> Webpage for Nelson Blount's first operation
> beyond Edaville. Located at Wakefield,
> Mass.. It was still the proverbial
> "abandoned amusement park" of the
> horror film genre last I knew.

Bob, I grew up only a few miles from Pleasure Island and went there several times as a kid. We visited after it closed as well, and watched the site deteriorate year after year, very sad. This was also where the beautiful Greenwood-Wakefield victorian depot was relocated to, and tragically burned by vandals. Looking at that list of locomotives, it's hard to believe they were ever there. The Newburyport branch, which they arrived on was abandoned by the Guilford Co. and now owned by the MBTA. It sits unused and completely overgrown.

There is barely a trace of the park today, home instead to several office buildings and a high rise condominium. A southbound exit off of I-95 in Wakefield however still says "Pleasure Island Rd."


SJHussar@aol.com

Not sure where this is. Anyone know?

http://www.railroadpix.com/rrphotos/detail/523.htm
ryarger@rypn.org

http://www.railroadpix.com/rrphotos/detail/523.html
ryarger@rypn.org

This is about as small as they come in standard gauge.

http://www.railroadpix.com/rrphotos/detail/524.html
ryarger@rypn.org

> This is about as small as they come in
> standard gauge.
Ummm, this locomotive was NOT standard gauge.... I should know, i worked on it's restoration for more than 90 days way back in 93....It was originally built as a 2ft gauge loco. It has a 4 cylinder Climax engine, with the axles being chain drive. During it's restoration we rebuilt the cab, as it was cut down sometime during it's life. For many years, it sat outside a gas station here in niagara Falls, advertising the gas price. When the owner sold the station, he moved it to his home just south of Niagara Falls, where it sat for some 15+ yrs. He advertised it for sale, and an aquaintence of mine bought it. We restored it to operation in 90 days, and when he moved, he sold it and did not tell us where it went (he was a bit of an ass that way) Anywho, on with the story. Since it was 2ft gauge, it had 22" diameter wheels, inside the frame. Sometime during it's life, The axles were extended, and 24" diameter wheels were added to the outside. Thus creating a very unique dual gauge locomotive. The engine could run on any standard gauge track, but was limited to track with no turnouts on 2ft because of the larger wheels on the outside....I have many pics of the restoration as well as hrs of video. If ya want more info on this little engine, contact me off list.

Ken Jones



digitekfx@kwic.com

Sounds like an interesting story that would make a good article... I think many would like to read it.

> Ummm, this locomotive was NOT standard
> gauge.... I should know, i worked on it's
> restoration for more than 90 days way back
> in 93....It was originally built as a 2ft
> gauge loco. It has a 4 cylinder Climax
> engine, with the axles being chain drive.
> During it's restoration we rebuilt the cab,
> as it was cut down sometime during it's
> life. For many years, it sat outside a gas
> station here in niagara Falls, advertising
> the gas price. When the owner sold the
> station, he moved it to his home just south
> of Niagara Falls, where it sat for some 15+
> yrs. He advertised it for sale, and an
> aquaintence of mine bought it. We restored
> it to operation in 90 days, and when he
> moved, he sold it and did not tell us where
> it went (he was a bit of an ass that way)
> Anywho, on with the story. Since it was 2ft
> gauge, it had 22" diameter wheels,
> inside the frame. Sometime during it's life,
> The axles were extended, and 24"
> diameter wheels were added to the outside.
> Thus creating a very unique dual gauge
> locomotive. The engine could run on any
> standard gauge track, but was limited to
> track with no turnouts on 2ft because of the
> larger wheels on the outside....I have many
> pics of the restoration as well as hrs of
> video. If ya want more info on this little
> engine, contact me off list.

> Ken Jones


ryarger@rypn.org

> Sounds like an interesting story that would
> make a good article... I think many would
> like to read it.
Well, talk to me off site, let me know what i have to do....I'd be happy to share the story of the restoration....

ken


digitekfx@kwic.com

> I'm guessing they were painted with Imron or
> something like it. Imron is a type of paint
> that has plastic in it. It holds up
> sustantially longer that regular paint. It
> is typically used on aircraft but many
> prservation groups use it or other paints
> just like it.

I know what Imron is.

My question is: what did they use ?

I wonder if everyone could post their experiences with the organization of Thomas the Tank Engine events. How much did your group have to put out in advance, both for the engine and advertising? Did you make a profit? Any negative experiences? Was it worth the trouble? Thanks in advance.


cnrnorthern@hotmail.com