Friday, July 21, 2006

Knott's Berry Farm Train, 1960



Here's another one for Tangaroa...Images of the wonderful steam train at Knott's Berry Farm are not hard to find, but I posted this because you can see the tiny bit of the Calico Mine Train, still under construction in this August 1960 photo. The addition of the Calico Mine Train and the Log Ride really transformed Knott's into a "real" amusement park. My family loved these rides! If you've ever seen photos or postcards of the old "scenic railways" from places such as the old Venice Pier (in the early 1900's), you can conclude that the Calico Mine Train is a great-grandson (much improved) of those fire traps!

4 comments:

Amazon Belle said...

This is an interesting photo too! It looks as if the Train Depot sat next to the water tower (is that what I'm seeing?). I never knew it was over there. I guess construction of the Timber Mountain Log Ride forced its relocation. Does any one know for sure?

Chris Merritt said...

Looks like they were pretty far along in construction there - neat to see that in color! All my construx pics are in black & white. I'll have to print this out & show it to Bud HUrlbut next time I see him....

Good eye Amazon Belle! They did move it, but I'm unsure as to when. My best guess is they moved it in 1969 to make room for the Log Ride - but that's just a guess. I'll have to dig a bit to try & find out...

I love Scenic Railways! The various Los Angeles piers & Coney Island seemed to have the most ornate ones...

Amazon Belle said...

Thanks Tangaroa! I knew you would know something about it.

Major Pepperidge said...

Tangaroa, I have a better picture of the construction (in color) that I will post one of these days, it's probably a bit later than this one. I've been saving it for a slow day!