This is the train that started it all for me, but what could it be?

[BASSOFeeSH]

People from Chicagoland might be familiar with this, but the ONE thing that originally sparked my interest in trains was the "ride" at Kiddieland in Melrose Park, IL.

This following links are to a page(not mine) that has several photos of it:
Eddie's Rail Fan Page: Evening departure for the Kiddieland Limited. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. June 2007.
Eddie's Rail Fan Page: The Kiddieland Limited at night. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. September 2006.
Eddie's Rail Fan Page: Passengers disembarking the Kiddieland Limited. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. September 2006.
Eddie's Rail Fan Page: Eastbound Kiddieland Limited approaching the boarding station. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. August 2006.
Eddie's Rail Fan Page: Night time train ride on the Kiddieland Limited. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. September 2006.
Eddie's Rail Fan Page: The Kiddiieland Limited departing on another run. Kiddieland Amusememt Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. July 2006.

From doing a bit of research, the color scheme seems to be pretty close to the Southern Pacific Daylight colors. The red seems to be a bit of a truer red, and the locomotive detailing is different though. Is it closer to something else?

In my intro thread, I mentioned that I'd like to (and am allowed to ) have a train running along the wall/ceiling. THIS is what I'd like to emulate, so any help on identifying the Locomotive would be a great start.

 

[Ralph]

That's great! I rode a train like that at the Catskill Game Farm in upstate NY as a kid...although I don't recall if it actually ran on tracks...must have.

Yep, things like that can spark a life long interest and hobby!

I like the loco scheme too!
Ralph

 

[Dave R.]

I'm gonna quess it's an EMD F2a.
Dave

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

That is a Miniature Train Company G-16.
They were a 1/5 scale EMD F2 or F3.
The Original Parktrains Website

Here is one for sale.
For Sale

Another that was listed on Ebay.
Rare G-16 For sale. A-B Unit plus 3 cars. - (eBay item 320162828240 end time Oct-02-07 14:23:25 PDT)

 

[BASSOFeeSH]

Great info!

 

[Dave R.]

From the previous posted attachment:
"The 16" gauge G-16 is essentially a scale model of EMD's F2 diesel locomotive, with a few liberties taken to make the thing function as a park train --"

Don't mean to boast but as a newbie it's a wonderful thing to have ones hours of research pay-off. ;o) The three portholes were the give away.
I live in Cent. Fl, maybe I'll call the gentleman and see if I could have a look. It's a little big for my "N" scale layout.
Dave

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

I live in Cent. Fl, maybe I'll call the gentleman and see if I could have a look.
Dave

That would be neat to see in person.
Here's another related site. One of the pages on this site shows the motor and drive train of the loco.
MTC Trains
I stumbled across these sites the other day when I did a search after seeing the one listed on Ebay.

 

[Dave R.]

I'll take pictures if I can. In fact, there's a mini-train running at a small Zoo just a couple of miles from my house; I've never thought to check it out!
Just read that some F3's also had three port holes, so my guess was a little less brillent and a little more luck.
Dave

 

[BASSOFeeSH]

My only experience has been with HO, but that was 20 years ago. Am I correct in thinking that anything larger would require ridiculously large curves to handle passenger cars?

 

[Dave R.]

I'm useing a 19 inch radius for my "N" scale passenger train and thats almost too tight.

 

[Dave R.]

Basso, I did a cursory search on loco's and it don't look good.
You're going to have to do a paint job on any loco (and coach's) you buy. There are no "N" scale F2's but you could drill a third porthole in an F3. Model Power makes an H0 F2 (big radius, but easier to paint)
OR you could just buy something else you like off the shelf and have fun. It might be fun to "bash" this train later but I'd get SOMETHING running, asap, while the 'permission' is amicable.
Hang a nicely framed picture of the G-16 on the wall for now. ;0)
Good luck,
Dave

 

[BASSOFeeSH]

I don't know anything about brand quality, but it seems that Stewart makes an F3 that looks pretty similar.(i.e. dual headlights)

Bowser


As far as permission goes, I have permission to put this up in the basement once we design the room layouts and put up drywall. i.e. not for months at the earliest. That doesn't have to stop me from purchasing some stuff though.

 

[eightyeightfan1]

That's great! I rode a train like that at the Catskill Game Farm in upstate NY as a kid...although I don't recall if it actually ran on tracks...must have.

Ralph

Yep me too Ralph(Catskill Game farm was an annual family outing for years). Rode that same train. It did run on tracks. Storytown USA up at Lake George has(had?) one also.

 

[Triplex]

The Bowser model is a Phase I F3. I don't know if there are any external differences between the F2 and F3 - the main difference is that the F2 has the same engine as the FT.

 

[Ralph]

Ed! Thanks for verifying a childhood memory! I'd forgotten about Story Town...I rode that one as well!
Ralph

 

[Dave R.]

The FT has a "noticeable overhang" beyond the rear truck and of course the four close portholes (sometimes five on the B unit, right hand side only), four stacks as opposed to two on other EMD cabs and a large square structure on the cab if dynamic brakes are present. Whew!
The F2 and F3 models are distinguishable, if at all, by the side panels. F2's have three portholes and only some F3, all are subject to alteration.*
Dave
*See: Diesel Spotters Guide, Jerry Pinkepank

 

[BASSOFeeSH]

Well it's been almost a year and there's still no progress made on the basement, but I've started collecting HO equipment for this project.(and running it around on the floor :cry I also went ahead and took my OWN pictures at Kiddieland.

To my pleasant surprise, they were also running their <supposedly> custom-built steam locomotive. Here are some pictures of both:






Was there anything even vaguely similar to the passenger cars running with the steam engine? How about the steam engine itself?
thanks!

[edit]I forgot to include the videos I took as well if anyone's interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcqpvPlSmzI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQXPviDzMEw

 

[iis612]

I don't know if Kiddieland still has it running, but they had the 14" guage live steam engine too. That was an awesome replica of a NYC Hudson with some liberties taken with the colors.
I live within an hour of kiddieland, and in all the times I have gone past it, I have yet to see the steamer running, but it is in their tv commercials.
Here you can see more pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9948354@N08/2756118557/


Matt

 

[iis612]

I suppose I should read all of the thread before I start typing...ops:

 

[BASSOFeeSH]

Some other guy in the parking lot told me that they are running the steam engine on the weekends. I took those last pics on Sunday.