Amusement Park Train Website Updated

[mthidemann]

I recently completed an update on my Amusement Park Train website. The listing now includes over 500 railroads in the US and Canada. A new feature I added is links to videos (mostly Youtube) on the internet. Over 80% of the railroads have video links.

As always, let me know about any additional railroads and I am always looking for trip reports and pictures to add.

[url]http://members.trainorders.com/mthidemann/

Thanks

Mike Thidemann
Lenexa, KS
[e-mail]

[samfp1943]

First of all!  Welcome, Mike: 

http://members.trainorders.com/mthidemann/

Copied to activate link

Really an interesting site that you have compiled!    Congratulations!

Some months back I was looking on You Tube, and came across this linked video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj5ZaQOAfIE

One of several videos showing Cagney Locomotives in action at  different venues.

    The video was of a project to rebuild a Class D Steam locomotive(s) built by the Cagney Locomotive Co. It was a 15" track and was one of the locomotives that had run at the Coney Island Amusement Park in New York.  Mainly, I guess I had never heard of a Cagney Locomotive, and a Class D? Had not heard that designation either. You have a few Cagney Operators in you lists, They are some very interesting sights and amazing workmanship in those small engines.

    The site of Wasatch Locomotive Rebuilders in Cheyenne, Wy. was in itself pretty interesting. I mean, to have shop projects that involved engines like UP's 3985 and then the Cagney Projects and other overseas was pretty interesting in its' own right!

This is their linked site:  http://projects.wrrc.us/?tag=steam-locomotive

And then to see your list of Amusement Park Trains was really amazing.

Thanks for posting it here!

 

[JamesP]

Hi Sam,

I thought you might be interested in a little history I gleaned from an intro in a Cagney repro catalog written by Nick Wantiez... I paraphrased it and shortened it down for the forum.

Cagney was an early mfg of park trains, the first company to build in any quantity.  Their history traces back to 1885 when the McGarigles built their first miniature train.  It attracted the attention of Timothy Cagney, a businessman who recognized the opportunity to sell McGarigle's miniature trains for amusement purposes.  In 1898 Timothy and two of his brothers formed the Miniature Railroad Company, and in 1899 they introduced two new, heavier locomotives to better haul the crowds that the little trains attracted.  The Class C was 12-5/8" gauge, the Class D was 15" gauge.  The Class D was upgraded in 1903 and the Class E 22" gauge was introduced in 1904.  The steamers were produced through '24, gasoline powered locos being introduced the year before.  I'm not sure if any trains were produced after the advent of WWII, but the company supplied military hardware during the war and went out of business in '48.

Sam, like you I find them very interesting!  I know that some railfans turn their nose up at park trains, but many - such as the Cagneys - were built in the golden age of steam, contemporary to the prototype.  I have been fortunate to see Cagneys built in 1904, International Miniatures built in 1906-07, not to mention others that were built during the steam era.  Many of these are restored and running, and often they are older than many of today's operating prototype steamers.  They are working steam locomotives that were built for revenue service, and often ran for years, outlasting their standard gauge siblings.  Due to their size, they are more easily rescued and restored by individuals than a full-sized locomotive.  They are good way to introduce today's youth to the wonder of steam trains!  Of course, I'm biased since I have a couple of 12" gauge engines myself - one of which is in my profile picture.  The new one is a 1946 Ottaway (rebuilt from a basketcase), the old one is of unknown origin... guesses put its construction between the turn of the century maybe up to the '20's.

Anyway, I'm glad that Mike posted his park train website here, even if strictly speaking they aren't from the prototype train realm.  They are still part of railroad history, and worthy of some attention and research.

 - James

[samfp1943]

To JamesP:: I really appreciate your effort and posting on the Class D Cagney Locomotives. I am sorry I could not get back to you soone, have been out of town for the last couple of days.

I have never been actively engaged in the construction of a live steamer n any gauge, but have been fortunate to be on the sidelines as some have been operated. In early 1960's I worked in a Memphis Hobby Shop, the owners of which were very much involved in the Memphis area in many areas of the Hobby. I was fortunate to make a couple of trips to Whitehall,Ar. to view the operations at a Mr. Austin Barr's rice fram and home. He had a live steamer that was large enough to ride on and I think he had a smaller gauge live steamer on a raised track, with som effort it could be driven by a riding engineer(?).

Found the following link which mentioned Mr. Barr, and his steamers and railroad:

http://www.midsouthlivesteamers.org/History/index.html

Just to whet your live steamer appetite! THis linked site THE TWO FOOTERS website:  http://www.docstoc.com/docs/27431145/THE-TWO-FOOTERS

scroll down to the heading:"Descanso,Alpine& Pacific"  The story is about a private set-up in Texas featuring some former SAR railway engines and equipment  of 2' gauge: a 63ton Garratt,67 ton 'Mike'   and a number of other items with SAR heritage,

this link is to a Thread from 10/2009 on the Garratt ( there is a photo on one of the links in that Thread).

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/160916/1773201.aspx

Now THAT is a 'live steam' Operation!  Too Cool!

 

Thanks!