The Nat Park Train in 1955
Photo courtesy of Mark Blumhagen
This Miniature Train, manufactured by the Miniature Train Mfg. Co. of
Rensselaer, IN, was added to the park in 1952. The ride had 2000 feet
of 12 pound rail and featured a train station and a tunnel, as well as
several miniature train crossing signals.
Its route wound back and forth through a narrow course,
with tracks so close together that they shared ties between the rails for two
different directions.
James Ellison
James Ellison drives the golden spike into the Nat Park Railroad
May 10, 1952
Photo courtesy of Patrick Blake
Its dedication on
May 10, 1952 was attended by Carol Haas (Spokane's 1952 Lilac Queen), some officials
from the Union Pacific Railroad and other dignitaries from the area. A golden spike
was driven exactly 83 years from the date that the original golden spike was driven
in Promontory, Utah by James Ellison, who worked for the Union Pacific railroad for
65 years!
Lloyd Vogel served as the driver for this opening celebration.
Lloyd Vogel drives the train
Front: Carol Haas and James Ellison
Photo courtesy of Patrick Blake
The train had a top speed of 12mph, which is the equivalent of 60 scale mph, and had
vaccuum brakes on every wheel.
The train was in service until the park closed in 1967.
It's now owned by a private collecter, and has been restored to match its original appearance.
