[Travelandtourism] : A Christmas Memory, Edaville Railroad

[Peter Donahue]

Good evening everyone,

Earlier this afternoon I sent the following message to Ray Brown. He hosts a 
classical show on WGBH in Boston Massachusetts. Since they've been playing 
holiday music Brown also invited listeners to share with the radio audience 
their favorite holiday memories. I sent in a description of a railroad 
museum and theme park located in South Carver called "Edaville Railroad." To 
get in a little passive advocacy I mentioned that a blind person need not 
rely on site to enjoy public attractions such as museums and theme parks.

        Mary and I were excited when Mr. Brown read my message on air. He 
read the note as I sent it to him. This is what we as blind people want 
isn't it? He went on to say that he too along with his family visited 
Edaville many times since he grew up in Rhode Island.

    Brown also corrected some information I heard that Edaville had closed. 
He assured me along with other listeners that Edaville Railroad is very much 
open. It recently came under new ownership. He didn't say anything about any 
plans for the park's future. Here is the message:


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>
To: <classicalnewengland at gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 2:06 PM
Subject: A Christmas Memory, Edaville Railroad
Hello Ray,

    We're listening to your show from a rather wet and cold San Antonio
Texas. Hearing all of the Christmas memories you've been sharing from
listeners really makes me think of home (Brockton to be exact), and the many
Christmases I remember as a child.

    Several years our family went to Edaville Railroad in South Carver.
Edaville didn't spare any expense in decorating the park for the holidays.
There were colored lights everywhere along with displays some of which
contained an early form of annamatronics .

    Being blind I appreciated being able to touch many of the old train
engines and cars, along with the other antique vehicles they had on display.
I remember being able to climb on some of them and examining them in detail
with my hands. My mother would describe the lighted displays and other
attractions I could not touch.

    Being blind does not prevent one from enjoying places of amusement like
Edaville Railroad. Long before we ever reached the park we could hear the
train whistle blowing in the distance. In the shops I could smell the
various food items offered to park visitors.

    The highlight of any trip to Edaville Railroad was a ride on that old
fashion train complete with its blowing whistle, smoke poring out of the
smoke stack (You could smell it when the train approached the station) the
ringing bell and the conductor shouting "All aboard" as you left for a ride
through a magical wonderland of holiday displays. The climax of the train
ride was seeing the lights of the park reflected in the water or the ice
when the lake was frozen.

    When "The Polar Express" came out in 2004 the train reminded me so much
of the one at Edaville Railroad complete with the sights and sounds of the
Edaville locomotive. And like in "The Polar Express" one year we were served
hot chocolate during our train ride though we didn't have any
rattler-hopping hobos or Tom Hanks as our conductor.

    Seeing "The Polar Express" brought back so many memories of Edaville
Railroad and my childhood Christmases. I heard recently that Edaville
Railroad had closed down . Edaville and its train will always keep chugging
along in the hearts of those like myself who had the opportunity to
experience such a magical wonderland during the holidays.

Peter Donahue



"Will you come and awake our lost land from its slumber
      And her fetters we'll break, links that long are encumbered.
      And the air will resound with hosannas to greet you
      On the shore will be found gallant Irishmen to greet you."
Will You Come to the Bower
Traditional Irish Folk Song