VOA标准英语2013--Trains Drive Baltimore Holiday Display

 

Trains Drive Baltimore Holiday Display 

BALTIMORE — During the Christmas season, fire stations in the port city of Baltimore, Maryland, draw a number of excited visitors.

The fire stations have a long-standing tradition of hosting holiday train gardens, elaborate exhibits featuring animated¹ figurines and long strings² of model trains.

“When I was a little kid, we’d come in with my parents instead," said Terry Scoggins who came with his wife and three children. "I love trains, I love the model  trains, I love the scenery and how realistic it looks. It makes you feel like a kid.”  The meeting room of the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company in the Baltimore  suburbs is transformed into the train garden from early December through early January.  "The train garden is comprised of hundreds of different animated features,  whether it is a car that is going back and forth³, or a construction crane, it is digging in a hole, children swing on swings," said firefighter Bob Francis, the  company's spokesperson. "We have a carnival⁴ scene that a gentleman constructed in his home and he has donated it to us to use this year."Holiday train gardens have  been a tradition in Baltimore, especially in firehouses, since the late 1800s. Since Baltimore was home to America's first scheduled rail service, Francis says the  fascination with train gardens makes sense.

“Certainly the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was a very big influence in the area," he said. "Because of the Baltimore history with trains, I am sure that that is why  the mystique and the love affair with trains is so strong in this area.”

While the display changes from year to year, the train garden always includes symbols that represent Baltimore.

“This year for example we’ve got the steel mill around the corner where you’ve got the train, the back river railroad system, which is an actual railroad that was  operated by Sparrows Point Steel Mill,” Francis said.

Abigail Scoggins, 9, has been coming to see the garden since she was two. This year, the circus scene is her favorite.

"Because of how it looks so realistic and looks, makes you look like you are actually at the circus and all the people in the crowd,” Abigail said.

Francis says realism and authenticity⁵ is what the volunteers who build the garden, which is funded only by donations, go for.   “Obviously the Rudolf train, the  Christmas train are more fantasy," he said. "[But] the scale of the buildings and the animations⁶ and the trains all model real life but on a smaller size.”

Francis estimates 30- to 50,000 visitors enjoy the 100-square-meter display each year.

 “Most times when you are involved with firemen, it is usually not the best day of your life. This is an opportunity for us to be involved in the community in a good  time and a happy time,” he said.

A happy time visitors hope will continue to be a holiday tradition for generations to come. 

1 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

2 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

3 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

4 carnival   

n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演

参考例句：

• I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。
• Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。

5 authenticity   

n.真实性

参考例句：

• There has been some debate over the authenticity of his will. 对于他的遗嘱的真实性一直有争论。
• The museum is seeking an expert opinion on the authenticity of the painting. 博物馆在请专家鉴定那幅画的真伪。

6 animations   

n.生气( animation的名词复数 )；兴奋；动画片；（指电影、录像、电脑游戏的）动画制作

参考例句：

• You'll see your team cheerleaders and mascot performing new animations as well. 你会看到啦啦队队长跟吉祥物也都会有全新的动作。 来自互联网
• Ability to create simple movie and animations using graphic & multimedia software. 能够用平面和多媒体软件制作简单的电影及动画。 来自互联网