Comments
I remember visiting Kiddieland several times in the early '60s on Sunday afternoons. At that time, they ran both steam locomotives doubleheaded pulling a train of the enclosed wooden cars. The ran opposite of the diesel train set. The steam train was popular then. Somewhere, I have some black and white photos of the trains at that time. They also had a smaller steam locomotive of a different scale and gauge in a glass enclosed case. What happened to it? Someone told me that it was stolen. Bill
As a young boy many an evening was enjoyed by me riding behind the steamers at Kiddieland. Today I manage the Riverside & Great Northern Railway here in Wisconsin Dells...live steam of course. Our home is at the end-of-the-line. Our website is www.DellsTrain.com David Simerson General Manager
Ever since I was 4 years old I have loved riding on the Kiddieland train. Even after the park closed I have been doing research on the train and the history of the park. After much research I found a picture of the Kiddieland train G-16 in a ABA consist. To view the picture go to, http://www.grandscales.com/photos/photos.html
Eleven year Kiddieland fan
I worked in maintenance at Kiddieland in 1978-1979, including the off season. I reported to Chris. His brother (Bernie?) lived on the property (Maybe Chris did too.) We cleaned, repaired, painted rides all winter long. I remember using a 'spare' diesel hooked up to a flat car to take mowers back to the far end of the property by the 'Island' to mow the grass in spring and summer. As far as I can remember this engine was dedicated to service work and was not a ride train. I also worked with Chris when he replaced the boiler tubes on one of the steam engines. There were 2 at the time, I don't remember which one. I wasn't very interested then, I was 18 or 19, and it was dirty work. I think I would have rather been playing pinball just 100 feet away. How I wish I could do it again, I would pay more attention this time. We worked in the building shown on the very right of the one captioned "Wagner Northern (left) and Miniature Train Company #704 (right)" above. There was a large door past the glass block windows, this was the main shop. Keep up the good work on your site, I enjoyed it. Jeff
Back in 1950 I worked at Kiddieland, In fact it was my first job....Mr. Arthur Fritz was my grandmother's cousin. He lived in Elmhurst, Il. and would drive me home to Northlake, Il. to be sure I got home safely. A Great BOSS. I remember every "fall" all the rides were taken down and stored in a large building on the property...Everything was reconditioned for the next open season. Usually the end of March. We sit outside running the rides or working in the small concession stands. It sure was a lot of fun then for teenagers....and we earned 50 cents an hour. If we worked the entire summer season we got a $25. bonus....WOW ! we would say. ....Ron Rynes was just 25 yrs. old back then....He was the son-in-law ...married to Shirley "Mr. Fritz's" daughter. Thanks for the memories. AND THE WONDERFUL PICTURES.
What happened to Mother Goose Gardens train? Charles
Great site! The was once an amusement park at Golf Rd & Milwaukee Ave in Niles, IL. What was the park's name? I'd heard the steam train from that sight was added to the Donnelly collection but what happened to the diesel and train? It was white and blue as I recall? There was also another park at Golf and Skokie Hwy too...?
That is me operating the steam engine into the sunset at Kiddieland in the photo on the website. I first ran the two steam engines in 1967 and was the regular operator again in 2007-2009. During me college days 1967-1971 I ran the gas train in four different engine combinations AB ABC C CB.
Bob Kiddieland 10 years 1966 67 68 69 70 71 74 07 08 09
Back in the 90's I remember very vividly the G16 with its red orange and black paint scheme. That was the only train used. I saw a glimpse of someone/repairing screwing around with what looked like a oversize model train. I have seen that train advertised, and seen it in the shed from later years. But never got a chance to ride it. P.S. You can actually buy something like that? I thought things like that were only special order items, unreachable to the general public. They still seem unreachable in price (to me), I think I like something that fits in the palm of my hand better. I don't know where someone would have room for something like that, let alone attempt to fix or move that.
There was a KiddieLand park in Fort Gratiot, MI 60-70's Does any one have history on this? Thanks
Today I was looking at an O scale model of a Pennslyvania Q-2 with it's unique cab, and I thought about my days as a youth at Kiddieland. I knew that the park had closed, and was curious about what the disposition of the equipment was. This site was quite a find, and I was glad to read that the equipment survived. As to what was my favorite? Well, as a youth, the F units were. I remember that they always ran one set as an A-B, and that there was also a separate "A" unit. There was only one time that they ran with a separate "A" unit in all the times I was there during my early grade school days. The steam locomotive, well, as a kid, that whistle scared the heck out of me. I didn't appreciate the live steam, and didn't become interested in steam locomotives until high school. I never knew that there was a Hudson there, I only remember the northern. The railroad really lost it's luster when they sold off the back property for a driving range. It was a lovely ride over the bridge by the creek, and I remember there were always a bunch of ducks in the pond. Once it became nothing more than a loop, it just wasn't the same. Thanks for the trip down nostalgia road.
