and wanted nothing more to do with the train:

Get me outta here!

We have no idea what happened. The train did blow its whistle shortly before he broke down, but he had previously heard the whistle at the beginning of the ride and didn't react negatively at that point. Perhaps he was just expecting one loop and was afraid we would never be able to get off. Who knows...

Unfortunately, he was unwilling to cooperate for photo opportunities inside the building as well:

This just reminds me of the one outside!

The best image we could capture of the two boys together...

All was not lost, however, as Jonah thoroughly enjoyed watching the model trains they had set up and running indoors. They also had some track and cars that Alex and Jonah played with a bit.

Looking at the model railroad.

 

Alex points out features of the model on the opposite side of the room.

Concentration!

I'm betting we'll go back on future visits to Ohio. Hopefully Grant will be able to join us for the fun times too!