he route of the train will roughly follow the red line shown in the photo on The Route page. It will be approximately 1.2 miles in total length. The Eldridge Park train will not be simply a ride around the park, but will provide much needed inter-park transportation between the various parking lots, pavillions, and the Carousel. Next year, we should begin the construction of several picnic pavillions, and a large corporate pavillion.

The train will be 3/4 scale, and will run on 36 inch gauge track. It won't be a little park choo-choo. It will weigh approximately 10 tons! As you can see from the photo above, it's going to be very large! The locomotive will be built from an actual steam locomotive frame and running gear, but will be powered by a V6, or small V8 engine and Hydostatic drive in the tender. It will look and sound like a real steam loco, which will pull 2 to 4 open bench seat passenger cars. It will run on 20 pound rail and concrete ties. The cost of the locomotive alone will be about $220,000 and is expected to be a lenghy and very expensive project.

The photo above depicts what the locomotive is expected to look like. We plan to add a lot of bright trim, and a solid oak cab and running boards. The train will be parked at night behind the storage buildings within it's own enclosure.

Please stay tuned to this web page for upcoming announcements and progress reports.