You missed one area train that is now gone, there was a train ride along with a stagecoach ride at Hawthorn Mellody farm in Libertyville, IL, that park closed in 1970 and had an operating dairy farm and also contained a children's zoo and a old west town
my earliest memory was riding the Lincoln park zoo train when I was 2-3. I am so glad to see it alive and well in North Carolina. maybe some day with luck I may get to see it in person again.
was in Wis Dells Nov 27 2010 Story book land might have gone out of business they had a M.T.C engine & cars look like track was pull up .Heard they had M.T.C train from old Riverview for parts or that might been it .It was painted yellow
Well, I just went back through lots of old slides. If you wish, I can send scans of the ones from Kiddieland. I noticed that you don't show Wagner steam in use at the Fairyland Park in Lyons. I have 1957 pictures of a Wagner 4-4-2 in use there, which I can also send if you want, as well as a 4-4-4 operating at Fairyland which I think was also a Wagner engine, in August of 1958. Also have slides of the Hoot, Toot, and Whistle near Elgin in 1957 when it was new, and also in 1972 when the track very overgrown but the line was still in operation. Louis Cerny
I'm glad to see that these trains will be preserved in a setting where future generations can enjoy the magic. I was a kiddieland customer from 1953 until they closed.
Hi Jim, I found three MTC locomotives and trains in Park Ridge, IL on an old farm that is for sale. I spoke with the owner and he was not interested in letting me see them... Lets go together and talk to him and get these back to life. Patrick 847-208-7765 pkowalyk@vicr.com
HI GREAT WEBSITE JIM, I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR QUITE A WHILE TO FIND OUT THE FATE OF THESE GREAT KIDDIELAND TRAINS AS I A MODEL TRAIN COLLECTOR & RAILFAN. THE TRAINS WERE MY FAVORITE SINCE I WAS A KID AS I AM NOW 50 YEARS OLD. I JUST HOPE THAT THEY WILL KEEP ON RUNNING & I HOPE TO VISIT HESSTON STEAM MUSEUM SOON.FYI,I SEE THAT SOME OF THE KIDDIELAND IN THE MEDIA NEWS LINKS HAVE EXPIRED OR BEEN REMOVED. TAKE CARE DAVE, BERKELEY, IL.
Growing up in the suburbs in the 1950's I had 2 loves, 1 was to have my grandfather take me to visit his brother an engineer on the CNW northwest line and let me touch a real steam loco and 2 to visit KIDDIELAND an ride the steam train their. I often wondered if they were still in Melrose Pk. or even operating. I plan to visit Hesston Steam Museum this July 4th weekend and relive a small slice of my childhood that's still within me.
Thrilled to hear of the GREAT response for the Hesston event. Myself and a friend drove past the former Kiddieland park yesterday 6/2/2010. Looking at the former park gives you a very spooky feeling, (you can almost see the two kids on the sign post CRYING.) It would sure be ironic if the COSTCO store does not materialize.
Jim, There was a Wagner steam train at an amusement park in the Naperville area until the mid 70's also named "Kiddieland" this later became a golf driving range. I would like to try and locate any info on this. I have some 8mm movies that my parents took of them firing it up one Sunday when we used to go there. They also had a set of hand cars that one I trip I derail when I proceeded to put it back on the track myself my father told the he could not understand why I was paying to ride that when I had one of my own at home. After that the owner was having me help rerail them when other kid would derail asnd I got ride ANY of the rides for FREE!! and of course you know my favorite was the steamer. During the grade school I ran the G12 on weekends for friends from Ottawa that ran a carnival. Later I purchased a 1 1/2 Wagner Hudson which I sold to Kenny Davis of Decatur following my Dad's death (didn't want the bank getting their hands on it.)
Love your site keep it up.
Back when I was a kid in the 1970s, the train ride at Kiddieland was much longer than it was in these last years. Do you have any video, or a track layout, or historical details on that longer run? I do know Triton College used eminent domain to take the land where the longer run existed. And I know most of the layout - it turned right (north?) just past the original location of the Scrambler (near the brick power shed), ran north thru what became the log ride, and past the go-carts and horse stables for some distance. It eventually reached a pond which it circled, crossing an orange truss bridge, and circling a wonderful little town (some of those buildings migrated back toward the park after the changes). It then returned along the same route, and turned right again near where the new tunnel is, and the out into the field and back to the station. This longer ride meant the trains ran much faster, usually accelerating once past the grade crossing near the station. Full signals were used, and operating, and helped control the spacing of the (usual) running of two full-length trains. And the trains returned, they rocketed thru that tunnel before coasting into the station, not the slow putt-putt the tunnel became in later years. It was actually a far better ride back then.
