@FortWorthParks
An iconic Fort Worth attraction that started in the late ‘50s is back on track — pun intended. The much beloved Forest Park Mini Train welcomed its first passengers earlier this week after being out of commission for over a year. Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price and her grandson, as well as current Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker were just two of the names that were included on the passenger’s list for this mini train’s first ride in several months.
"All of us have memories on this wonderful train track," Parker told Fox 4 News. "I think that’s why there’s been so much media attention. Everyone in Fort Worth has some attachment to this amazing part to Trinity Park, being on this train."
The train is usually open year-round, but last November this mini locomotive, which sat idle for months, was no longer making its five-mile round-trip train ride around the Trinity Park and TCU/Zoo area due to disrepair. Since the train was sitting dormant, the city, who owns the property where the train runs, issued the operator a 60-day ultimatum to honor the terms of its long-standing contract.
According to current owner Mary Talley, she inherited shares in the attraction when her grandmother passed away, but did not become principal owner until recently, when the pandemic and other challenges de-railed the attraction.
"The trains were in need of a facelift. These are the original 1972 CP Huntingtons my family purchased back then. It’s just not a lot of CP Huntingtons for sale, so we had to refurbish them and we were are working with some vendors right now to build some new engines," Talley said. "We have worked diligently to refurbish this 1972 CP Huntington. Our plan is to make the trains bigger and better than ever.”
Currently, mini train fans of all ages can get their nostalgia fix by hopping on board the iconic bright red and yellow miniature train any day of their choosing, weather permitting.
"Thank you to the city for giving us the time and being patient with us. We had some supply chain problems getting this back on track, no pun intended," Talley said.
Mayor Parker added in a Tweet, “Excited to see this beloved Fort Worth treasure back up and running thanks to the hard work and cooperative efforts of @FortWorthParks and Talley Amusements.”
