We have sad news today, the owners of the defunct Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, KS have began demolishing what's left of the theme park. It's a long, sorted, sad story, but the relevance to this list is that for years there has been an ATSF caboose parked at the western end of their "Old West" section of the park. It appears to be one that escaped the West Wichita Shops in the 1960's when the Ce-1 cabooses were upgraded there. I remember it magically appearing at Joyland around that time. Recent Google Earth images showed the caboose still there, but I do not know if anyone is doing anything to save it now that the park is being demolished.

Dan

According to the Wikipedia article on Joyland, the Historic Preservation Alliance is negotiating to acquire the caboose. They've obtained many other artifacts from the park. Here's a link to an article that was provided by Wikipedia:

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article18292907.html

Was Joyland featured on American Pickers?

Wesley

No, Eagle Park was featured on American Pickers. Although, Eagle Park (also abandoned) has two German or Austrian narrow gauge 0-4-0s half buried in junk in a shed as well as some open cars. Don't think you've just found some gems though, he still swears that he'll reopen it someday, sort of unlikeky considering one building's roof collapsed and one has burned to the ground. The rides look like they're being held together on a wing and a prayer. Just google "Eagle Park" under images, you'll understand what I mean. Any updates on the ATSF caboose?

In case anyone cares, "Captive Cabeese" lists this as "ATSF 1637?", at 2801 S. Hillside.

Views of the caboose--inside and out--at http://www.tommyandjames.net/joyland3.html

Has there been any word on the success of the attempt to save it?

The caboose is going to be saved by a historic preservation group that is set up to save and store significant historic objects petaining to Wichita and the surrounding area. They have no plans for the unit but it will be moved and stored in an indoor warehouse along with other objects from the park.

Good news John, so glad to hear that it is going to be saved. Boy, those folks must have a really big warehouse, what with all the stuff they are saving from Joyland. And a caboose takes up a lot of room when you start talking about putting it indoors. I wonder if they will store it on cribbing with the trucks setting beside it.

Thanks for the update!

Dan

Latest update, the Wichita Eagle has posted an online video (kansas.com) of the move of this non-upgraded ATSF caboose away from the Joyland premises. I am not aware of where they are moving it to but it great to see it moving, graffiti and all. This comes a couple of days after video made the news of the final demolition of the grand wooden rollercoaster at the park, and with that we pretty much say goodbye to great memories. There was an early Ottaway/Chance Manufacturing train ride at this park which was originally founded by the Ottaway family, I understand the train was also saved but I am not aware of who saved it or where it currently resides.

Dan in Wichita

The train ride you talk about is one of the Ottaway steam locomotives and cars. It has been stored and still owned by the Nelson family and is not for sale according to my sources. The caboose is at an undisclosed location that is not open to the public but is safe where its at.

Wichita Eagle article:

http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article29411611.html