My brother and I were there on the last day and the train they were running I think was the Wagner Northern, in the engineer said he had operated it back in the 60s and he wanted to come back one last time to run it. He also said it was a coal burner engine and not many people knew how to maintain them.
I loved the double headed Wagners at Kiddieland on Sunday afternoons in the 1960s when I was a kid. Kiddieland was a magical place that can never be replaced and will never be forgotten. Does anyone know what became of the Riverview streamlined Wagner Steam set? It was replaced by an MTC train set by the last years of that park. -Steve
The McEnery family owns the Bengtson pumpkin farm in Homer Township. Maybe they're going to lay a proper track there and run live steam (the train there now is one of those crappy traveling carnival third-rail fakey trains). The family already has some full-size rolling stock at its estate; the late McEnery patriarch was a retired Rock Island engineer.
I love the MTC G-16's. I was raised on those trains and thanks so much to this web site I know now where the Lincoln Park Zoo train is. Every body I talked to could not remember any train at the zoo. Even my friends that I grew up with could not remember one there and we all lived in Chicago. My only regret is that about four years ago I had the opportunity to buy a MTC G-16 with the standard three cars in Empire Builder colors for $37,000.00 with a mile of track and one switch but I could not swing it a the time. What I should have done was second mortgage the house. Lord knows I have enough land. What a dumb ass. Thanks much Richard
Did both G16's get sold together? Mike
Looking at the pictures I gather that Kiddieland also had two diesels, m704 and 514. Were both units on the Kiddieland route until it closed in November 2009? Am I correct that Kiddieland had four locomotives, two diesel and two steam, at some time? Thanks, Tom, Marietta, GA
I am 66 years old and I remember riding the Kiddieland trains over 60 years ago. I was always fascinated by the them. Has the diesel also been taken to Hesston?
Hi Jim, What ever happened to Kiddie Kingdom trains? Castle of toys!!!
GREAT site! Don't forget the Dispensa’s Castle of Toys train (Oakbrook Terrace). Thanks! Cliff
How could you forget the "Hoot, Toot & Whistle" in Elgin? Especially since some of their equipment survives and is still in operation.
wow I cant believe that Kiddieland is gone! I grew up in Chicago and trips to Kiddieland were a right of summer. even as an adult I would find any reason to go and of course ride the train. I loved the steam engines and would make a special trip anytime I knew it was running. I've lived in Florida since 95 and anytime i made it back I would try to go. well summer of 09 I had to make trip to Chicago and had to go one last time. I hope that the new owners of the train make it available to the public. I would make it a point to go there, also next trip I am planning on going to Hesston to ride the 'lost' steam. nothing but great memories of Kiddieland, and thanks to Great America for saving the little dipper! chip
I heard a long time ago that story book land in the Wisconsin Dells had the train from Riverview park in Chicago one was use for parts. They still run MTC G16 TRAIN. But don't know if that's the Riverview train. There was a park in Oakbrook that had a G-16 Diesel Train ride and the person who ran the trains at Kiddieland offered them 30.000 dollars for them some one else offered them 50.000 and he lost out when park shut down it was next to a toy store. Your brother would know this person he always wipe down the steam train engine with oil rag & a clean rag for the Diesel train. He move to Florida with his mother because of some kind of sickness. A Chicago paper had a article about him retiring from Kiddieland. He was going to work for a major park in Florida but paper would the say.
Hi Jim, My brother and I always went to Kiddieland as kids. We are now in our 40s. I have 2 boys, 11 and 10 which I brought to Kiddieland several times throughout the years. My brother and I attended the auction, hoping to get some little piece of memorabilia, but no luck. My favorite ride was the carousal with the bikes, bus and cars. I was sorry to see it go to a private collector from Georgia, along with the Bumper Cars. According to what he said that day, it will just be added to his "private collection" and will not ever be available to the public. So sad!! We were very surprised a lot of these rides went for as cheap as they did. We thought someone could have easily picked up a lot of those rides and reopened a new "Kiddieland" somewhere else. We will miss it terribly. Glad to have found your website, I forwarded the link to my brother as well. Thanks again!! Julie
The name Bill Mcenerny rang a bell. He owns Gas City and raced a car sponsored by (yup) Gas City at the now defunked Raceway Park in Blue Island.
I was absolutely thrilled when I discovered the lost Kiddieland train at Hesston this year. We went on a little miniature train tour on weekends instead of a big vacation this year (A wonderful highlight to an otherwise sad time) Please add to your list the steam trains just outside St. Louis (can't remember the name) They have a worthy layout and an excellent program for teaching steam techniques to youngsters. I know it's 5 hours away but well worth it when combined with the National museum. Also, don't you think it would be a sensational idea to get IRM in Union to set up a miniature diesel/steam from somewhere????? It could go in their proposed yesteryear town project. Please mention that the train in WI dells was originally from Route 20 in Addison, IL (where the camper sales area is - the station is still there) Also I would like to know where the train from the little park on Harlem Avenue in Chicago went after it closed. Many thanks for your excellent effort on this site! Julie
The guy that bought the train also owns another train which is stored in his backyard. which we can see from our house. it is always lit up at night. The train is huge, a regular size train.
