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'.
7 comments:
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.
Something about miniature railroads… people just love them. I do too, but it’s inexplicable and nearly universal.
I hope Steve D checks in today, I want to know all the differences between the C.K. Hollidaze.
I love the Zooliner/Aerotrain, did we see a bit of it in a recent post? I remember the passenger car windows down low in the sides?
Thanks Major, that mystery shot is too great! I love the kid’s face.
JG
JG, the major difference between the two engines, of course, is that the Disneyland C.K. Holliday is actually steam operated! The one pictured has two diesel "Blomberg" trucks, one under the smokebox, acting like pilot wheels, and one under the tender. The gothic cab windows are an interesting touch. I don't care much for the rest of the engine's decoration!
The last picture appears to be a Chance Rides "C.P. Huntington," which roam around many parks and zoos throughout the country, and which can still be purchased today! The actual C.P. Huntington currently resides in honored glory at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.
I guess most Junior Gorillas aren’t that thrilled by today’s pix!
JB, I guess that color scheme on the C.K. Holliday is *different*, but the yellow is kind of weird too. However it is not so weird that I am writing a complaint to Reader’s Digest (where I always complain). Good point, there is no way that the Zooliner is a mere 5/8 scale to the real Aerotrain, those things were huge. I didn’t really catch that (obviously) when I quoted that text. I wonder if anybody was ever actually tied to railroad tracks like in those olde time melodramas? I hope not!
JG, kids seem to have a fascination for machines in general, especially big machines. Even humble trash trucks can get a small child excited! So maybe that is a tiny part of what eventually becomes a real admiration for trains, and everything that goes with them (the clothing, the stations, the paraphernalia)? Maybe that young boy in photo #3 grew up to be a train fan!
Steve DeGaetano, I can understand the desire to not deal with a real steam locomotive at a zoo or amusement park (as much as I love real steam locos), I’m sure the diesel versions are much easier and cheaper to maintain. I’d rather have the diesel locomotives than none at all, I guess. I agree, those gothic cab windows are interesting! I knew that the train in the last picture was just one of many that looked just like it, but hey, it’s still nice.
Yeah, Major, this post didn't seem to generate much steam.
(See what I did there?)
Just because I don’t always comment doesn’t mean I’m not interested, Major. I’m not knowledgeable on much, so I keep checking back to read what others have to say. Am never disappointed.
BTW, that one train sure resembles the Viewliner, a lot.
Lou and Sue, Bob Gurr was heavily influenced by the Aerotrain when he designed the Viewliner.
Whoever wrote the "5/8th scale" blurb also must have been influenced by the frequent descriptions of the Disneyland trains.
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