Miniature Railroads
Everybody loves a train! Except for that lady that is always getting tied to the tracks, and I guess you can't blame her for her negative bias. Miniature railroads have been popular attractions at many zoos as parks around the country, and they still are.
This first slide is dated "August, 1971" and features a locomotive - the Mini-Train - at Gage Park in Topeka, Kansas. Notice that this train is the Cyrus K. Holliday. I've heard that name someplace before! Makes sense, since Cyrus was the founder of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. The mini-train has been an integral part of the sights and sounds of Gage Park for over 45 years. Follow a mile-long scenic course through the heart of the park, as the engineer enlightens you on the history of Gage Park. The locomotive below is diesel-powered, but Gage Park replaced the diesel locos with electric versions from Chance Amusement in 2023.
Next is this nice photo of the "Zooliner" at the Portland Zoo. a miniature version of the General Motors "Aerotrain" (which was not a success, but boy did it look cool). The Zooliner is a 5/8-scale replica of the diesel-powered Aerotrain, which is famous for its unusual shape that was influenced by automobile designs of the period when it was built, considered futuristic at the time. The Zooliner was built in 1958... It first carried passengers in June 1958. The Zooliner is powered by a 165 horsepower (123 kW) diesel engine with hydraulic transmission, which is WP&ZRy locomotive No. 2. The brakes are pneumatic, the same as on its full-size namesake. The train includes four or five streamlined passenger coaches pulled by matching locomotive No. 2. The rearmost car was rebuilt in late 2005 to resemble a dome car, in connection with installation of a larger and more powerful wheelchair lift. Track gauge is 30 inches, 2'-6".
And finally, another photo I threw in because why the heck not? It shows a mysterious miniature locomotive, location unknown, though the slide mount is labeled "Zoo train, June 1963". Beyond that, I got nothin'.
1 comment:
Interesting, and striking, color scheme on this C.K. Holliday. I like the scrollwork on the headlight support. I wonder what the significance of the 'Cupid' artwork is, on the headlight?
The Zooliner is 5/8 scale? Looks more like 1/8 scale! It does look cool though. I rode one of the Portland Zoo trains circa 1980. I don't remember it looking all streamlined like this one though. The size seems to be the same.
What a cute little red locomotive! The brasswork adds to the 'cuteness', and elegance.
I know that tying ladies to railroad tracks was a fairly common theme in silent movies. But when I think of ladies tied to tracks I always think of Nell Fenwick. Thanks, Major.
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