I was just perusing the Web site for North Carolina's Amtrak, www.bytrain.org, and learned that there are several rides coming up that kids will love.

They include Thomas the Tank Engine in late September and Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour in October. You can even hop a ride to Selma's Railroad Days in early October.

And I'm told that in a few weeks, there will be more information about Amtrak's very popular Santa Train. It's scheduled for Dec. 5 and will run from Raleigh to Greensboro and back. Another train is planned between Charlotte and Salisbury and will feature folks from Disney Radio. 

Worth checking out if you have some train lovers at home.