NOTE: We are very sad to say the train will not be running this year. We have started the process of rebuilding it but it will be very costly and time-consuming. We do have great hopes that it’ll be running for 2024s show.
The old Great Northern Railway depot was built in about 1885. Passenger service was discontinued in 1970 and the Dalton Depot was moved to the grounds in 1972. The Laker Express treats passengers to a half-mile loop ride. This steam locomotive was built in Paris, France, in 1914 by the Decauville Company. The narrow gauge engine is a wood burning, saddle tank style locomotive with a homemade supplemental fuel tender. The original number for the locomotive was 5898. It weighs about four tons and is rated at 40 hp. The engine survived both World Wars I and II. During WW II, the Germans captured it from the French and used it to haul ammunition. In 1970 it was exported from Hamburg, Germany to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The locomotive was brought to the LRPTA grounds in 1972. Rail was donated and the track loop completed in 1986. Homemade passenger cars were made by volunteers to carry about 24 passengers and in 1998 an engine house was completed. Since then, changes include an addition to the engine house and a passenger loading dock completed, plus an engine turntable in the works.
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The old Great Northern Railway depot was built in about 1885. Passenger service was discontinued in 1970 and the Dalton Depot was moved to the grounds in 1972. The Laker Express treats passengers to a half-mile loop ride. This steam locomotive was built in Paris, France, in 1914 by the Decauville Company. The narrow gauge engine is a wood burning, saddle tank style locomotive with a homemade supplemental fuel tender. The original number for the locomotive was 5898. It weighs about four tons and is rated at 40 hp. The engine survived both World Wars I and II. During WW II, the Germans captured it from the French and used it to haul ammunition. In 1970 it was exported from Hamburg, Germany to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The locomotive was brought to the LRPTA grounds in 1972. Rail was donated and the track loop completed in 1986. Homemade passenger cars were made by volunteers to carry about 24 passengers and in 1998 an engine house was completed. Since then, changes include an addition to the engine house and a passenger loading dock completed, plus an engine turntable in the works.
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