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DOLLYWOOD EXPRESS, TENNESSEE, USA (2006)

 

Dollywood theme park began in 1961 as a small Civil War-themed tourist attraction called "Rebel Railroad".  Rebel Railroad's main component was the steam train, but there were also other interesting things on the property such as an old time saloon and general store.  In the late 1960s, the name was changed to "Goldrush Junction", and the Civil War theme gave way to a Wild West theme.  The Cleveland Browns football team purchased Goldrush Junction in 1970 and expanded the park with a log flume and several other small rides.

In 1976, Jack and Pete Herschend of Branson, Missouri bought the park from the Cleveland Browns and the following season changed the name from Goldrush Junction to "Silver Dollar City Tennessee", as a sister park to the Herschends' original Silver Dollar City in Branson.  Dolly Parton joined the Herschend brothers in 1986 when she bought into the theme park and redeveloped it as Dollywood.  The railroad line was kept as a feature of the park, and renamed The Dollywood Express.  The five-mile line provides a 20-minute circular ride in open carriages to the furthest reaches of the park, and back through the centre to the station.  Since opening in 1986, Dollywood has grown to become Tennessee's top tourist attraction.

http://www.dollywood.com/

This photograph and the video stills were taken in September 2006.

Locomotive 70, named "Cinderella", along with her younger sister 192 "Klondike Kate," serve as the main motive power for the Dollywood Express.  Cinderella was built in 1938, Klondike Kate was built in 1943, both by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia.  Both locomotives were used on the White Pass & Yukon Route in Alaska by the US Army during World War II to haul troops and lumber.  Both engines were also used to build the Alcan Highway in Alaska.

 


video still
Preparing "Cinderella" for her trip around the theme park.

 


video still
Large head lamp and American "Stars & Stripes" on the front of "Cinderella".

 


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Letting off steam!  "Cinderella" blew her whistle for some 15 seconds continuously to entertain the passengers.

 


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Loco 70 "Cinderella" in clear view from the rear of the train as she rounds a long tight bend.

 

 

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© Copyright M J Smith, 2006-2009
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