SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => General Silver Dollar City Talk => Topic started by: crsjrr on November 06, 2008, 08:14:38 PM
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With the talk of a new area being developed near the site of the current train robbery, it has been mentioned that the railroad would be more of a transportation system then a "ride". How many locomotives and sets of cars are there. As a transportation system, would there be a demand or need for more frequent arrivals and departures per hour? Is it possible to have more than one train on the line at a time. As a transportation system, and not a "ride", would there be a need for a more enclosed weather proof cars? Any talk of upgrading the trains with larger locomotives? Maybe steam engines with a more typical wheel arrangement and a tender? If CC is redeveloped, I'd vote for a train, but make sure it would be something similar in size to SDC or larger. Some parks have the smaller trains seen a zoo's or local parks, just don't seem like a major amusement park train. Any thoughts?
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I don't think they'd need to change anything with the trains - adding another station would be all. They currently run two trains at once, so capacity should stay the same even with an added station. The trains currently have to stop mid-way and re-fuel, so a new station would just replace the old robbery scene.
When this finally happens, I'll really miss the robbery. It's just a little cheesy, but it's really fun and adds a lot of warmth to the ride and the park experience as a whole. I miss the little things like that that used to be everywhere around the park. Also, the sing-along-train at Christmas will never be the same.
Meh, progress. I will be happy when there's a massive new coaster over in that area to ride.
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I'm assuming that SDC does not even have a third train...do they?
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^SDC has three (working) locomotives with two sets of cars. So they rotate the locomotives around - two running, and one down for maintenance.
I still hate the idea of turning the Frisco Silver Dollar Line into a transportation ride. Sadly a lot seem to suggest thats Dollywood's eventual plan for their magnificent train as well.
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Yep. lol. Would hate to see something that was built and designed to transport people be used to transport people. ;)
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I SAW THIS POSTED AT UsedRides.com. ANYONE KNOW IF THE TRACK AT SDC WOULD BE THE RIGHT GAUGE. MAYBE IT COULD BE BACK DATED. MAYBE IT WOULD FIT IN WITH THE RUMORED NEW AREA? LOOKS PRETTY FANCY, MORE OF A PEOPLE MOVER THAN A TRAIN RIDE. WOULD LOOK AT HOME ON THE MAIN STREET AT CC/??
Description: REDUCED!!! Beautiful 24" gauge demonstrator model trolley with only 100 hours of service, styled after the famous "San Francisco" styled trolleys with half open air seating and half cabin seating, built by Custom Locomotive Corp. The trolley is approximately 6' wide x 25 feet long x 9' high, with ample head room for a 6'-8" tall person to walk inside and be comfortably seated. The unit is wheel chair accessible and powered by a Perkins 104-22 diesel engine with automatic hydrostatic drive. A Bendix 2 cylinder air compressor with automatic condensation blowdown provides air to the dual fail safe air brake system. The trolley's entire interior as well as the exterior trim are all solid mahogany wood with etched glass slide down windows and solid brass trim, interior lighting, and PA system. There is a sign board on each side near the front of the trolley for your advertisement purposes. The diesel engine provides enough power to pull 2 additional trail cars if desired. Price reduced for immediate sale to only $90,000
Contact: Gary Nathan at 678-656-8313 404-924-9976 or garynathan@bellsouth.net
Ad Owner: By Owner
Ad Posted: 9/24/2008 Ad Category: Major Rides Ad Reference Number: 34865
(http://i466.photobucket.com/albums/rr21/crsjrr/trolley14.jpg)
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I have no idea where it could be put, but a trolley could almost work with the Grand Exposition on its own independent circuit. I was thinking that it could have a Bonnie and Clyde robbery, especially if the train was used for transport. Several problems, 1.) where would it go and 2.) Bonnie and Clyde is in the 1920-1930s. I like the trolley though.
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That would have worked with Celebration City... too bad that park is now closed :(
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Haven't you seen the authentic trolley system that takes us to the parking lots? They're just like the old time trolleys. Except for the rubber tires. And the diesel engines. And the...
Seriously, the trolley in the picture would be really great at CC - for when it reopens as, as, well...as something.
