"KIDDIELAND" STEAM TRAIN RIDES THE RAILS ONCE AGAIN AT HESSTON!
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HESSTON, IN: It once proudly circled the Kiddieland Amusement Park in suburban Melrose Park. Now Chicago-area residents can ride the distinctive "Kiddieland Limited Train" again this summer - just a quick car-ride away in nearby Hesston, Ind.
In early March, the Hesston Steam Museum received the former Kiddieland Limited steam locomotive on loan. Since then, workers at this unique outdoor historical museum (near Michigan City, Ind.) have restored the engine. Officials say it will be ready to run when Hesston opens for its 53rd operating season on May 29, 2010.
"She is a beauty!" says Hesston Steam Museum General Manager Ted Rita, "She [the locomotive] reflects her era - when streamlining and the bullet nose design captured the public imagination. Hesston already has one of two Kiddieland Limited steam locomotives - and now this pair is together again after all these years."
Chicago-area resident Jim O'Connor is a volunteer engineer at Hesston. O'Connor grew up in Oak Park and recalls the Kiddieland experience. "I just can't wait to finish restoring this train and firing her up for a run," he says. "It's going to be great to run the engine that I rode behind as a child."
About the train: Wagner and Sons Miniature Train Co., Plainfield, Ill., built the Kiddieland Limited bullet nose train in 1950. Although adults consider the train a "kiddie" ride, it operates just like a full-sized locomotive. An engineer shovels coal into a firebox to heat water, generate steam and create power. After operating for 81 years in Melrose Park, Kiddieland closed in 2009 and sold its vintage rides.
About Hesston: The Hesston Steam Museum will be offer rides on this vintage train on a one-mile railway line through a scenic property. Trains depart from a replica 1900s era depot alongside full-size narrow gauge steam trains. In fact, there are three separate railroads at Hesston, which opens May 29.
Hesston Steam Museum has three sizes of real steam locomotives - including a former Brookfield Zoo train (the famous "Blue Goose") to carry visitors on a spectacular two-and-a-half-mile journey through deep woods, past lakes and farm fields. The Museum also features 1/4-scale and 1/8-scale steam railroads. Both meander over bridges and through an enchanting wooded landscape.
The Hesston Steam Museum is filled with other steam-powered machinery including a working sawmill, railroad steam crane, steam-powered electric power plant, steam traction engines and more.
The museum's gift shop features toys, books, videos, hats and more for kids of all ages. Food is available at the museum grounds or visitors may bring a picnic.
The museum also is open weekends throughout the summer. For more information visit www.hesston.org. or call 219-778-2783 (weekends).