SENDUP: Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Come to Central Virginia

A. BARTON HINKLE Thomas the Tank Engine was excited. It was a busy time on the Island of Sodor.

Percy had just told him that the Rail way Board had dropped a proposed eastern route for an express train between the nation's capital and the Capital of the Confederacy.

"Who needs that silly Buckingham branch line, anyway?" said Thomas to Percy.

Thomas liked the old line that went through Ashland and the Staples Mill Station. The townsfolk in Ashland were always happy to see him. It made him feel like a Very Useful Engine.

"You certainly shan't need it," said cheeky Percy. "When the new express train comes through, they shall put you on a siding out of the way."

"Rubbish," said Thomas. But he looked worried nonetheless.

"Never mind that," piped up Bertie the Bus. "Sir Topham Hatt says I am to get a new transfer station in Shockoe Bottom. People will be able to travel all about the city with ease when that happens."

"Oh, but it can't," said the Fast-Talking Developer. "I need to close the roads nearby to build a baseball stadium. People will come from miles and miles around to spend money at the games. Just you watch."

"You can't put a baseball stadium there," said The People Who Like to Look at Old Things. "It is filled with History. The entire area must be encased in glass so nothing ever changes."

"Except for the express rail station," put in Gordon, the fastest and most powerful engine on the line. "We must have that. How can people see all the history, if they have no way to get here?"

"Just be sure to keep it away from my Memorial," said the Lady Politician.

"I need that land, too," said the Fast-Talking Developer. "When the games are over, the spectators will want to eat and buy more things. We are all going to get quite rich. Just you watch."

"And they can ride with me," said Bertie. "Which is why we must have the transfer station."

"But when the express train comes through," said kind Edward softly, "we will need to have plenty of room at Main Street Station to store the engines between trips. That is what a train shed is meant for, after all."

"That is where they can put you," said Diesel to Bertram, the Old Warrior.

"First things first," said the Fast-Talking Developer. "And that is me."

"I'm just a plain engine. I speak as I find," said Duncan. "What is the good of building a stadium when there is no team to play in it?"

"Details," said the Fast-Talking Developer. "All I need now is a small loan . . . ."

"Over my dead body!" said one of The People Who Like to Look at Old Things.

"That can be arranged!" shouted the Fast-Talking Developer.

Soon everbody's piston was pumping and their boilers were boiling. Everything seemed to be happening all at once. All the engines grumbled dreadfully.

"Peace," said the Smooth-Talking Mayor. "I am sure we can make everyone happy, if each of us would compromise a little bit. But nothing good can happen if all we do is quarrel. Can't we all just get along?"

It was no use. Nobody was listening.

"They've all gone quite nuts! They've all gone quite nuts!" said the boxcars.

"Oh dear. Oh dear!" said Thomas. "What a silly little town!" Finding a turntable, he pointed toward Ashland and chuffed happily away.

My thoughts do not aim for your assent -- just place them alongside your own reflections for a while.

--Robert Nozick.

Contact A. Barton Hinkle at (804) 649-6627 or .