Birmingham Zoo Express

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Revision as of 23:17, 23 July 2007 by Sagefats (talk | contribs) (added info on 57-76 trains)
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The Birmingham Zoo Express is a two-foot gauge zoo train at the Birmingham Zoo.

The train consists of an electric-powered engine and four open passenger carriages totaling 88 feet long with a seating capacity of about 65-75 people. The train's circuit includes 4,200 feet of track.

Train rides cost $2.25 per person. Riders purchase tokens at a kiosk that are handed to the conductor before boarding. The current conductor is Joe Meadow.

From 1976 to 2001 the zoo operated a Crown propane-fired steam locomotive. This train was sold to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum. It was painstakingly repaired by mechanic Denverd Moss and is currently operated as the "Shelby & Southern Railroad" at the Calera museum.

From 1957 to 1976, the zoo operated two smaller trains, which were miniature representations of the first-generation of streamlined diesel locomotives. Currently, these trains are set to undergo a restoration at the Southeastern Railway Museum, near Atlanta, Ga.

References

  • Batson, Roger Jr (July 5, 2007) "Zoo train conductor rides rail to relaxation despite old job injury." Birmingham News.
  • Lathrop, Dave (November 6, 2005) "Steam returns to Alabama". Railway Preservation News Briefs.
  • Birmingham Rewound: Fun & Games www.birminghamrewound.com (October 21, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-7-23.

External links

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