Stop, Look & Listen
It's hard to
imagine a child that isn't enamored with trains. Even though I am no longer a
child, I absolutely love trains and know that many people share this same fascination. I wanted to share my love of trains with others so I created this cache. The cache is in a very
unique area and features Alabama's only operating steam locomotive, as well as,
two diesel-electric engines that can take you on a scenic ten-mile (round-trip)
train ride. The steam engine was acquired from the Birmingham Zoo in 2001 when
the zoo replaced the steam engine and cars with a internal combustion train
engine. I must have ridden this steam powered train hundreds of times as a child
and my children also were able to ride it at the zoo. I am confident that my grandchildren will
one day be able to ride this same steam powered train since it has been totally
rebuilt and restored. While visiting the site, make sure to visit the train
depot that houses one of the best collections of railroad memorabilia that I
have ever seen in one location. Stepping inside the museum is like going through
a time warp as you can see how a train depot appeared during the years of steam
locomotives. Also make sure to check out the train yard where you can explore cabooses,
steam engines, mail cars and even rail cars used by the Strategic Air Command
during the Cold War. I can't help but wonder about the conversations that occurred in
these SAC railcars during the 1950's and 1960's when nuclear war with the Soviet
Union seemed so imminent. There is no admission charged to visit the museum or
rail yard, but donations are accepted at the depot museum. There is a fee to
ride the steam powered train and diesel-electric train. The trains typically run on
Saturdays, March through December. Thomas the Tank Engine©
usually visits in April. There is a Pumpkin Patch Express Train in October and a
Polar Express/Santa Claus train in December. There is a playground and
picnic area at the site, so bring a lunch and enjoy the sights and sounds of
this great location.
Now, let's talk
about the actual geocache. The cache container is a small Rubbermaid container. If bringing an item to
trade, please keep in mind that the cache container is smaller than the typical
ammo can, but is large enough to handle most small trade items and Travel Bugs. Depending on when you visit the
geocache,
there may be people near the area of the cache so please try to be discreet so
that Geomuggles (non-geocachers) will not discover and plunder the cache. Please make sure the lid is sealed
tightly to help keep the cache contents nice and dry.
Please feel free
to trade for an item in the cache and take a moment to sign the mini log book. I
really enjoy visiting this location with my children and feel sure that you will
also. If you happen to be traveling through the Central Alabama area you will
find the location only minutes from I-65 so it would be a great place to stop
and take a break from the road. This site is a great place to explore and
examine trains 'up-close' but please always remember that trains and tracks that
you encounter in everyday life can be quite dangerous. Always remember to 'Stop,
Look & Listen'. Visit the Operation
Lifesaver web site for
information about safety around trains and tracks. I had fun making and placing
this Geocache and hope that you have fun visiting the site and finding my
Geocache.