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Dan,

I remember Kiddieland Park.  I went there a a kid and even got to take our kids there many years later.  The engines at Hesston sure look to be the same ones and I am sure that somebody will verify that in a short time.  

I looked at your profile and see that you live in western suburbs of Chicago.  Since there isn't a Bears game today why not come out and visit our layout.  Its FREE and you can probably get there in about 45 minutes.  

 

Details in the link below.

http://www.hirailmodulartrainclub.com/

 

Coaster Mountain looks like some real fun.  I'd be tempted to give it a try, if I'd fit into the cars and if it still existed.  Unfortunately, I doubt it would pass insurance muster these days.  Was it part of the Melrose Park operation or was it located somewhere else?

It sure does!

Can you imagine what it would be like today? Either through stupidity, or lack of physical ability, riders would be falling off left and right, Then they'd sue. It's a shame.

I got curious and did a little surfing. There are modern equivalents out there.

Last edited by C W Burfle

There was a coaster at the ski resorts outside of Salt Lake City back in the late 70's and early 80's. The guys at National Semiconductor in West Jordan would go there and see how fast they could travel down the hill. Coming back to work with one arm in a sling earned bragging rights. They guy who came back with his arm in a cast had even better bragging rights.

C W Burfle posted:

Can you imagine what it would be like today? Either through stupidity, or lack of physical ability, riders would be falling off left and right, Then they'd sue. It's a shame.

I got curious and did a little surfing. There are modern equivalents out there.

I've done the Seven Spring Alpine Slide several times. If you hold the brakes back you almost hit warp speeds. Seen several go airborne !

 

Alpine Slide at Seven Springs Mountain Resort from Seven Springs and Hidden Valley on Vimeo.

Now this one looks even better!

 

 

Jerry

 

N&W Class J posted:

I'm glad Hesston got both engines and that they are together again.  Sad that Kiddieland is gone now.

Hesston also got the 14" gauge live steam railroad from the late Elliot Donnelly's "home railroad" at his estate in Lake Forrest, IL. His Wagoner Hudson was a real pleasure to run, and Elliot sure liked to run fast. The Wagoner Manufacturing Co. also made those 4-8-4 Kiddyland locomotives. 

Edit:  Not to mention ALL the steel rail from the Donnelly's railroad.

Last edited by Hot Water
Sam Jumper posted:
Hot Water posted: 
Houston also got the 14" gauge live steam railroad from the late Elliot Donnelly's "home railroad" at his estate in Lake Forrest, IL. 

 

Would this be the same Donnelly who had some kind of pull behind the Brookfield Zoo Railroad? 

Yes. Elliot had two major passions; steam and deep sea fishing. By the way, does Donnelly Printing Company ring a bell?

PRR Man posted:

By the way, does Donnelly Printing Company ring a bell?

R.R. Donnelly & Co ? whoa! 

That's the company! That's also why Elliot never "worked" as long as I knew him. When he was home, he was with is steam engines, and when he wasn't home, he was someplace around the world deep see fishing. He was also partly responsible for many steam excursions on the CB&Q, all the way to the D&RGW narrow gauge in Colorado. Elliot was also personally responsible for a number of steam locomotive acquisitions and donations to the Illinois Railway Museum and the Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana.

SantaFeJim posted:

Dan,

I remember Kiddieland Park.  I went there a a kid and even got to take our kids there many years later.  The engines at Hesston sure look to be the same ones and I am sure that somebody will verify that in a short time.  

I looked at your profile and see that you live in western suburbs of Chicago.  Since there isn't a Bears game today why not come out and visit our layout.  Its FREE and you can probably get there in about 45 minutes.  

 

Details in the link below.

http://www.hirailmodulartrainclub.com/

 

Thanks for the invite.I had plans for today,but I will try to get out there some time soon.

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