Week 5: Trains

With two young sons we have a thing for trains in this house. Over the years we've collected quite a few pieces to the Fisher Price GeoTrax. We love to pull them all out and set up a train track all over the family room.

Our theme this week is trains and we plan to learn a lot more about them. Utah has some great "train history" and several fun train sites to visit.

BOOKS:





Big Book Of Trains by DK Publishing



The Goodnight Train by June Sobel and Laura Huliska-Beith




All Aboard Trains (Reading Railroad Books) by Deborah Harding

Thomas and the Freight Train (A Chunky Book(R)) by W. Rev Awdry and Owain Bell

FIELD TRIPS:

The last spike was driven in the train tracks linking the east and west on May 10, 1869. Golden Spike National Historic Site was built to commemorate this historic moment. Located in Promontory, Utah, it is a long drive but is worth the trip. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the summer there are even locomotive demonstrations. The website also offers a virtual tour.

Take a train ride on the steam engine Heber Valley Railroad as it follows the Provo River in the gorgeous Provo Canyon. Check out their website for schedule information and to purchase tickets.

Ride on TRAX. It's a great way to get into the city to visit a museum, park or other event. It will save on gas and it's fun. Link to UTA's website for schedules and fares.

The Museums at Union Station in Ogden, Utah features a model train exhibit and many other fun activities including a classic cars museum. All museum are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The admission price is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (62+) and $3 for children (2-12).

Save the gas and take FrontRunner to Ogden.