Do Adults and children like trains enough that they would pay a fee to ride a small one in a park setting?

Question

When I was a kid in the mid to late 70's, there were many midwestern municipal parks that had small railroads in them. In some cases they were free or charged a nominal fee. Both Children and adults could ride inside the cars and travel on simple loops of track or sometimes through more complicated scenery. Many of these amusement rides have since been abandoned due to insurance or operating costs and the trains themselves are collectors items.

It was a relatively simple form of entertainment that I imagine grew out of America's fascination with the real railroads especially since many of our parents had traveled the rails when they were younger. The great part was that both Children and their parents or grandparents could participate together.

Do you believe this entertainment situation could still work today? Or, have we all grown so busy that no one would be interested?

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

I'm on the same page with you.  Yes, I would love to ride those trains again.

Answer 3

nowadays, most parks that have a small train or railroad in them (aka Disney World, Six Flags in temrs of amusement parks) or rural parks such as Tilden Pak in Berkeley California, make you pay a small fee to ride the train or trains around the park.

Answer 4

Absolutely!

Answer 5

It still does.  There is a train at the zoo here that people ride on all the time.

Answer 6

yes, my kids love those trains which are still in existance yet few and far between

Answer 7

Definetely. Theres a park near me that has a train like this. Kids love it, and Adults find it makes a good thing to do with small children in the afternoon on the weekends. Try not to make it too expensive tho (its about $2 or 3 for the train near me per ticket).

Yes, I think LOTS of people would enjoy that. Just make sure you get the word out!

Answer 8

as a train enthusiast, I would pay the small fee....trains of this type are no longer about in many places.  When we go to the amusement parks and they have trains....this is a must to ride for me and my family....it takes us back to our childhoods and a simpler time....

This type of entertainment can work wonders for today's youth...it can give them a chance to connect with their parents on a level that only trains and the like can give.....again, it comes down to how these children were raised and how their parents perceive the importance of the trains..

Answer 9

Yes I do believe it would still work today.  I know in the summer, we travel far to just ride a train.  Doesn't matter how much it cost, we do it.  We love it and hate it when the ride is over.  We have rode Thomas the Train many times and other trains.  It would be nice to have something like that, if the parks could afford it, or would want to take the time to do something like this.  There are train rides at the Zoo, amusement parks, and other places.  But you have to pay a substantial amount or wait in line for a long time.  But I think in the end, it brings enjoyment to people and also some history.

Answer 10

I hope they come back. They were always fun.

Answer 11

Yes.

Answer 12

Disneyland has the Disneyland Railroad, a 3 foot gauge steam railroad that runs around the outside of the park. The San Francisco Zoo has a live steam train; the gauge is about 18 inches. In the hills above Berkeley the city park runs a miniature steam train that gives rides to the public. Also, there are various full size 'tourist' railroads where volunteers restore, build and operate antique railroad rolling stock including steam locomotives, and offer rides to the public. Two that I know of are the Texas State Railroad and the Niles Canyon Railway.

Answer 13

Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee WI & Six Flags - Gurnee Mills,Il are two places that come to mind that still have trains running.  They are both kept pretty busy and are popular with kids.