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so weird to even think of the train as it is now being gone. The line for the train is almost always one of the longest in the parks. At Christmas time the line goes on forever. This is one move that i think SDC needs to re-look into. Who ever rides the train at Six Flags? No one. There are times like this when I worry about SDC becoming more of an Amusement park than a theme park.
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Who ever rides the train at Six Flags? No one.
Exactly! The multi-station park train rides are really seen as more of a utility than a "must experience" ride/attraction.
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Man...I've been reading these posts and wondering. We haven't heard anything about this. And I know some who would have heard if there were anything to it. No changes to the train at all that we are aware of, and it's not going away. No new area out on the tracks either; all capital expenditures have been tabled for now, so there is no new development.
There have been no company releases or inter-office memos indicating such changes that I am aware of. I don't know where you heard this, and I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing to it.
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^I hope you're right, Zephon. I heard rumors on this site only that the robbery was going away and a second station was being built so the train would transport guests between the main park and a new area. If this is in the works I would think it would be way down the road. The RiverBattle is the main attraction for a totally revamped Tom Sawyer's Landing, which is a major expenditure. The next major expenditure, I'm assuming, will be a new coaster. Also I'm betting SDC/HFE will be spending major cash to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary in 2010.
The only way I could see a second station being built is to transport guests to a new area of the park. Due to the expenditures listed above I don't see this happening anytime soon, if at all.
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All this talk originated from a post a long time ago stating that a concept was submitted long ago dealing with a new train station and a new area on the hill past PK. It's not even a rumor at this point, I hope no one got confused. It will be many, many years before they even think about messing with the train, but it's come up at DW so it will eventually come up at SDC too.
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Right. If anything, it's a long ways off.
It would be interesting though. I've thought for years that a small village out on the loop, that gets back to the basics of frontier living and crafts might be workable. Maybe a small army post/fort, with Indians camped about. You know they used to have a resident Indian that had a teepee set up right in front of the Leather shop years ago. They kind of tried this with the "Land of Forgotten Crafts" but missed by a mile. The idea, at least in my view, would be to get away from the "commercialism" that has become the main emphasis of town. I wouldn't put any rides out there, but I would leave the train robbery intact for the return trip.
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I'm with you Zephon, I still think the Williams Gap area would be great for that, although, I personally wouldn't mind a new float trip, or a return of a stage line. But as low tech and green as possable. I want to hear birds and axes chopping, not recorded CCS music.
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I don't men to be a buzzkill here, BUT... to be honest with you, I don't see attendance numbers getting any better next year. Look at CF, they are posting profits left and right, not to mention builing a B&M Hyper at KI and a new Wodie at WOF. Even Six flags is expanding. It bugs me that HFE is having troubles in a market that they seem to be the only real ones loosing in.
I just don't see thinkgs getting any better for them. Don't get me wrong, I like the parks, even buy season passes every year, but something is very wrong.. :)
BTW, if they want another train, there is an od stem engine posted on the bulletin board at the Men's center at the Springfield Downtown YMCA.
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Mike Kelly87- you evil evil man. 8) Ya know. . . you just had the guts to say something that we all should have said. What is wrong with the SDC business model?
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't SDC bring in just under 3 million visitors a year?
Doesn't SDC charge rent and/or get a percentage of profit from all of their stores?
Are they selling food for too cheap? Do they need to charge for parking? Are they too employee intensive?
Everytime that I was at the park, it was full and it sure seemed that people were spending money. What is going on?
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Does anyone have any information on the history of the Locomotives I've only pieced some bits togeather can anyone add to my mental libary? Basicaly what I have now is
*They were built in the 1930's
*They are german natives
*They run on 2ft or "mountain" gauge used to move livestock in east germany
*3 Engines were purchased in 1960 including the 2, 0-2-0 engines running today and a 2-3-0 with tender.
*They are fired with NO.2 Diesel fuel
*Their top speed is 12 MPH
Anything anyone else knows?
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^Icabod Peabody drove an engine too fast around that far corner once and wrecked the engine... but that's ok we dusted him off and liquored him up and he is back driving the train again.
