BESSEMER RAILWAY SYSTEM

Manufacturer:
Allen Herschell

History:
Conneaut Lake Park’s first miniature train was installed in 1904 and was located on the Free Act Lawn. From 1910 until the early 1940s the park went without a miniature train ride when the current miniature train tracks were constructed. Over the years the models of these trains have changed, reflecting the full sized models of their day. The current Iron Horse train, built by the Alan Hershell Company (the same company that built the Little Dipper in Kiddieland) was introduced. In 1992 the miniature train was renamed the Bessemer Railway System to reflect the early full sized railroads that once brought pleasure seekers to the Conneaut Lake Park resort.

Brick By Brick the Train has been saved!

For the last couple years, the Bessemer Railway System has been out of service because of high maintenance costs. This year, the train opened on July 4th weekend with a grand reopening ceremony. The project was funded by a "Buy-A-Brick" campaign where guests purchased bricks that will be engraved with the name of anyone they want to memorialize. The bricks will pave the path that connects the loading platform to the midway. CLICK HERE to learn more about the campaign. The campaign raised over $60,000!