The Switching Yard Game
July 28, 2023
We have a switching yard in front of our house. There are nine tracks, a water tower, and a coaling station. Every morning there's work to do there. Most of the time there are trains all ready to go and all a locomotive needs to do is couple up and deliver them to where they need to go. Sometimes there's a bit of shunting to do to get them ready.
I'm in charge of this station. It's a great job. I sit on my porch with a cup of coffee and my knitting and direct all the work. I have a team of trains at my disposal.
All of the Big Boys ever built (my son is # 4015) and three muffinheads (wood burning locos) work tirelessly to deliver express trains full of passengers to Silverton, Colorado, freight trains carrying breakfast coal to trains at Steamtown in Scranton, Pa, and cake, ice cream, and balloons to birthday parties all around the country in our yard.
Sometimes we run races instead of making deliveries. It's always a close finish but #4015 usually wins.
On special occasions the trains visit the steamworks (the side of the house) for a new coat of paint and decorations so we can have a parade. Where we live, parades mean candy thrown for children so #4015 fills his candy ejector to the brim. The passing trains are a beautiful sight and I always cheer as they pass the reviewing stand.
It's imaginary, of course, but then that's what kids are good at, isn't it? All I have to do is play along. He's happy to tell me when he's derailed and needs a breakdown train or what color he's been painted for the parade.
Imagination games are important at this age and adult support for them is equally important. Besides, it's fun for both of us.