Knott's Berry Farm No. 41

[Steve DeGaetano]

Being out of the SoCal amusement park scene, I did not realize that Knott's Ghost Town & Calico Ry. No. 41 (currently named "Walter K," but which will always be known to me as "Red Cliff"), was sent to Durango, Colorado for a complete overhaul a couple years ago. Last November, upon completion, she was allowed to "open up" on the D&S trackage, and really got to stretch her legs. Several videos are out there on YouTube, including this one, which I stumbled upon last week:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZrfbxq-M4M

This engine definitely holds a special place in my heart. It was the first engine I ever got to examine closely. I finally got to see the inner workings of the Stephenson valve gear as I would walk alongside her for a few dozen feet as she would pull out of the Ghost Town depo. The multi-chime whistle was LOUD and would send chills down my spine. The whine of the generator at night was mesmerizing (I was lucky enough to pick up an RGS Locomotive Inspection Report for No. 41 from 1938!). While I'll always love the Disneyland trains, the GT&C was RAILROADING!

For the crews at Knott's who never allow the engine to get up past walking speed, this must have been an amazing adventure.

[Locoboy5150]

Thank you so much for posting the link to this video! I had no idea that number 41 was operational again.

It was fantastic to see number 41 operating in its original state for the first time in many decades! I never ever thought that I'd get to see that.

Though the DRR was the railroad that I credit for making me a life-long train and steam locomotive enthusiast, it was the GT & C RR that made me a life-long Colorado narrow gauge enthusiast.

Hopefully the crew at Knott's will double-head their two C-19s again when they are reunited in Buena Park.

[Locoboy5150]

After cruising through the comments below that video it is interesting how many people have no idea about Knott's Berry Farm and the GT & C RR. So many railfans were asking about if engine 41 would be staying at the D & S. They had absolutely no idea that anyone can see the two C-19s up close and in operation at Knott's...just not at the same time unless they double head them for a special event.

It's just interesting how so many people did not know that Colorado railroading is alive and well down in Buena Park, California and has been for seventy plus years now. All of my life I have always thought that it was a shame how theme/amusement park railroads like the GT & C are so quickly overlooked by supposed "rail fans" because they are not "real railroading." If it were not for train rides in theme/amusement parks, I suspect that the hobby of trains would not have lasted as long as it has.

[Locoboy5150]

Here is another video of Engine 41 doing a test run on the Durango & Silverton, but without the snow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uepMcgSiC4

It is nice to see that it has its original style pilot (cow catcher) again. The pilot that it had during its last few years on the Ghost Town & Calico RR looked more appropriate on a switcher. I think that it was called a "footboard pilot." It sure looked very weird to my eyes though as I had never seen that type of pilot on Engine 41 or Engine 340 before.

[Steve DeGaetano]

Thanks for the video, Locoboy.

I don't think I've seen her fitted with a footboard pilot, but I agree, the boiler tube pilot is more appropriate. She had the boiler tube pilot the last time I saw her at Knott's 18 years ago, so not sure when the footboard pilot was installed.

The last vestige of "amusement park" on the locomotive are the brass handrails!

[Locoboy5150]

You're welcome Steve.

Here is a video from a few years ago that shows Engine 41 with the footboard pilot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqibZMg9WbQ

I have no idea why that pilot was used but it was only on there for a few years. If anyone knows why it was one there, please let us know as I have always been curious about that. Thankfully, it is now gone though!

[Steve DeGaetano]

Thanks! That is so bizarre looking! There isn't even a coupler--let alone a coupler pocket--so it couldn't even be used for any switching.

And no pilot beam handrails, which definitely precludes anyone from actually riding the footboards (which is forbidden on lots of railroads).

[Locoboy5150]

Here is a fairly recent video of Engine 41 back from Colorado and on the GT & C RR this past December:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYfs3VMWQi4

Since it is only pulling one car, I suspect that it was undergoing tests around the park when the video was shot.

That mysterious and strange looking footboard pilot is not on there, thankfully!

[Steve DeGaetano]

Wonder why they didn't fix the dent in the forward air compressor jacket. Also, I wish they'd re-install the correct class lamps. And those RGS flags are kinda neat, but also kinda too big!

[Locoboy5150]

I just wonder how the Six Flags and Cedar Fair merger will effect the GT & C RR and all other railroads in Cedar Fair parks. (The CP & LE RR and the KI & Miami Valley RR also came to my mind when the merger was officially announced recently.) Unfortunately, Six Flags has not been kind to trains in their parks to put it mildly. I imagine that when the Six Flags people first saw the GT & C RR at Knott's the first thought in their little minds was "chopping block."

Hopefully, the Cedar Fair and the Knott's Berry Farm side of the fence kept those Six Flags suits and ties under control!

Note that people in the roller coaster enthusiast community also are uneasy with this merger. Six Flags has a well documented history of not exactly being kind to their older wooden coasters.