A 1950’s park locomotive that has spent most its life taking children for rides in South Dakota, is now part of the Black River Railroad at the Michigan Flywheelers Museum.
Built by Clark Manufacturing Company in Bradenton, Florida, the gas-powered “Tom Thumb” was purchased by the museum as an additional engine that will be used to work on the track as well as offer rides.
“The Tom Thumb will be easier and quicker to operate that the steam-powered Hanson Express locomotive which takes a couple hours to power up,” explains Patrick Ingalls, museum president.
The museum is in the process of building a 15-inch railroad after it was given the Hanson Express. The Hanson park model engine was built by the Israelite House of David in Benton Harbor for its Eden Springs Park. Eden Springs closed in the 1970s.
According to South Dakota resident Kevin Nelson, this Tom Thumb was owned by the Star-lite Drive-In Theatre in Huron, South Dakota and was part of the theater’s children’s play area. When the theatre was set for demolition in 1990, the train and track was set to be demolished as well, but a member of Nelson’s family happen to go by as the theatre was being torn down.
“By the time he got there,” explained Nelson, “all that was left was the engine. The track and cars had already been crushed.”
The little engine stayed in the family for years, and it was only recently that Nelson made the decision to sell it hoping that someone would restore it and put it to good use.
That is exactly what the museum plans to do. After a three-day trip to bring it back to South Haven, museum members are now in the process of planning it’s restoration.
“We have a little bit of work to do on it before it’s ready to use,” explained Ingalls. “But once it’s up and running, it will be a nice addition to our railroad.” Eventually, the group plans to offer rides on the train to its visitors.
The Michigan Flywheelers Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of antique engines and tractors. It is located on 84 acres east of South Haven at 06285 68th Street, 49090.
Visit the museum web site at http//www.michiganflywheelers.org