Hey Icabod if you are up there give me 3 toots on the whistle *toot* toot*
Icabod I said 3! He was never very good with numbers, why just the other day I asked "hey Icabod what's 2 + 2" He told me 4 -- see what I mean! I mean everyone knows that 3 + 1 is 4.
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I LOVE that line, when I was little I used to have the whole trip and robbery memorized
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The line's been modified a bit over the years, but it's pretty much been the same over time.
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Your now entering Pottersville, Missouri... you're now leaving Pottersville, Missouri
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Population 3...well it used to be 4 but the dog ran off...
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^Dog Gone. They call him the German Shepard of the Hills.
Ladies and Gentlemen as a reminder, please keep your hands feet and arms inside the train at all times as we are entering rattlesnake territory, why just the other day a 200lb Rattleheadedcoppermoccasin jumped up and grabbed a lady by the arm and pulled her off the train. We haven't seen her or the snake ever since, but we've seen her husband. Yep, just the other day I saw him down at the Silver Dollar Saloon buying rounds of rootbeer drinks for everyone singing "Happy Days are Here Again"
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Ladies turn your heads...ladies I said the other way...I just saw a lady in car No. 3 take a picture!
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Quick! Look to the left - what do you see? Trees!
Look to your right - what do you see? More trees!
Know why?
You're in the forest!
Run, Forrest, run!
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Ladies turn your heads...ladies I said the other way...I just saw a lady in car No. 3 take a picture!
I don't who flashed who. ;D
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Whatever happened to the Nate versus Lever joke? I remember that one from my first trip back in '94 and it's never left my mind.
Joy
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Back in the 70's, I did a stint as a conductor. Our rifles were cliped to the back of the train and one day a guest leaned his arm back and knocked the rifle out of the clip and it went tumbling off the side of the train. When I got to the robbers shack I was unarmed. Joel (the robber was quick to note the fact) whispered for me to take his gun, a non firing prop. Then came his line, "You not gona' shoot me with that thing are you"?
I then spun the chamber which fell out onto the ground
"Nope" was my response. No one could thing what to say next.
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^Great story! Gotta love the unexpected moments. :D
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That is a great story, nothing like busting out laughing in the middle of class...being the only one....
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Okay, I know SteamFreak is going to like this. And, I am sorry, but the fact that no one knew this should make us all question our knowledge of SDC.
I found out some more information regarding the steam locomotive that is on display across from the station. I think it was Steam that even found a postcard on ebay recently showing it in use at SDC in a different paint that what it currently is in. Well, this information comes from... wait for it... The Story of Silver Dollar City by Crystal Payton. A friend of mine bought a copy of this last time we all were down there.
I was at there house tonight (bored) flipping through the book and found this on page 54-58:
"From the beginning the Herschends took their projets and reinvested them in the City. Adventure Town of Alexandria Bay, New York, a frontier-themed amusement park, was making way for a golf course and their equipment was for sale. Pete saw the ad in Amusement Business magazine so they sent him to buy a train. He brought the Davy Crockett Express, a narrow gauge railroad including locomotive and tender ($15,000) and their two stagecoaches ($5,000) back to the City for the 1962 season.
The coaches each had a story: one had been made in New Hampshire in 1888; the other was a Tally-Ho road coach once owned by the Vanderbilts. They had been held up on every trip through Adventure Town. The train was something special. It had been used by Henry Ford's grandchildren to learn the rudiments of steam locomotive operation. According to the Greenfield Museum at Dearborn, Michigan, it had cost Henry Ford over $60,000 to re-design this locomotive to duplicate the 4-4-2 engine. A favorite attraction at Adventure Town, it, too, had been held up by masked men on horses on every outing.
The train was a dandy addition to the young city but it took some time and ingenuity to get it into operation. It couldn't quite climb the grade back up to its new station. It kept sliding back down the hill, wheels churning furiously, setting fire to the surrounding trees. The problem was solved in a classic frontier-theme-park style when it whistled into operation in 1962. While the boilers built up steam for the uphill push, Ozark outlow Alf Bolin, and his gang held up the train's passengers. "
Okay, there we go. There is a good picture on page 54 in this book. I will try to scan it in this week and post it. There also are a couple of pictures of it on the website of Adventure Town: http://www.adventuretown.net/
The first picture you can see the cars in the distance in the background. A little further down the page, you can see a good picture of the train and the robbery.
