I painted a large piece of cardboard "similar" to the indide of a steam engine compartment and an opening for where you put the coal in. I have one of those little bowls that looks as if it has fire coming from it (air blowing up to make colored material "bounce" as if a flame). I put this bowl inside a smaller box (I plug it into the wall outlet as it's electrical) with the opening facing the hole where the children can see the "flames." I just plug it in, and voila! I put small chairs one behind the other where the children sit and we all sing songs. The cone hats, train tatoos, confetti, blowouts, pinatas (2) one for the boys and one for the girls, train cake and ice cream, all make it very colorful. We all tell jokes (preferrably train jokes) and then the children are read a few train stories by a few adults. A memorable time for everyone and we know that they'll be looking forward to the next train theme party.