It does look like the track was rebuilt, or maybe removed and replaced.

Take a look at this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b-L5vMCXKw

Here's a screen grab from 1:45. See anything wrong? Doesn't look like an experienced track man was on the project. Or maybe that's a sun kink. But I can see why they'd have problems.

Yes, they just got rid of some kiddyland type stuff and made the replacements Thomas themed.

A couple minor clarifications. I think there is a circular kiddie ride called "the Turnpike", but the true "Turnpike" at Kennywood was a ride with small cars, originally gas powered, that you got to drive. Basically the same as Disney's Autopia. You even had limited steering control, though a center guide rail prevented any off road adventures. It was removed a few years back to build a new coaster.

More importantly, the 1930's built "Auto Race" by Traver Engineering is still there. This unique ride was built by a coaster company, and sort of resembles a coaster track. When I was a kid the ride had a bunch of small hills, maybe 10 feet tall, that added some excitement, kind of like a coaster, that were much of the charm. Now it's boring as all get out if you're over, say, 5, "Race" is a grand overstatement of the speed and unlike the now defunct turnpike you don't even get to steer, or if you do, it's very limited. I'm not sure, but I think the speed may be set by the ride too. it's also unique, historically significant and should definitely be preserved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN3_Y-OcsQM

Hmm, if that screenshot (I'm on dial-up, no U-tube for me!) is any example of the trackwork, then it seems obvious what the problem is! Wonder who (if anyone) engineered the track layout. Real-world trains don't operate like cartoon-world trains!

Just to be clear, the general alignment of the curve, including the radius, is fine. That's what the track always looked like, the curves are very sharp, and the engines went around them just fine for many many years. But the kink in the curve and especially the kink at the joint looks suspect.

The TTTE Wikia claims that there might be a 2nd Steam Powered Thomas which is oil fired, but this hasn't been confirmed by anyone. http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/B.E.D.T._15 But as it Stands, there is only 1 “real” Thomas in the U.S. Technically, The only “real” Thomas in the world is at the Nene Valley Railway in the UK, as the Rev. W. Awdry (The guy who wrote the book series that the Thomas & Friends TV Series is based on) named it himself.

And ironically, it looks nothing like the animated and subsequently recreated Thomas that so many are used to.

My lady and I visited Kennywood Park on Memorial Day. "Thomas" was sidetracked and one of the surviving "Gimbels" locomotives was running in his place.

/s/ Larry

They have had a weight distribution problem with the Thomas overlay on the other Vulcan chassis. It has derailed several times when they tried to use it. The smart thing to do would be to order a new Thomas that will track properly instead of trying to save a dime by using a body that is too big for the chassis.

Kennywood has announced that after only seven seasons, they are discontinuing "Thomas Town" and "re-theming" the rides located there, presumably including the train. Whether the "Thomas" Vulcan will revert to its original 1939 World's Fair appearance or something else is not yet public knowledge. One might surmise that Kennywood's owners decided the royalties charged by HIT Entertainment were simply not worth it.

/s/ Larry