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Serengeti Express

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Serengeti Express
The Serengeti Express in September 2022, with the No. 9 locomotive in the lead
Overview
LocaleBusch Gardens Tampa Bay
Dates of operation1971–present
Technical
Track gauge3 ft (914 mm)
Length2.2 miles (3.5 km)
Other
Website
Serengeti Express
Roundhouse
(not open to public)
Congo
(inactive)
Gondola lift transfers
(via short walks inside park)
Nairobi
Stanleyville
Bus transfer
(via short walk outside park)


The Serengeti Express, formerly known as the Trans Veldt Railway, is a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge heritage railroad and amusement park attraction located within the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay amusement park in Tampa, Florida.[1][2] Opened on July 3, 1971,[2] the railway is about 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long, and has stations in the Nairobi, Congo, and Stanleyville sections of the park. It uses three trains pulled by one of four 4-4-0 type steam locomotives manufactured by Crown Metal Products.[3]

Description

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The railway consists of a loop of about 2.2 miles (3.5 km). During the journey, the train will travel through the Serengeti Plain, where guests can see hundreds of African animals. There are stations in the Nairobi, Congo, and Stanleyville sections of the park, and though the Congo station remains, it is currently out of use. The other two stations contain a water supply that the engine crews use to top off the locomotive's tenders as necessary.

The railway operates four locomotives and three sets of open-sided passenger coaches. Two of the locomotives were built specifically for Busch Gardens and resemble locomotives used in Africa in the early 1890s; only one of these is still in service. The other two locomotives, which were acquired from previous owners, have a more American appearance, but with slight modifications to match the African theming.[4]

Locomotives

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All four locomotives are propane-fueled steam engines.

Serengeti Express locomotive details[3]
Number Image Wheel arrangement Date built Builder Date entered service Notes
4 4-4-0 (American) 1971 Crown Metal Products 1971 1890s African-themed.[2] Painted in green livery. Currently out of service.
5 4-4-0 (American) 1970 Crown Metal Products 1980s Painted in yellow livery. Originally built for Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri.
9 4-4-0 (American) 1971 Crown Metal Products 1971 1890s African-themed.[2] Painted in red livery (originally blue).
601 4-4-0 (American) 1974 Crown Metal Products 1990s Painted in green livery. Originally built for Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Park History - BGA Online". sites.google.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d McMorrow-Hernandez, Joshua (2017). Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Images of Modern America (1st ed.). Arcadia Publishing. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-4671-2495-9.
  3. ^ a b "Crown Locomotive Roster". trainweb.org. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "Busch Gardens History". www.tampapix.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
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