It is the anniversary of the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad when the golden spike was driven on May 10, 1869!
Join us in celebrating trains with a fun day of activities centered around the Prairie Zephyr Train and WPP Railroad!
WPP Train Day Activities
Wildlife Prairie Park has a long history with bringing the joy and fun of trains to Central Illinois. This is only a fraction on the history of the WPP Railroad. Come learn even more about trains at WPP Train Day!
1980 - The first train arrived at the Park called the Prairie Puffer. The Prairie Puffer was built in Centralia, Illinois in 1958 and created as a quarter scale version of the 1870’s steam locomotive, the 440 American. Train rides were $1.25 for a round trip train ride. It was retired a few years later for multiple reasons including burning coal, emitting ashes (fire hazard), and the time to prepare the train everyday as well as the difficulty for children to board the train.
1983 - The current black locomotive was repaired, refurbished and started running at the Park. It is a scale replica of a C.P. Huntington Steam Locomotive built by Chance Rides Mfg, Inc. out of Witchita, Kansas. It was delivered to the St. Louis Zoo on March 15, 1973 and was the 108th train built by the company. The Park bought the train in 1983, but before it could run, alterations were made to the tracks. 18,000 additional rail spikes were used to widen the 15-inch gauge to 24 inch totaling 2.2 miles long.
1984 - Train Garage now referred to as the Tin Shed or Train Tunnel was completed
1985 - Santa Fe Train Cabooses became available to stay in overnight at the Park
1994 - WPP Railroad Maintenance Facilities aka Train Pit was completed
1998-1999 - New Caterpillar (Perkins) diesel engine was purchased for the black locomotive.
Late 1990's - The red locomotive or modern style locomotive was built and donated by Bob Linder and Morton Metalcraft.
2011 - Trains were renamed Prairie Zephyr
2012 - Train Museum mural was completed
2019 & 2020 - Automatic road crossing signals and gates added to the railroad
2021 - Renaming of the locomotives. The black locomotive is name Hazel Rutherford 1978. The red locomotive is William Rutherford 1914.
2023 - 2025 - Automatic Block Signals (ABS) system added to the railroad
Wildlife Prairie Park occasionally takes photographs or video of participants for promoting/advertising our programs, services, events, activities, and facilities in our brochures, website, social media, and other promotional materials. By entering Wildlife Prairie Park or registering for, participating in or attending the Park’s programs, events, or other activities, the participant (or parent/guardian of a minor participant) irrevocably agrees to the use and distribution by Wildlife Prairie Park of his or her image (or of his minor child/ward) in photographs, video recordings, and any other electronic reproductions of such programs, events and activities for any purpose without inspection or approval and without compensation, rights to royalties or any other consideration now and in the future.