Now, I guess the big question is: What happened to the original two passenger cars?
SteamFreak, you want to take this homework assignment?
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I assume this is from the Crystal Payton book correct?
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Great find! I wonder why none of us thought to look in The Story of Silver Dollar City by Crystal Payton for info? ???
Someone had posted a while back about the need to build up steam, and therefore, the true purpose of the robbery. It's great to have more info about the display locomotive. I bet Old Guy knew all of this but he was holding out on us! ;)
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WOW, awesome thing to read first thing in the morning, you're great! Just using info from the post card and from several other old pictures it seemed there was a caboose, which is the same caboose that you see along the ride. As for the cars, little bit harder of a story, assuming the train was a different gauge and crystal knew what she was talking about when she said "narrow guage" in which case the tracks were origionaly 3ft apart. So that solves the caboose problem. Now, as for the cars, my guess is they were used as a model for the new cars and they were simply scraped not a lot of use for car too big for the tracks. I'm going to find a copy of that book as soon as I can.
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Actually Steam, in the book, there is a picture showing the engine pulling two cars. One car is not too much different from what we have today. The other looks like a frankenstein between that type of car and a caboose in that it has a upper spot for a conductor to sit. Once again, I will have to try to get it scanned in today and posted. If someone has a picture of the caboose where the hobo is taking a shower that they could post, it would be interesting to see if perhaps that is one of the cars originally bought from Adventure Town.
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Hmm interesting.
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I have the book, and a plethora of old Post cards, but man I wish I could speak train like you can Steam. Narrowhoozits and whatchamabobs and ratios 4-4-2-9-0-2-1-0, it all ends up sounding like dr. Seuss or morse code to me! Thats why I will leave all the explinations up to you. I will just paint pretty pictures that look nice.
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Narrowhoozits woo...good giggle on that one.
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Great back story! So the original locomotive is the display locomotive. Any chance of restoring it. Maybe use it on special occasions with a shorter train? I personally enjoy the more "Americanized" look of the original locomotive.
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Where is the old train now? It's former resting place is now one of the back corners for the hole.
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Let me suggest if not restored to operational status, how about a cosmetic restoration to it's original condition. Since Henry Ford turned into an American icon, doesn't the locomotive hold some historical value? Maybe the locomotive could be displayed somewhere in the park under some type of cover? How about creating an area with other items of historical valve. Has SDC collected and saved items that may be deemed historical?
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"I bet Old Guy knew all of this but he was holding out on us!"
Holding out? This is from a posting last march on this very site! (Random Stuff Roundup)
"Picture the Frisco Barn a bit past it on the left and behind the train a 100 yards or so, the Waterboggin Tower. You got off at the midtown depot when you arrived in town. Cool way to enter town, but restrictive in capacity. The poor little trains were underpowered too. Before the track was regraided there was actualy a chain lift to pull the train up one slope. The robbery was actualy designed to give the train a place to top up on water because that would also run out before getting "Home"."Dig people dig! ;)
P.S. Keep in mind the train ran the other way back then.
Re: Random Stuff Round-Up
« Reply #56 on: March 23, 2008, 10:28:06 PM »
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Here's a postcard with what I'm assuming is the old train depot:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/sdc_joy/Personal%20SDC%20Collection/Postcards/S6300244.jpg
Here is more from the same Thread
The building to the left of the curlycue bridge over the train tracks in midtown, is the sight of the origanal train depot!. Last time I looked there were still stairs down there. Another old train dept. was just about where the red/gold hall is now. This was the "new" entrance to the park after the square ceased being parking. You bought your tickets and boarded the train which went in the opposite direction than now, and arrived at the city in midtown. Cool huh?
