Page 235 - Grapevine FY22 Adopted Budget v2
P. 235

Each luxurious coach contains enough walkover (bi-directional) seating for 72  guests. For
               onboard comfort, each car contains ceiling fans and a complete water closet. The windows in
               each car may be opened allowing passengers to experience the true essence of rail travel as it
               was at the turn of the century. The day coaches were put into service in January 1992.

























               Touring Coaches - The Grapevine Vintage Railroad has two open-air touring coaches built in
               1927 by the American  Car Foundry for the Wabash Railroad. The  Fort Worth and Western
               Railroad purchased them from the Smoky Hill Railway Museum in  Belton, Missouri. Both
               coaches mirror the décor of the day coaches with the exception of windows. The touring coaches
               have arched openings along their lengths with wrought iron railings for passenger safety. Each is
               complemented with full-service bars. Riders experience an open-air feel as they travel. Windows
               are installed during the winter months for passenger comfort. These touring coaches began
               service in September 1993.

               The Grapevine Vintage Railroad proudly features the following annual events:

               Day Out with Thomas     TM  – Springtime brings an event that’s anticipated by kids of all ages.
               That’s when Thomas the Tank Engine       TM   rolls into Grapevine.  During the Day Out with
               Thomas, a toy train becomes life-sized and children enjoy  a hands-on  experience known as
               Thomas & Friends.  The mobile event lets kids ride on board a Thomas train and offers
               attractions  that  kids love, such as bounce houses, free live entertainment, and a wonderful
               merchandise store for selection of that unique “Thomas” item to commemorate this special trip
               for the children.
               Train Robbers – Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, some locals will tell you, “It ain’t safe
               to ride the train.”  It’s all in fun though – enjoy the stages train robberies every Saturday and
               Sunday on the Grapevine to Fort Worth trip.  Desperate desperados lurk outside the Stockyards
               Station and put on a great show of wacky fun.

               The North Pole Express  – Every  December, the North Pole Express steams down the tracks
               filled with pajama-clad youngsters.  Along the way, the kids receive a special gift from Santa as
               he makes his way down the aisle during this  memorable Christmas journey.  The area is a
               Christmas Village with opportunities for lots of pictures and a bounce house for the children to
               enjoy prior to their trip.  In addition, the North Pole General Store offers a free ornament-making
               factory for that special creative opportunity for the children and shopping for those special North
               Pole gifts.  Photos with Santa are also available.



                                                            235
   230   231   232   233   234   235   236   237   238   239   240