10 to 100 players. Parlor; schoolroom; out of doors.
Each player is named for some object on a train, such as engine, baggage car, dining car, smokestack, boiler, cylinders, wheels, oil, coal, engineer, porter, conductor, etc. One person is chosen to be the train master.
He says in narrative form: “We must hurry and make up a train to go to Boston.
I will take Number One engine and some coal;
have the bell rope in order;
be sure that the cushions are brushed in the sleeping car,” etc.
As he names these objects, the player bearing each name runs to the starter and lines up behind him, each putting his hands on the shoulders of the one in front, the first one placing his on the shoulders of the starter.
When all are on the train, the starter gives the signal for going, and the whole train moves out on its journey, which at the discretion of the starter will be up hill over obstacles, down hill from others, around loops and curves, etc.; and he may, under suitable circumstances, find a convenient place for a grand “smash-up” at the end.
For large numbers there should be several starters, starting several trains at once, and these may race for a given point at the end.
Excerpt from the book:
GAMES FOR THE PLAYGROUND, HOME, SCHOOL AND GYMNASIUM BY JESSIE H. BANCROFT
New York, THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1922
You must be logged in to post a comment.