Lukey the Railroad Engineer

Watching all the G scale trains from his bucket pedestal...

On Saturday of the train show down in Springfield, we came across a huge operating layout of G scale trains. There must have been at least a dozen trains running in all directions. For those unfamiliar with model railroad scales... G scale trains are twice the size of the standard Lionel trains. 

Lukey immediately got up on his five gallon bucket so he could see better. He had his locomotive whistle in his mouth while he pointed out different trains. One of the men showing these trains noticed Lukey and came over to talk with him. Within a minute or two, Lukey was asked if he wanted to drive one of the trains.  Lukey's eyes enlarged as he started looking around and getting antsy to get off his five gallon bucket...

In the driver's seat...

Grammy walked him beyond the cordoned off area where all the controls were located for driving all these huge trains... Lukey sat on the lap of one of the engineers and was given some directions on what to do and when to do it... then, Lukey was driving one of these long behemoths as the engineer!

Lukey and Kenzie were able to control quite a few different railroads throughout the show since there were many small layouts dedicated to allowing the kids to play but this was a bit different. 

Lukey had his first railroad engineering experience and he was very proud of himself!

I do have to say... all the kids are really showered with a lot of attention by everyone at the show. Throughout my career in the Air Force, I took part in many events geared toward the kids and this show reminded me of that... the real purpose of the show is for the benefit of the kids.

Lukey is driving this passenger train in front of him...