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^Oh man, I remember reading that. I just forgot about it. Sorry for the false accusation, Old Guy. :( As always, thanks for the info. You are a wealth of SDC knowledge! :)
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didn't the locomotive in question used to set behind the tintype studio and just to the right of the trestle as you headed down the path toward the former Tom Sawyers Landing. if so i remember playing on it with my brothers while my parents would stop and take a break or while waiting for the next saloon show. at least for a couple of years anyway then they put chains accross the entrance to the cab and all you could do was look at it . then it disappeared from that location and i believe it reappeared near the depot between the tracks and what used to be the petting zoo(which is where the carousel was until this last year.) which i believe is also it's current location. if so it's kinda neat to have had the chance to get that close to such an historic piece of equipment, not just as it pertains to SDC but as to it's previous owner Mr. Henry Ford
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One in the Same. It was parked across from the depot for years, moved to the tin types as a backdrop, then moved back to the depot later.
and sdcforever, I was not insulted at or upset, sorry if it came off that way. Just an encouragment for all reading to dig deep in the subjects threaded here. You may find somthing in an unlikly place ;D
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learn something new everyday, thanks Old Guy
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Okay, let me apologize for not reading every post of every thread. I do know that there are some SDC employees that visit this site. Are there any of the conductors that read the posts? If so, I have a question for them. Will post the question after I find out.
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There are a few who have done a few stints as conductors, and there are some of us who have a very good understanding of the trains and thier running.
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Last year, there were several of us there in mid-May and had a blast with the crew. Even were invited back the following day and did receive some special attention. Crowds were very light and the group we were with tends to create our own fun. We definitely livened up some of the shows and attractions we attended. More than one occasion we had regular guests notice us from earlier in the park and ask us where we were heading because they wanted to be in the show we were going to be in.
I know it can be difficult for some of the employees doing the same thing, day after day, especially if the guests are just along for the ride and don't want to "participate".
We are going back this mid-May and just wanted to give a couple of the guys warning. When we were on the train the second day, we had fun with the Bolins so much that they asked the conductor to just shot them now so we could get out of there. People in the other cars seemed to have really enjoyed it.
And no, we didn't do anything that wasn't family friendly. We just have lots of fun.
Our hope is that we made such an impression that they remember us this year. It's happened before to us, even at places 750 miles away that we only get to once a year.
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^Sounds like a good time. I also love interacting with the employees! :D
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My kids and I were on the first train ride of the season. It was a Blast. They got all flustered when the woman they picked as their ma said she was. Then they had to make it up as they went... Great times.
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Same thing today! Great show as always, I'm glad to see they're running No. 76 more, they ran the heck out of 13 when I was there last year.
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Alright so I've been doing a bunch more research, and a bunch more talking to engineers and well, here's some "new history". The first locomotive on the line was a 1922 Davenport 0-4-OT from the Wayne County Board of Roads Commission. In 1962 it was converted into a 2-4-2 and a tender was added along with a diamond stack and other "wild west" fixtures. Numbered 76, the Davenport operated on the Frisco line (wearing Frisco "coonskin" heralds) until it was retired in the 1980s. (It was the display)
Several German engines, which are 60 centimeter gauge (close enough to operate on two-foot gauge track) are in use at Silver Dollar City. Two 1934 Orenstein & Koppellbuilt 0-4-OTs were purchased from Peter Buescher & Sohn of Mueater, Germany, in 1965. One of these, No.43, has been restored to service as a 2-4-OT and is in use today. A larger 1938 Orenstein & Koppell 2-4-OT, former Kies unit Schotterwerke Nordmark No. 13, is also in use and retains its large European-style cab. The newest engine on the roster is a 1940 2-4-OT built by KolbenDanek for Hans Vatter, AG., which carries the number 76. There is also a 1918 Henschel 0-4-OT in storage. All locomotives are painted red and carry the Frisco herald. Frisco aided the Herchends when they had problems laying track, the line was then re-named "The Frisco Silver Dollar Line"
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Well you learn something new every day! Thanks Steam, Even if I don't understand a lick of that, I respect a person with knowledge of these things.
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Thanks, someday I hope to put it to good use.
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I understood the part about the years and I've heard the word "Frisco" before. Still, I love that the history is recorded.
