Les Voyages du tortillard facts for kids

The Secret Railroad, also known as Les Voyages du tortillard, was a fun animated TV show. It was made in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Each episode was a short adventure, lasting only about 5 minutes.

This show was first created in 1977. It was produced by Peter Saunders and Danielle Marleau. Their animation studio was called "Les Films du Train Secret." The show originally had 52, or maybe even 61, episodes.

The show was first recorded in English. This happened in Montreal at a place called Place D'Youville. Later, the English episodes were changed into French. This is called dubbing.

The Secret Railroad first aired in French on Radio-Canada. You could watch it between 1980 and 1981. It was shown again later in the 1980s and early 1990s. Back then, it was on Canal Famille. It often played after popular shows like Inspector Gadget and The Raccoons.

The English version of the show also aired in Canada. You could see it on TVOntario and Global Television. In the United States, it was part of The Great Space Coaster. Kids in New Zealand also got to watch it in the early 1980s.

Meet the Characters of The Secret Railroad

The show follows a few main characters. They go on exciting journeys together. Each character adds something special to the adventures.

Simon: The Young Engineer

The main character of the show is a young boy named Simon. He finds something amazing in the basement of his apartment building. It's a magical steam locomotive, which is a type of train engine.

Simon becomes the engineer of this special train. He uses the locomotive to travel on many magical adventures. He explores new places and solves fun puzzles.

Mr. George T. Passenger: The Wise Companion

Joining Simon on every episode is Mr. George T. Passenger. He is an older gentleman. His French name is Monsieur Globetrotteur.

Mr. Passenger had been waiting for this special train for many years. He finally gets to ride it when Simon discovers it. He is a great companion for Simon's journeys.

Mélanie: The Adventurous Cat

With Mr. Passenger is his clever cat named Mélanie. She is always part of the adventure. Mélanie has a special spot.

She always rides right on top of Mr. Passenger's tall stove pipe hat. She sees everything from up there!

Stella: The Star-Haired Girl

Each episode also introduces a character named Stella. She is easy to spot because she has star-shaped hair. Stella is a very unique character.

Her role changes in every episode. For example, she might be a mermaid in an underwater adventure. But no matter what, her star-shaped hair always stays the same.

The Secret Railroad Theme Song Lyrics

The show has a catchy theme song. It tells you what the show is all about. It invites you to join the adventure.

When you are feeling blue,

When you are feeling down.

Just do what Simon did;

Go underground.

Down there in the dark,

You hear a happy sound.

It's the secret railroad.

Adventure bound!

You better climb on board

the train's about to leave.

All you need is a passenger.

Your tickets, please!

English Episode Names

Here is a list of the English names for the episodes. These titles give you an idea of the fun adventures Simon and his friends had.

• A cat's eye view
• A funny thing happened on the way to the railroad
• Animal trackers
• Back track
• Blue...genies...blues!
• Bridging the gaps
• Double Simon or quits
• Elementary my dear passenger
• Engine ills
• Fitting the parts
• Flights of fancy
• Ghost train
• Go wild west young man
• Gold rush railroad
• Hot the only way to travel
• I spy with my little train
• Invisible...man!
• Joly Roger railroad
• Mer-train
• Mr.Passenger's bag
• Near myths
• Next stop wherever
• Out of seasons
• Railroad puzzles
• Railway rhythms
• Reversible railroad
• Robin Dude
• Robot riddles?
• Rocky ride
• Safari so good
• Saturday night steam
• Scaredy cat
• Simon's secret
• Simon, Melanie, Stella, Mr.Passenger
• Slap control stick
• Smoke signals
• Spaced out Liliput
• Special railroad effects
• Stationary passenger
• Stealing the show
• Stella in space
• Stellapatra
• Super Sam
• Talking the night train
• The abonimable snow child
• The great train game
• The last train in toyland
• The musical ride
• The spirit of the railroad
• The talking train
• Things that go bump in the tunnel
• Time machine train
• Tooth tracks
• Train bug
• Train in training
• Trainsylvania
• U.F.O...Oh!...Oh!
• Unwelcome on board
• Where there's smoke there's a dragon
• Which way switch
• Whistle stop tours