Train Rides  
railroad 1937
train 1937
Anyone who has visited LeSourdsville Lake has most likely had to wait for a train before entering the park. Train tracks were installed along the east border of the park and along the old Miami Erie Canal basin to serve the Middletown Works of Armco Steel (now known as AK Steel). Trains carrying hot steel made their way from the Middletown facility to another facility in nearby New Miami. Passenger trains made their way through the area also and provided a convenient drop off point for visitors as this picture shows in 1936. [Photo credit: park archives] Meanwhile, inside the park, a narrow gauge train ride provided younger visitors with some thrills. [Photo credit: park archives]
train 1953
iro horse
In 1953, the park purchased a National Amusement Device (NAD) Century Flyer model that was trackless was popular in parks across the country. [Photo credit: park archives] In 1964, the park purchased a NAD Union Pacific Frontier replica. The cabins along the lake were torn down to make way for the new attraction. A train station was constructed at the turnaround of the Space Rocket (Screechin' Eagle) roller coaster. A themed-area was built at the north end of the park called Tombstone Territory where the trade made a stop for passengers to witness a train robbery. [Photo credit: park archives]
iron horse
iron horse
In 1976, passengers were able to visit Tombstone Territory, shop and eat for a couple hours, then catch the train back to the midway. [Photo credit: park archives] The original name of the train was called the Iron Horse. In the 1980's, the name was changed to the John Henry. [Photo credit: Scott Fowler]
iron horse 2002
In 2002, the yellow and black paint scheme was changed to a green and red scheme. [Photo credit: Scott Fowler]

 

 

Southwest Ohio Amusement Park Historical Society link