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Boy it would be great to have a roster shot of all 4 locomotives at once. The 3 active German and the stored 0-4-0. Are there 3 complete train sets? Last time I rode you could tell the cars needed some TLC. How about some photos in and around the roundhouse/engine shed?
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That's my special little project right now...we'll see...and no, there are only 2 sets of cars.
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Kissing up to the conductors I see! Seems as if we all have our "side projects" that fit into our interests. We are definately not a bunch of lazy bloggers are we? We should pool our resources and do something with it! (Cue feverish montage of all of us working hard turning bolts, welding,calander pages are flipping through the months to show the passage of time, sewing humongous bolts of fabric, painting....Finally we finish, and we stand back admiring our handywork, and we pan back to see ... a 5 in. ship in a bottle). Man we are good!
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No Rube, it would be a tiny NO. 76 in a bottle...
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Now, Just in case ANYONE Cares, Here are the break-downs of the engines.
No. 76:
Wheels: 4-4-2
Builder: Davenport Locomotive Works
Build Date: 01/1922
Construction No.: 1900
Empty Weight: Unk
Weight on Drivers: Unk
Driver Diameter: 22
Tractive Effort: 3,180
Boiler Pressure: 140
Cylinders: 7x12
Fuel: Oil
Gauge: 600mm
No. 43:
Wheels: 2-4-0T
Builder: Orenstein & Koppel
Build Date: 1934
Construction No.: 12503
Empty Weight: 19,800
Weight on Drivers: 19,800
Driver Diameter: 22
Tractive Effort: 4,590
Boiler Pressure: 140
Cylinders: 8.5x11.75
Fuel: Oil
Gauge: 600mm
No. 13:
Wheels: 2-4-0T
Builder: Orenstein & Koppel
Build Date: 1938
Construction No.: 13168
Empty Weight: 24,200
Weight on Drivers: 19,000
Driver Diameter: 25
Tractive Effort: 6,757
Boiler Pressure: 170
Cylinders: 9.5x13
Fuel: Oil
Gauge: 600mm
This one is in storage:
Wheels: 0-4-0T
Builder: Henschel & Son (Kassel)
Build Date: 1918
Construction No.: 15918
Empty Weight: 24,200
Weight on Drivers: 24,200
Driver Diameter: 24.5
Tractive Effort: 6,200
Boiler Pressure: 170
Cylinders: 9.5x11.75
Fuel: Oil
Gauge: 600mm
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^And all this time I thought they were replicas. ;)
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Here's what they would have looked like when the herchends bought them. And now....
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Wow, we could really use this stuff on the main site, this is a lot of interesting info!
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I'll write an article and send it to you.
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Oh, SteamFreak, you just played right into his hands with that commitment!
When you write the article, could you pretend we're all about eight years old?
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Yeah...the choo choo chugs down the twack....
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Whoa! Too far - I said eight years, not eight months. ;)
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Never was good at math. One time, I though 2 + 2 was 4 ha...everyone knows that 3+1
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Finally got SteamFreak's info up: http://sdcfans.com/attBio.php?id=75
Lots of neat info.
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I rode the train last weekend and noticed some old games and things that used to be around the park are now hanging on the fence by Powder Keg. You know the ones that would ask you a question and you had to life the little wooden doors covering the answers.. Anyway. I really miss seeing those kind of things around the park. The are very few left. One is by the bathrooms on Hill Street.
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UPDATE: I was taking to an engineer yesterday who told me that a restoration of the Henry Ford engine was about to begin, not only for display but it's possible if a larger boiler is used that it will once again see service on the rails, once this process begins I'll try and create some sort of blog on here to track the process.
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"Track" the progress.... lol...
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I know that I am resurrecting an ancient thread here, but I am curious to know what (if anything) has become of the restoration of the Davenport.
The Silver Dollar Line was one of two influences (the other was the Marx set my Grandfather gave me when I was 1 year old) that started me on a life-long train fascination and adopting the Frisco as my favorite road.
