All Aboard!

Kids participated in train-themed activities, crafts, games and snacks during the “All Aboard!” Train Day at the Luque Community Center on Nov. 13, while learning more about Colton's rich history and how the railroad industry impacted, influenced and shaped the city. Thomas Robles, the Senior Recreation Leader who headed the event, kicked off the festivities by encouraging the children to talk to him about trains. Robles gave the children background information about the city of Colton and taught them about Colton’s nickname, “Hub City.” Colton was established in 1875 and was known as the "hub" of all things railroad-related, Robles explained. Until recently, Colton was home to the Colton Crossing, one of the busiest railroad crossings in the country installed in 1882 by the California Southern Railroad to cross the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. Colton was known as the only city in California with a railroad that traveled both north to Canada and south to Mexico, explained Robles. Because of its crucial role in the railroad industry, Colton has also been recognized and awarded Union Pacific's "Train Town USA." Recreation Coordinator Kelly Phelps taught the kids train safety with a presentation. Phelps reviewed the three "E’s" of train safety: education, engineering, and enforcement. Phelps explained to children that the Luque Center was applying the first E, by educating the children on how to be safe around the train tracks that are so prominent in Colton. Children also learned the signs, symbols and colors of the railroad crossings. Children also learned about the various parts of a train while coloring and decorating a miniature train crafted from cardboard and colorful construction paper. Children later posed in the train for pictures while sporting the conductor hats they made after listening to the safety presentation.