Ticket to Ride
America’s Theme Park Trains
Barry R. Hill
foreword by Michael Campbell
Amusement park trains were nothing new when Walt opened Disneyland in 1955. But just as his magical playground ushered in a new concept of themed entertainment, so did his magnificent railroad. The grand station situated above the entrance to the park wasn’t just another ride—it beckoned guests to embark on an exciting adventure, journeying back to another time and place.
The golden age of regional theme parks quickly followed, and each featured a 19th century railroad. Almost all of them started out as steam-powered operations, many utilizing restored locomotives and equipment dating back to the early 1900s, others placing their orders with a small family-owned metal shop in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania.
Fall 2025
Over time the trouble and expense of running such complex attractions began derailing much of the fun. Some parks quit the game completely while others searched for ways to lower the burden, often switching to what’s known as “steam outline” locomotives—essentially a truck engine and transmission hidden underneath a costume. Equipment was shuffled back and forth between owners over the years, some now rusting away in a backlot somewhere, others still running daily.
This is their story—how they got started and where they are now. Grab your ticket to ride and hop on board!
Michael Campbell is a preeminent Disney Railroad historian. You’ve seen him on many official Disney-related projects, including consulting for the Disney Family Museum. Catch his YouTube documentaries on Disney train history, Once Upon a Train.
Dale Moore, who illustrated the beautiful cover, is a former Disney artist who also did much of the graphic design and signage at the Kings parks in the 70s.
Discover more
The fascinating stories behind these theme parks can be found in Imagineering an American Dreamscape: Genesis, Evolution, and Redemption of the Regional Theme Park.