Grand Scale trains

The 900 and 902 MTC G16s

_{G16 refers to the track gauge which in this instance is 16 inches between the rails as compared to full size rail which is 56.5 inches.}

The Southeastern Railway Museum has two G16s train sets which were produced by the Miniature Train Company (MTC). Each of the two “Suburban” train sets include one “A” unit locomotive, three coaches (instead of the usual two) and one observation car with fishtail.

The two train sets were purchased in 1957 for operation at the Birmingham Zoo. They were owned by Mr. Bob Heath and Associates of Cape Canaveral, FL who engineered the track design (a one mile loop) and operated the Zoo railroad on behalf of the City of Birmingham.
The purchase price for the two train sets, track and installation was $70,000. Mr. Heath later sold to a Mr. Yarborough who operated other concessions within the Zoo.

The first train left the station at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 23, 1957 with engineer Ed Keagals at the throttle. When operation began, heavy ridership dictated the need for two trains to operate simultaneously around the loop, protected by circuit activated block signaling. A slogan printed on the $0.25 tickets read, “For Kids Up To 80”.

In 1976, both train sets were retired when the zoo regauged to 24” and otherwise modernized their railroad.

At that time, the #900 train set (the locomotive was named the “Falcon”) was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Black and relocated to their home just south of Birmingham. It was operated occasionally on a 200 ft. track until the mid 1980’s. The #900 train set was also taken to Rickwood Caverns State Park (Alabama) where it was operated once over an abandoned 16” gage RR there. The #902 train set (the locomotive was named “Vulcan” after the city’s famous iron statue of the Roman god) was also stored at the Black’s by the zoo’s former operator for several years, but was eventually purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Black

Both train sets were donated to the Southeastern Railway Museum by Ben & Joy Black of Birmingham, AL in 2000

In 2006 the 900 locomotive was cosmetically restored and put on display at the museum. It immediately became a focal point for pictures. On any given Saturday, 100+ children are photographed sitting in the engineer’s seat.

The museum has a relatively short term plan of installing approximately 5000 feet of 16 gauge track and returning one of the two train sets to operation. As such, the 900 engine and two passenger cars have been sent out for restoration. We expect that this work will be completed during the 1st quarter of 2009.

Since the 900 engine was sent out for restoration, the museum’s Collections and Preservation team moved ahead with cosmetically restoring the 902 engine. This work began in May of 2008 and concluded last August. The 902 engine is now on display in Building #1.

If you would be interested in supporting this project either in time, material or money, please contact Chuck Hardt at the museum.

This page last updated on Monday March 30 2009