Updated and improved article by Ed Kelly on these minature 12-inch gauge steam locomotives, built in Wichita, Kansas in the 1940s and '50s. Lots of good photos. Ottaway also built a gasoline F unit and later (as Chance Mfg.) built gasoline versions of the CP Huntington, still seen in many parks today.

http://www.bjwrr.com/ontrack/ottaway-chance.htm

Wonderful article. My first job was at the Joyland Park owned by Herb and Harold Ottaway running a Creators Popcorn Wagon which was next to the 12" gage steam locomotive. I lived about 3 blks from Herb and continued a friendship with both men until their deaths the past couple of years. Was fortunate to operate 2 different Ottaways in the late 70's and early 80's at Old Wichita Cowtown and Terning's Steam Show in Valley Center, KS. Both Herb and Harold contributed to my life long affair with steam.

Fond memories here also. I missed seeing Rock Island steam locomotives in my home town of Goodland, Kansas by about a year, but about 1954 the Chamber of Commerce hired an old man with a portable Ottaway loop to operate his train on the closed off Main Street just before Christmas. The rides were free. I recall it was bitter cold, but I toughed it out and rode every trip, at least 25 times around that short loop, and stayed well after dark until he packed up the track and chugged the little engine up into the trailer under its remaining steam. As these things are seldom scrapped, I sometimes wonder what happened to that train and who has it now. It was the last steam locomotive to operate in Goodland.