Peace rally set today at Capitol

Topeka — A rally to express concerns about the war in Iraq is scheduled for noon today on the south steps of the Capitol.

Sponsored by several groups including the Lawrence Coalition of Peace and Justice, the rally will conclude about 1 p.m.

One of the scheduled speakers is Chris White of Lawrence, a former Marine sergeant and member of Veterans for Peace.

Cartoon engine Thomas to ride into Baldwin

Baldwin — Aspiring engineers can meet Thomas the Tank Engine when the fabled train pulls into the Midland Railway station July 16-18 and July 23-25.

During “Day Out with Thomas,” fans of the children’s books featuring the train can ride behind a replica of the No.1 engine under the direction of “Sir Topham Hatt,” who runs the railroad where Thomas and his friends live.

Thomas will pull classic coaches on 25-minute runs, but the day’s activities also include local entertainment, storytellers, clowns, coloring, food and hands-on activities.

The train will make 12 trips daily. Tickets, $14 for each rider, are available at the Santa Fe Depot ticket window in Baldwin or online at www.

midland-ry.org or through Ticket Web at www.ticketweb.com.

Advance tickets are recommended but not required. Children under age 1 are free.

This will be Thomas’ third visit to Midland. Proceeds have provided matching funding for a TEA-21 grant, which restored the south half of Midland’s track between Norwood and Ottawa Junction.