HATLEY -- Children visiting the Hatley branch of the Marathon County Public Library have been captivated by the library's latest addition. An electric Thomas the Train set now hovers high above the heads of library patrons. The train, a donation to the library from an anonymous donor, runs on a circular rail suspended from the ceiling. Library assistant Karen Johnson said the train is a big hit. "The kids absolutely love it. So do the parents," she said. Alyiah Taylor-Medina, 5, of Weston stood transfixed as she watched the train go around during one of her weekly visits to the library. Aliyah typically spends several days a week in Hatley where her uncle, Jeremiah Taylor, 32, of Hatley brings her to story hour every Tuesday morning. "I love the library," Alyiah said. "I love the stuffed animals and all the stories and the train, too." Johnson said the library asked community members, through a newsletter early last year, to consider donating a train for the children's section. When presented with the train set in May, she said she was pleasantly surprised by the gift. "I wasn't expecting anything quite so nice. This is quite a valuable train," Johnson said. Three additional anonymous donors stepped forward to donate the time and talent necessary to build a track, which includes mountains and a tunnel. Johnson's husband, Glenn Johnson, also of Hatley, designed the suspension system to hang the train from the ceiling, well out of harm's way. The train, which moves forward and backward at varying speeds, is operated by a switch that is out of the children's reach but easily accessible for most parents. Johnson said the library constantly searches for ways to capture children's interest, and the train was a perfect way to do just that. "The train brings the kids in and keeps them quiet, too," Johnson said. "It's mesmerizing." http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20120504/WDH100201/205040323/Librar... -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.