Polar Express rumbles through CEL

[December 21, 2011]  A large locomotive with a loaded coal car traveled down the halls at Chester-East Lincoln last week. It was a big black engine with a bright headlight and silver smoke billowing from its smokestack. But no one seemed to mind as it chugged along, beckoning students from their classrooms to take them into the gym for an afternoon movie. At Christmastime everything works like magic.

The locomotive had an engineer -- Doug Rader, who doubles as the junior high science teacher. The conductor, Greg Hoffert, teaches art classes when he's not on the train. Mr. Hoffert designed the locomotive and built it from a framework and cardboard panels. Crinkled black tissue paper formed the chunks of coal; silver balloons bobbing from ribbon formed smoke that waved back and forth like the real thing.

No one could actually sit inside and ride the train, but when it stopped at classroom doors, everyone was "onboard." Adult staff members were as fascinated with it as the students because it was so detailed and realistic. No one can resist the excitement and adventurous feeling of riding a train, even if it is make-believe.

Teacher's aide Eric Farwell followed the tracks as the resident hobo, and Santa's elves walked among the lines of students.

"My son wanted to keep it at our house," Hoffert said as he watched the locomotive, "but I don't think there's room for it many places." The school isn't sure where to keep it either, but its popularity will probably keep it around for awhile.

Students were gathered from classrooms to watch the movie "Polar Express" as a holiday treat. It was also "pajama day" at CEL, so everyone was comfy as the movie started and the week wound down.

[By MARLA BLAIR]