Amusement Park Trains

[NJPiney]

https://books.google.com/books?id=oB4EA ... in&f=false

Dietchs' Farm was apparently also known as Dietchs' Kiddie Zoo. I've just found both names used in various online articles.I found the above reference in a trade magazine to the park and it's attractions. Three quarters way though the article it notes a narrow gauge train ride, pulled by one of several pre-1900 Baldwins converted to gas engines. Perhaps the one on display, which I also found online, was no longer working and taken out of service. As is often the case with Google Books pages, you will likely need to click on the magnifying glass icon to read the article.

Here is another link to a page in a book. https://books.google.com/books?id=nH2iA ... in&f=false

[Roy]

Dietchs' Farm was apparently also known as Dietchs' Kiddie Zoo. I've just found both names used in various online articles.I found the above reference in a trade magazine to the park and it's attractions. Three quarters way though the article it notes a narrow gauge train ride, pulled by one of several pre-1900 Baldwins converted to gas engines. Perhaps the one on display, which I also found online, was no longer working and taken out of service.

I know that a number of park trains have steam locos that are actually gas powered. Some have the engine drivers hydraulically operated. I believe that's the case with Hong Kong Disneyland's locos.

I don't know why there are so few pictures of your park, unless they didn't allow cameras. Even then, you'd expect some official photos.

I'm no expert on amusement parks, but there are many such people online. You might ask over at Burnsland. Steve DeGaetano, Steve Burns, or one of the others there may know, or may be able to point you to who might.

[healey36]

Central Park, New York, during the last century:



Healey

[J. S. Bach]

That conductor(?) does not look much older that some of the passengers!

[Roy]

Central Park, New York, during the last century

Wonderful picture Healey!. Thank you. I didn't know they had such rides, in Central Park. They had similar trains on Coney Island.

[rogruth]

Dollywood has full size narrow gauge trains from, I think, Alaska.
Nice ride.

[healey36]

The much-loved train ride at Gwynn Oak Park in Baltimore:



Gwynn Oak was a trolley park on the western outskirts of Baltimore City. It closed in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The mythology of the park has the train in storage somewhere in Baltimore City, but it's never turned up (at least as far as I know).

My grandfather would take me over there for a day each summer. The trolley ride was almost as much fun as the park. They had a great old wooden roller coaster there...you had to check your fillings after getting off that thing, lol!

Healey

[Roy]

The much-loved train ride at Gwynn Oak Park in Baltimore

Thanks again, Healey. I like the F-unit, especially in that sharp B&O paint scheme.

[Roy]

Phoenix's Enchanted Island Express:



The Scorpion Express at London's Chessington World of Adventure:

[Roy]

This nice Pacific pulls the train at the Dresden Großer Garten:

[Roy]

Detroit Zoo:

[Roy]

Michigan AuSable Valley Railroad:

[John Webster]

Thanks Roy. I remember riding behind those streamlined steam engines at the Detroit Zoo in the late 50s.

[healey36]

Coney Island:

[Roy]

Thanks, Healey. I like that picture. It really shows the cars used c. 1900. Like sleighs on flatcars.