Calder Valley Youth Theatre

The story unfolds in a young child’s dream. Her train set magically comes to life and the various engines compete to become the ‘Fastest engine in the World!’

Representing USA is Greaseball, a diesel locomotive whose girlfriend is Dinah, the dining car. In the yard lives Rusty, a steam engine who dreams of winning the race but who is seen as slow and old-fashioned by everyone else. He is in love with Pearl the observation car, but when he asks her out she turns him down. A late entry to the race is Electra, a state-of-the-art electric locomotive, with the Components, his own personal freight cars. He convinces Pearl to race with him.

Poppa, an old steam engine and past racing champion, serves as Rusty’s mentor. To bolster his confidence, he tells him the legend of the Starlight Express, a midnight train who helps engines in distress.

Rusty prays to the Starlight Express for help. The train appears to him and tells him that he doesn’t need any supernatural help – all he needs is the confidence to believe in himself....