The Century Flyer is a
gauge
Gauge ( or ) may refer to:
Measurement
* Gauge (instrument), any of a variety of measuring instruments
* Gauge (firearms)
* Wire gauge, a measure of the size of a wire
** American wire gauge, a common measure of nonferrous wire diameter, es ...
train originally built as an
amusement park
An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central ...
ride. It is located on the grounds of the Conway Human Development Center, a residential facility that treats patients with developmental disabilities at 150 East Siebenmorgen Road in
Conway, Arkansas
Conway is a city in the U.S. state of Arkansas and the county seat of Faulkner County, located in the state's most populous Metropolitan Statistical Area, Central Arkansas. Although considered a suburb of Little Rock, Conway is unusual in that ...
.
History
This train was built in the early 1950s by
National Amusement Devices, a manufacturer of
roller coaster
A roller coaster, or rollercoaster, is a type of amusement ride that employs a form of elevated railroad track designed with tight turns, steep slopes, and sometimes inversions. Passengers ride along the track in open cars, and the rides are o ...
cars.
This company built several of the Century Flyer train sets for use at amusement parks around the country. This particular train set was sold to the
Burns Park "Funland" in
North Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.
In 1959, the train and tracks were sold to a local professional women's organization, who donated them to the Conway Human Development Center (then known as the Arkansas Children's Colony) for use by the patients. One third of a mile of track was laid and two trestles were built.
Over the years, the train and track fell into disrepair. The Central Arkansas Model Railroad Club volunteered to upgrade and refurbish the train and track.
The Century Flyer was listed in the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
due to its being one of the few remaining trains built by National Amusement Devices still operating.
See also
*
References
External links
Central Arkansas Model Railroad Club article on the Century Flyer
{{National Register of Historic Places
Rail transportation on the National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas
Buildings and structures in Conway, Arkansas
Amusement rides
National Register of Historic Places in Faulkner County, Arkansas