From Deseret News archives:
Train trip is dream come true
Teen gets his wish — a private ride on Thomas
He's handed a train whistle and his eyes light up.
"Hit it, Thomas!" Worley yells, blowing the wooden toy. "All right, Thomas! That's a good boy."
Worley, 17, is living his greatest wish. He has Down syndrome and has the mental capacity of a 5-year-old. He also was born with atrioventricular canal defect, a congenial heart problem that has forced him to undergo two major heart surgeries in the past year. Because of his condition, Worley was chosen by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant his greatest desire: riding Thomas the Tank Engine.
"He wanted nothing else. This is his favorite thing," Worley's father, Gary Benjamin, said, beaming as he snaps a picture of his eldest son admiring the blue and red locomotive. "Every time he hears a train, he thinks it's Thomas. It's a pretty big deal. It's all he's ever wanted to do."
For the sixth year in a row, the Heber Valley Railroad has transformed its historic train cars into a unique experience for children: a ride with the star of the popular "Thomas & Friends" television series. This year, though, the railroad dedicated a day to Worley and his family, giving the family a private ride on the train.
"It's really neat to see the reaction of not only the kids, but their family," Heber Valley Railroad director Craig Lacey said. "With everything that would preoccupy the family, with health issues, it's nice to give them something to take their mind off it."
A fictional locomotive, Thomas has achieved recognition through American and British children's books and TV shows and is known as lending a helping hand to the other engines he works with — something Worley was eager to see.
Worley asked mom Lorraine Benjamin where James and Percy were (two of Thomas' pals) and worried Thomas wasn't getting enough help pulling the train.
"Somebody's got to help Thomas," Worley said, blowing his whistle and pretending to be the conductor helping Thomas journey through the town. "He's my friend."
The family, who lives in Illinois, was touched and thrilled with their four-day, expense-paid trip to the Heber Valley. Siblings Kristen, 12, and Trapper, 6, also came along,
"It's the neatest thing we've ever done," said Gary.
The Heber railroad's "Day Out With Thomas" has a limited number of tickets available for its remaining rides today and Monday. Visit www.hebervalleyrailroad.org for more details.
E-mail: astowell@desnews.com
