HESSTON, IN: The Hesston Steam Museum will be coupling the newly acquired Kiddieland "Northern" Steam Locomotive with its older sister, The Kiddieland Hudson.  Thirty years ago, the brother/sister steam engine team was a common sight at the now closed amusement park in suburban Melrose Park.  Paired as a "Double Header", the team could pull long train loads of kids around the amusement park.  The two engines, separated in the '80s, will be re-teamed by the generosity of the "Northern's" new owner, William McEnery of Frankfort, Illinois, founder and president of the Gas City service station chain.  The  Hesston Steam Museum in Indiana has received Kiddieland's 49 year old Northern steam train (on loan from McEnery) and will be operating it and its sister for the museum's opening weekend May 29-31. Chicago-area residents will be able to ride the distinctive "Kiddieland Limited Steam Trains" again this summer - just a quick car-ride away in nearby Hesston, Ind.

Built as a team, the older, and slightly shorter Hudson arrived at Kiddieland in 1941, her brother, the Northern, was delayed 9 years by WWII and the war effort.  These 2 locomotives are actual steam engines fueled by coal. The smaller Hudson was sold off in the mid 1980's along with several wooden passenger cars to the Hesston Museum. The larger Northern remained at Kiddieland until it closed at the end of the 2009 season. 

In early March, the Steam Museum received the Kiddieland Northern locomotive on loan where it joined its sister.  Officials say the pair of engines are ready to run and will be teamed up for the first time in 30 years when Hesston opens for its 53^rd operating season on May 29, 2010.

About the train builder: Wagner and Sons Miniature Train Co., Plainfield, Ill., built the Kiddieland bullet nose trains in 1941 and 1950. Although adults consider the trains a "kiddie" ride, they operate just like a full-sized locomotive. An engineer shovels coal into a firebox to heat water, generate steam, and create power.

About Hesston: The Hesston Steam Museum will be offering rides on this vintage train on a one-mile railway line through scenic property. Trains depart from a replica 1900s era depot alongside full-size narrow gauge steam trains. The 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 "all volunteer" 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 is open weekends throughout the summer. For more information visit www.hesston.org.
 

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT TED RITA <ted.rita@hesston.org>