Chicago's Brookfield Zoo train. ( Gone.) Brookfield Illinois . September 1982. a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.
I took this now historic photograph, way back in September of 1982.
We are looking west near the south gate inside Chicago's Brookfield Zoo. From May of 1967 until Labor Day Weekend of 1985, the 2 foot narrow guage Brookfield, Salt Creek & Western Railroad circled the outer perimeter of Chicago's Brookfiled Zoo in a counter clockwise direction.
Good news!
After sitting in storage for 17 years, the old Brookfield Zoo train was donated to The Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana during the year of 2002. The coaches are operable, but the locomotives are undergoing restoration.
For more information about The Hesston Steam Museum
log on to www.hesston.org
1 comment:
Eddie, great site!
I was the Director of Transportation at the Zoo. I was in charge of the RR and Trackless trains.
I worked for Dr. Peter Crowcroft, Jim Reilly and Dick Dvorak.
It was an interesting time! We transitioned from the Chance era to the Sandley era. Little Rudy the diesel was the first 24" loco and lots of fun to operate. The link and pin couplers were scary! Thanks to Elliot Donnely, the railroad was a great success. A new Zoo director came in and was more interested in the animal collection than the wonderful trains.
Thank God for Hesston!
The Sandleys have passed as well as Elliot Donnely.
The Loco's are alive and giving enjoyment to many, many people.
The time at the Zoo years was the best time in my life!
Please let me know if you worked at the Zoo on the railroad.
Bill
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