What is more Orange County than Walter Knott’s berry field turned theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm? You might know someone who still remembers when it was just a boysenberry field. I remember hearing about the days when there was no admission to enter the place and you could walk around freely. The Calico Ghost Town is one of my favorite things to see when we visit and today I was happy to visit it again.
We had the opportunity to attend the re-dedication and renaming of Engine 41 to the Walter K as part of the kick off to the 60th anniversary of Ghost Town and the Calico Railroad at Knott’s Berry Farm. Marion Knott, daughter of Walter and Cordelia Knott was in attendance. She presided over the recreation of the golden spike ceremony from January 12, 1952, which marked the completion of the Calico Railroad at Knott’s. She is into her 90s but gets around just fine still.
Marion Knott watching the gold spike
This weekend only, in honor of the anniversary, Knott’s is giving tours of the roundhouse where the locomotives are stored and repaired. Also on display is the private train car originally designed for the President of the Rio Grande Southern Railway, affectionately named “Edna.” It’s like a small house! The tour is only $5 and runs regularly between 11 AM and 4 PM.
We got to take the tour of the roundhouse. It’s amazing the size of these locomotives up close. What’s even more impressive is how the skilled train mechanics keep these old machines working like new. Did you know that most replacement parts for the trains are created right in the shop? How cool is that?
Locomotive repair work at Knott's
In addition to the tours, the Del Oro Pacific Modular Railroad has set up the “G” scale trains inside the Boardwalk Ballroom (the old Cloud 9 Ballroom for you purists). The trains are the larger scale than you typically see on display. The miniature scenes were also unique and fun to look at. Members of the club are on hand to answer any questions and talk trains with you.
Model of one of the actual Knott's trains.
If you have any train enthusiasts in your family, this is certainly the weekend to trek over to “The Farm.” We love Knott’s because it has character and charm like no other place. My kids love Camp Snoopy. Knott’s the only place I know where you can find Boysenberry Punch, which is about the best drink ever made, in my opinion. The food is awesome too, whether eating a fresh funnel cake with Boysenberry topping or dining at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Restaurant, you are sure have a happy tummy. For more information on this special event, visit here.
