We drove into the parking lot of Strasburg railroad at around noon on Saturday. We joined the army of families with boys and some girls staring with awe as the favorite friend, Thomas, chugged into the station. The moms, all in capris and pastel T-shirts, talked knowledgeably about buffers and couplers with their kids. The kids came wearing Thomas T-shirts and caps and left with shopping bags of new merchandise that was available in huge tents. Each family spent about $100 worth of tickets for the half hour ride and surely spent another $100 on chicken fingers, Thomas shaped lollies, conductor whistles, Thomas stickers, Thomas bedspreads, Thomas books, Thomas sunglasses, and Thomas goggles.

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