By Josh Smith
Anchor / WJHL
Published: July 24, 2008

It was the sound some feared might never again echo through the hills of Bristol’s Steele Creek Park.  But yesterday, the old “peep peep” and “clatter clatter” sounds were back at the beautiful little hideaway on the city’s southwest side.

Bristol had the wisdom to restore the old Steele Creek train.  I’m told it almost didn’t happen, but some wise residents and forward thinking city hall types decided otherwise.

I took my family to ride on the train.  Turns out, several hundred others wanted to take the 10 minute trip around the park on the train’s grand re-opening day.  We decided to come back another day when the lines will be smaller.  The promise of pizza lured the little ones away without much heartache.

Friends, the place was packed.  Sweaty kids and even sweatier parents swarmed the little depot by Steele Creek lake.  There were free balloons, free train whitles, and free train engineer hats.  And there were golf cart shuttles between the up-the-hill parking lot and the train depot.  For the Smith boys, the golf cart ride made not getting on the train not so bad.

What is it about trains?  They captivate us, the really young to the really old. 

Let Bristol know you appreciate their investment in the train at Steele Creek park by visiting it Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.  Not sure on the price of the ticket.  Whatever it is, I think it’s worth it.