The Original Parktrains Website

The History of Parktrains

Chance Rides

Sadly, steam technology is obsolete. Few modern mechanics are competent to work on steam boilers and engines. Most parks are now scared of steam, especially after the Gettysburg Railroad's boiler accident a few years ago. This is a shame, as steam locomotives are no more dangerous than a family automobile when they are properly mantained and operated.

There's something about a steam locomotive, however, that appeals to people. Since most people don't know the difference between steam and diesel locomotives anyway, Chance Manufacturing Company has cashed in on the looks of a steam train without actually having a steam boiler. Their "C.P.Huntington" train is based upon a real, antique steam locomotive which now resides in the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, CA.

This park train is still being made, and is becoming increasingly popular as parks replace their maintenance-intensive Crowns and other live steamers. The Chance train is not a steam locomotive, however. Hidden inside that fake boiler (well, OK, the cab and "fuel bunker") is a gasoline, diesel, or propane-burning infernal combustion engine. The engine powers an automatic transmission which drives the wheels on the front and rear trucks. The big "drive wheel" in the middle is just along for the ride. About the only real purpose it serves is to make the "steam pistons" go back and forth.

There are a lot of advantages to this system. Just about any competent modern mechanic can work on a Chance train. Mantaining a real steam engine today requires a specialist in the truest sense of the word. The controls on a Chance train are easier to learn, as well -- just a throttle, brake, bell, and whistle. With a live steam engine, there are things like injectors, oilers, firing valves, water galsses, and other parerphenalia which the operator must either constantly monitor or manually operate.

Chance is still a major supplier of amusement rides, including Ferris wheels, carousels, and other thrill rides. The company has also offered other park trains besides the C.P. Huntington. I received the following in an email from Terry W. Shirley:

You might be interested to know that Chance also manufactured a train similar to that which was built by Allen Herschell Co. They built a total of 15 "Rocketliners" which ran on 15" gauge track and were powered by two cylinder Wisconsin engines through a mechanical transmisson. They were more crude than the Herschell train or those of the earlier Miniature Train Co. and physically smaller, as well. One of the Rocketliner locomotives is on public display at the Royal Gorge Bridge Co. at Canon City, Co. They also are running a 24" gauge C.P. Huntington.

If anyone has a photo of a Chance Rocketliner, or knows of any still in operation, please let me know.

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