Grapevine dedicated it’s 127-foot-high Clock Tower in May 2012. Featuring two “larger-than-life” Glockenspiel characters, visitors can watch the “Would-Be Train Robbers” story each day shortly before the stroke of noon and 6 pm.
The story goes,”The first character, NAt Barrett, circa 1890, is a young cowboy looking for a one time heist to fund his dream of moving west and buying his own ranch. With an eye towards getting even with the Railroad at the next to last stop, he returns to Grapevine and, by chance, meets the second would-be train robber, Willy Majors. Willy has lived his entire life just outside of the law and spent most of his time gambling and robbing the occasional train across the West, never harming anyone during his criminal deeds. Now, Willy is searching for one last heist to ride off into the sunset and disappear forever. Both characters have come to rob the train of $60,000 (approximately $1.5 million in today’s dollars). As these two meet and argue, they miss the opportunity to rob the train and learn that crime doesn’t pay.”
We had the opportunity to watch the story unfold this past summer and was delighted in the fun of it all. The Grapevine Glockenspiel is beautiful and detailed. The characters move around and draw you into their story. And you have front row seating right across the way near the Grapevine Depot. Speakers are nestled under the patio, so you don’t miss a thing.
