08.7.2009
Hobo Railroad To Honor Long-time Engineer Turned Clown
For Immediate Release:
Ben Clark
President- Hobo Railroad / Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
603-745-2135
They say that good things come to those who wait, and if you
ask St. Johnsbury, VT resident Archie Prevost, he'd likely agree.
Prevost, 77 years young, has been waiting a lifetime for his day
in the limelight. A day where he was the star-the top banana per
say. Well for Prevost, his day will come, when the Hobo Railroad
in Lincoln, NH, dedicates the "Choo-Choo Theater" in his honor
on August 14th, just before his 78th birthday.
Mr. Prevost is certainly no stranger to the railroad. In fact, he's
spent a lifetime as a locomotive engineer running freight trains,
passenger trains, mixed trains and everything in between. So
after retiring from the Canadian Pacific Railroad with nearly 40
years of experience, it was no surprise when he went to work
plying his trade with the Lincoln based tourist rail line. Until
recently, he continued in this familiar role-- behind the scenes
and away from the public's watchful eye-- in the operating cab
one of the railroad's vintage locomotives. But all this changed
when Prevost, who ventures to Florida during the winter season,
signed up to attend "Clown College" in Orlando.
"A few years ago, he told me that he was going to clown school
and I thought he was joking" said Railroad President Benjamin
Clark. "I thought at first he had spent too much time in the
Florida sun, but I soon learned he was serious about his new
found passion".
Everyone at the railroad warmed up to the idea of Prevost
trading in his engineer's cap for a big red clown's nose, once they
watched him perform a few of his trademark balloon animal
tricks. Since then, he's been riding the rails in the coaches with
the passengers, not in the locomotive, entertaining children of all
ages aboard the Hobo train. When it came time to choosing a
clown name or persona, for Prevost, it was a no-brainer. "I
chose Choo-Choo the Clown-what else could it have been?"
In honor of Prevost and his years of service to the organization,
during the spring of 2009, the Hobo Railroad built a small stage,
complete with velvet curtain and podium to showcase their star
entertainer. They called it the Choo-Choo Theater.
"I told him every big entertainer deserves his own venue" joked
Clark. "If Wayne Newton can have his own theater, then why not
Choo-Choo the Hobo Clown?" For Prevost, it was an honor
"beyond belief".
The small theater provides an opportunity for passengers to
enjoy a skit and share a laugh in between train departures under
the covered platform of the Victorian style train depot. Choo-
Choo, seems to relish his role as entertainer, balloon sculptor and
slight-of-hand magician. He can be found on most days donning
oversized shoes, powdered white make-up and a smile as wide
as the Florida pan handle.
At his age, Choo-Choo knows that life is best enjoyed when
bringing happiness to others. "Life is what you make of it" he
says. "When life gives you lemons, you turn them into
lemonade. As clowns, we turn teardrops into smiles and keep
people coming back for more".
The Railroad will formally dedicate the theater in his honor, and
celebrate his 78th birthday, on Friday August 14th at 12:30. He
will also be honored with a special presentation by the railroad,
its employees and friends.
For more information go to www.hoborr.com.
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