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I was re-reading this forum following a trip to the City a couple weekends ago. I asked where the loco that was displayed went and saw it sitting back by the square roundhouse. Was told that while they were excavating for Riverblast, the ground gave way and it actually slid down the hill a little. They then moved it back where it is now. Icabod did tell me they were discussing restoring it. I asked cosmetically or operationally. He said it was being discussed. It all had to do with money. If it was restored to operating condition, the money would come out of attractions. If it was restored cosmetically, the money would come out of some other park budget. He did say they wanted to do it for the 50th. That was last year. Could he have meant Frisco Line's 50th? When was the line opened? Also, he did say that it would not pull a 4 car train. 2 cars, yes. 3, maybe, but probably not. Also, do they ever run 2 trains at the same time now? They were very busy a couple weekends ago. Did the short script on the robbery. Even left passengers at the station every time. Seems like that would have been a day to run 2 trains.
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Yes, what is new? Any chance of getting photos of all the locomotives lined up in the engine house/yard? How about back of the house tours? Any more information on the consists (trains). How many sets, are they identical, how often are cars added or subtracted. Any plans to overhaul the train cars? Last time I rode it appeared the wood on the cars has aged quite a bit. I would love to see the Davenport back in service, a more "American" looking locomotive.
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I am not the train expert here!
However, I believe there are two sets of four, or five cars (although I could easily be wrong). There are also three working engines, #13, #43, and #76.
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I got essentially the same story this past Saturday on the Davenport.
Just FYI, there is a very similar Davenport 0-4-0T at the National Museum of Transport in St. Louis. It has the saddle tank instead of a tender; it was used at the Laclede-Christy firebrick plant for years and years. It is 30" gauge and cute as a button.
I have been there when they run two trains; in order to coordinate them, the train coming home usually has to stop just past the robbery (at the crossing near the "round"house) to visually sight the one leaving the depot. I guess the Silver Dollar Line cannot afford Centralized Traffic Control ;D :D ;D
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Ok so I was talking to conductor Joe during my trip and this is what he told me. Engine #76 is non operational due to the wheel base and pistons taken off to be re-done.now on to the car situation. One car was taken completely of property to be reconstructed. The engineer said the car would be stripped to the car wheel base and rebuilt with a light weight aluminum. Eventually all cars will e redone in the same fashion. During summer they are pulling three cars with engine #43. Engine 13 which is attached to the 4 car train is having work done in the roundhouse. If I remember correctly the wheel bearings are being replaced in 13. When I asked about the 4 car train he said there wAs simPly no time to machine the parts due to the extended times of MM. Ok I'm done now.
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Great Info, more if anyone else would like to share!
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It would be nice if they had an exit only station near the HH. That way you could skip cardiac hill and the traffice coming down the other hill. This would a lot easier to get around the park. But overall, I would hate to see anything changed about the railroad. I even hated the new trams that replaced the old green ones!!!
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thats quite an idea. too bad that isnt feasable.
:-[
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yeah it's totally not an option with the current build and format, but I guess a dreamer can dream. I like the train as is. I love the smell and feel while on it. A true step back into time for me.
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Where is the passenger car being taken to for the rebuild? Is it done locally or at another property with a railroad shop such as Dollywood or Stone Mt.? Is it just one car a season or will they be able to do whole set during the winter?
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Ok since I brought this topic about the cars I will clarify. The engineer said the car was being redone of property. This puts me under the impression that it sill be redone by a company that specializes in body remodification. Now to the second part of your question. Again the engineer said it will all depend on what the budget shows on ifthey will get a big ride or the budget will focus on restoration. So they could all be done in 3 years or 15 years. The longer they wait the worse condition and repairs will be needed to just keep them operating. Again the restoration is not a 2 month process. They sent the last car off sometime this year but arnt sure when it will be back. They are hoping it will be back for Christmas but it might not be back till the off season. Onother update on the cars they will not have the dome with windows in the sides due to weather proofing issues.
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oh that will suck! the dome with windows is part of the ride.. Makes the train all that more authentic.
sounds strangely familar, you know, the trams went 1st. Now the classic looking train cars. >:(
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Yes I understand however if it improves the quality of the ride as far as keeping the rude on the tracks and out of the round(rectangle)house I guess we will just have to be a little more understanding. Are u understanding where I'm coming from?