Train Test Customers’ Patience

It’s become a tradition of sorts with someone we know: Load up the little one, grab the grandma and favorite cousin, and head to Springdale to ride the Children’s Christmas Train.

Sadly, this year, that someone left the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad depot in need of some spirits-filled egg nog. Why?

After being told to arrive 30 minutes early for the 9 a.m. departure, someone and his family members stood in line until 9:20, wondering how the first train of the day could be so far behind schedule.

After boarding late, subjecting hundreds of customers to a frigid Ozarks morning, the train began to chug at 9:35 a.m. Unfortunately, rather than traveling south to Fayetteville, this year’s ride headed north to Lowell. Let’s just say the scenery left something to be desired.

Fighting off Grinch-like urges, someone and his party sang along with the young ladies leading Christmas carols. And despite a ride most suspected was cut short to make up for lost time, those Grinch-like hearts began to thaw. Especially given the fact proceeds from the ride were directed to the Kid Care and Children’s Safety Center charities.

All in all, though, that someone wondered if he’d bother making reservations next year. He also gained a further appreciation for the reasons train travel has gone the way of the dodo bird.