I wasn’t even watching the train.
I was watching the little boy standing next to his grandfather.
The engineer gave a wave from the locomotive, and that little guy lit up like he’d just been handed the keys to the whole railroad. He waved back with both arms, turned to his grandfather, and shouted loud enough for everyone nearby to hear:
“He waved at me!”
His grandfather smiled and said, “I think he did.”
Moments like that happen around here all the time. They’re small. They don’t make the news. Nobody posts about every one of them online.
But they’re the kind of memories that have a way of sticking with people.
It’s funny what people remember.
You might think they’d remember how many miles the train traveled or exactly how long the ride lasted.
Most don’t.
Instead, they remember the whistle echoing through the countryside. They remember leaning out just enough to catch a better look down the tracks. They remember a child asking fifty questions before the train had even left the station.
And they remember slowing down.
For a little while, phones get put away and people simply watch the world go by.
We hear the same comment over and over.
“I can’t believe we’ve lived this close and never came.”
Families from Kempton, Hamburg, Kutztown, Reading, Allentown, and beyond tell us that all the time.
Life gets busy. Weekends fill up.
Before you know it, years have passed and that local attraction you’ve always meant to visit is still sitting on your list.
Then someone finally decides to come out for an afternoon.
By the time they leave, they’re already talking about coming back in another season.
Children notice things adults forget to look for.
The engineer.
The sound of the bell.
The smell of the railroad ties on a warm day.
The click of the wheels.
The way the tracks seem to disappear into the distance.
Adults tend to notice something different.
They notice their kids aren’t staring at a screen.
They’re actually looking out the window.
They’re pointing.
They’re asking questions.
They’re completely caught up in what’s happening around them.
There’s something refreshing about that.
Of course, somebody always asks a question.
Usually, it’s a child.
Sometimes it’s an adult pretending they’re asking for the child.
“How much does a train weigh?”
“Why is the whistle so loud?”
“How do the tracks stay the same distance apart?”
“How does something that big stop?”
The wonderful thing about railroads is there’s always something new to learn.
And around here, there always seems to be someone willing to share the answer.
Did you know…
…the standard distance between railroad rails in the United States is 4 feet 8½ inches?
It’s one of those facts people hear once and somehow never forget.
Or that railroad whistles aren’t random?
Different patterns communicate different messages and warnings.
Children usually find that fascinating.
Adults usually do too.
July has a way of making train rides feel even more special.
The trees are full.
Everything is green.
Families are looking for somewhere to spend time together before summer slips away.
Some come because they loved trains as kids.
Some come because their grandchildren do.
Some come because they’re simply looking for something different than another trip to the mall or another afternoon in front of a television.
There’s no rush once you get here.
That’s part of the experience.
One volunteer shared something with us years ago that has always stayed in our minds.
He said, “We’re not really in the train business. We’re in the memory business.”
At first it sounded funny.
Then you watch a child waving at the engineer.
Or grandparents introducing grandchildren to something they loved decades ago.
Or parents taking pictures that will probably stay on the refrigerator for months.
And you realize he might have been exactly right.
So, should you visit?
We’re probably a little biased.
But we’d say yes.
Come because your kids love trains.
Come because you love trains.
Come because you’ve never ridden one before.
Come because you’re looking for something simple to do on a July afternoon.
Or come because you need a reminder that some of the best family memories don’t require flashing lights or giant crowds.
Sometimes all they require is a whistle in the distance, a friendly wave from an engineer, and a little time spent together.
And should you happen to hear a little voice yell, “Look! He waved at me!” don’t be surprised if you find yourself smiling too.
A Few Questions We Hear All the Time
Is the ride good for young children?
Absolutely. Many families tell us it was their child’s very first train ride, and it’s often one they remember for years.
Do adults enjoy it too?
Without question. We’ve watched plenty of parents and grandparents become just as excited as the kids.
Are there volunteers around to answer questions?
Yes, and many of them genuinely enjoy sharing stories and railroad knowledge with visitors.
Should we buy tickets ahead of time?
That’s always a good idea, especially during popular events and busy weekends.
Can we come back more than once?
We certainly hope so. Every season brings something a little different, and many families make a visit to the WK&S Railroad part of their traditions year after year.