On Wednesday, Padawan Learner and I headed over to Frederik Meijer Gardens (after driving back home to pick up my wallet – duh – and filling up the car with gas as the low fuel light was on – doh). Yoda, Lando Calrissian, R2-D2, Qui-Gon Jinn and C-3PO were already there waiting for us. After perusing the international Christmas trees, we headed over to the holiday train and trolley exhibits. This was merely a prelude to the REAL show though, as Qui-Gon had arranged a behind the scenes tour of the train layouts with the resident train engineer (and rest of the year head botanist for the indoor gardens).
He was so wonderful. He showed us the controls, the maintenance and upkeep procedures and a couple other engines and trolleys that they swap in and out to keep a train running at all times. I was surprised to learn that over the course of the holiday season, the train – taking 4 minutes to make a loop – runs over 1,000 miles and completely wears out its sets of wheels and couplings.
Thanks to Yoda for the picture.