The guy that bought the train who owns "gas city" lives in Homer Glen IL. He also owns beingstons pumpkin farm out in homer glen. The reason I know this is because i live behind the pumpkin farm. They were doing some renovations out in the field. So I assume it will be open to the public for rids when the pumpkin farm is open this fall (2010) I assume they are storing the train out in some of the farm houses because he also owns a few fields & horses. check out www.pumpkinfarm.com (that's his website)
There is a great site called HistoricAerials.com and if you click on the dark green area near Chicago and when that screen come up click just above Broadview and then click a couple more times on the center of the screen you'll see the oval that's Maywood park race track. Just above that is Kiddieland. On the right you'll see dates you can click on, go to 1962, it's a great view of the old route the train used to take. Also go to the Kiddieland website and click on history. There is a picture of the train when it was a Chicago & Northwestern. Loved that train, and hope to ride it again. Jamie
any way you could post some pictures of the 'as delivered' g-16's? Looking forward to seeing some old pictures of the Wagners too!
Great info on this website! I would love to hear the fate of the kiddieland trains. Do you know where the Lincoln Park Zoo G16 is located? Thanks - Michael Dierkes
Jim - The Locomotive and two or three cars from the Lincoln Park Zoo train are in private hands in North Carolina.
I remember visiting Kiddieland several times in the early '60s on Sunday afternoons. At that time, they ran both steam locomotives doubleheaded pulling a train of the enclosed wooden cars. The ran opposite of the diesel train set. The steam train was popular then. Somewhere, I have some black and white photos of the trains at that time. They also had a smaller steam locomotive of a different scale and gauge in a glass enclosed case. What happened to it? Someone told me that it was stolen. Bill Barber
As a young boy many an evening was enjoyed by me riding behind the steamers at Kiddieland. Today I manage the Riverside & Great Northern Railway here in Wisconsin Dells...live steam of course. Our home is at the end-of-the-line. Our website is www.DellsTrain.com David Simerson General Manager
I have 2 trains in Woodstock IL a NAD 30" and a MTC G-12 Check us out www.spinelliequipmentmuseum.com
I don't think that you should consider the 4-6-4 at Hesston as "lost"! It was out and operating on their steam weekend of Labor day 2008. Other "Kiddy Lands" in the Chicago area include one at 79th and Archer, 95th and Crawford (Pulaski) one on east 95th St. one on US 30 in Indiana.
The steam train from Riverview was later owned by a fellow in Marengo, IL named (sp?) Jaedinger. What is current disposition is anyone's guess? The miniature steam from the kiddie park at Golf & Milwaukee Ave was purchased by Elliot Donnely, current disposition also unknown? The diesel set (blue & white) also unknown? I've always been curious about what happened to the ones from the park that was just north of the Harlem & Irving Plaza or the park that was on the S/E corner of Golf & Skokie Hwy???? Both parks had trains etc...
I believe there were Chance CPH trains at Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom and at Shireland. There was a 24" steam outline engine that ran at Brookfield Zoo prior to the arrival of the Sandley Equipment. There was a park train at a place which was at the Mundelein exit off I-94... not sure if it is still there. The steam outline train at Great America is 3' gauge. The Hoot Toot and Whistle in Elgin is split up, depot still there, but engine at Riverside and Great Northern. White City in Jackson Park had a steam locomotive I have seen in old post cards. I think there is still a train at the Wild West Town near Union.
The Hudson at Hesston IS the Kiddieland Hudson. It was willed to Hesston by Elliot Donnelly (of yellow pages fame). He was a major benefactor of the museum. He bought the train set at a time when Kiddieland was having some hard times and it was a lucrative offer they couldn't refuse. When he passed away the family gave the Kiddieland train set and another live steam loco, misc cars and track form his estate in the northern suburbs of Chicago to Hesston. As for the fairyland train, it was for sale two or three years ago on a site called "discover live steam for sale". I'm sure your familiar with the site. It was for sale from a Florida man say that he purchased it at the original action of fairyland back in the 60s. Believable form the condition the train. Thank you for your time and effort on this site and I hope this info helps in your research.
Is the "missing" locomotive you keep referring to the Wagner 4-6-4(? Isn't it at Hesston? Did all 3 of the MTC locos go to the same place? In any case, I have some videos/photos from the Oct 4th closing ceremony to share if you're interested.