Every great adventure begins with good friends.
Goldie Jones
Goldie is curious about everything. As the younger of the two Jones children, she is always eager to explore a new trail, investigate a mysterious sound, or discover what might be waiting around the next bend. Her adventurous spirit often leads her and her older brother Mitch into unexpected discoveries, and occasionally a little trouble.
Goldie sees possibility everywhere. Where others see an ordinary path, she sees the start of an adventure. Where others hear a strange noise, she hears a mystery waiting to be solved. As she explores the hidden world around Train Mountain, Goldie is learning that every adventure carries a lesson, discovering more about friendship, courage, responsibility, and the traditions that help hold the mountain community together.
Goldie reminds us that the world is full of wonders waiting to be discovered, and that sometimes the most important discoveries are the ones we make about ourselves.
Mitch Jones
Mitch is thoughtful, dependable, and always paying attention. As Goldie’s older brother, he often balances her enthusiasm with a healthy dose of caution. While Goldie is usually the first to suggest an adventure, Mitch is the one asking questions, making observations, and thinking about what might happen next.
He notices details others miss. A missing clue, an unusual track, a forgotten story, or a small piece of information that doesn’t quite fit often catches his attention, and his notebook is never far away. But what makes Mitch special isn’t his careful nature, it’s his heart. He looks out for others, helps friends solve problems, and quietly steps forward when someone needs help.
As he grows, Mitch is learning that wisdom isn’t just about collecting facts and keeping records. It’s about understanding people, making good decisions, and knowing when to trust both your head and your heart. He reminds us that courage isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like being prepared, staying calm, and showing up when others need you most.
Zinny Jones
Zinny Jones has a gift for helping things grow. Whether she is tending her garden, gathering herbs along a woodland path, caring for a sick neighbor, or offering a quiet word of encouragement, Zinny approaches the world with patience, kindness, and a deep respect for nature.
Known throughout the community for her knowledge of plants and natural remedies, Zinny serves as one of the mountain’s most trusted healers. Her shelves are filled with dried herbs, carefully labeled jars, and generations of wisdom. When someone is hurt, worried, or in need of help, they often find their way to her door. But do not mistake her gentle nature for seriousness. Zinny loves a good adventure and is never afraid to get a little dirt on her paws.
Much of who Zinny is today comes from the example of her mother, Bessie Lasher, whose beloved garden and knowledge of healing plants became an important part of mountain life. From Grandma Larkspur, Zinny has learned the importance of patience, perspective, and seeing the larger story unfolding around her. She understands that knowledge is a gift meant to be shared and preserved.
Zippy Jones
Zippy is the steady heart of the Jones family. Practical, dependable, and endlessly patient, he is the kind of chipmunk everyone hopes is nearby when something goes wrong. Whether a wagon wheel has come loose, a roof needs repairing, or a neighbor simply needs an extra pair of paws, Zippy is always ready to help.
A talented builder and fixer, Zippy has a knack for seeing solutions where others only see problems. He enjoys working with wood, repairing tools, building clever inventions, and making sure Brightseed Burrow is always warm, safe, and welcoming. But the work he values most is not fixing things, it is caring for his family. He is a devoted husband to Zinny and a loving father to Mitch and Goldie.
Around Train Mountain, Zippy has earned a reputation for being someone you can count on. He does not seek attention or praise. He simply believes that neighbors help neighbors, promises should be kept, and every challenge can be met with patience, determination, and a little teamwork. If there is work to be done, you will probably find Zippy already rolling up his sleeves, with a warm smile and a plan.
Grandma Larkspur
Wise, kind, and endlessly patient, Grandma Larkspur has a remarkable gift for helping others see the world a little differently. She rarely gives answers outright. Instead, she asks thoughtful questions, tells meaningful stories, and encourages young hearts to notice the little things that others often overlook.
To Grandma Larkspur, every weathered railroad sign, towering pine, winding trail, and forgotten wildflower has a story worth discovering. She believes that understanding where we have been helps us better understand where we are going, and that life’s greatest lessons are often hidden inside its quietest moments.
As the Keeper of Stories and Meaning, Grandma Larkspur reminds the entire community that every adventure eventually becomes a story, and every story carries a lesson worth remembering.
And Many More Friends...
The hidden world is filled with wonderful characters, including Pip, Twig, Clover, Thistle, Charley, Marigold, Ronnie, the Whiskerwhite family, and many others. As the Train Mountain Tails series grows, you’ll meet new friends, discover new places, and uncover even more stories waiting beneath the trees and along the rails.
Because in the hidden world, there is always another adventure waiting around the bend.
Join Auntie Ann and the woodland crew for gentle stories, behind-the-scenes adventures from the real Train Mountain, printable activities, nature discoveries, and surprises delivered throughout the year.
As a member of the Train Mountain Tails family, you’ll receive:
- Early looks at new books
- Saturday Morning adventures with Goldie and Mitch
- Printable activities and coloring pages
- Nature discoveries from Train Mountain
- Birthday surprises for young conductors
- Special gifts available only to our subscribers
Come pull up a stump by the tracks… We’d love to save you a place.