South Main Narrow Gauge Ry.

[WillowBend56]

About a year ago I saw a card-size paper railroad pass with that name on it. It was from Houston and dated about 1936.

Was this a predecessor of the miniature Hermann Park train?

Update: Kiddie Wonderland ticket from the toy train located at 7800 South Main Street.

[Highrise Tower]

Any clues on what this could have been?

[Mr.rpm]

Kiddie Wonderland

[jallaway]

I've read that the Hermann Park train used to be at Playland Park (9200 South Main); but I'd have no idea what is was called back then.  Another tidbit is that Playland Park shows to have opened in 1940

 

 

[Dave W]

1 hour ago, jallaway said:

I've read that the Hermann Park train used to be at Playland Park (9200 South Main); but I'd have no idea what is was called back then.  Another tidbit is that Playland Park shows to have opened in 1940

 

 

There was no miniature train at Playland Park. But the Slusky brothers, who owned Playland Park, also operated the miniature train at Hermann Park.

[NenaE]

As mentioned above... maybe Kiddie Wonderland.

 

 

 

[NenaE]

Playland Park did have some kind of train at one time. 

 

Edited June 2, 2023 by NenaE

[NenaE]

Maybe the narrow gauge pass was a reference to the trolley line on S.Main. It was still in service for a short time after the Bellaire line closed. On early topo. maps it's drawn smaller than the RR tracks that ran close to Almeda Rd. 

[Mr.rpm]

Kiddie Wonderland.....train is shown near the end of the video.....rode all those rides MANY times ..  

 

and 

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Mr.rpm
spelling

[Highrise Tower]

Confirmed this was apart of the Kiddie Wonderland amusement park.  The key determining factor was the train number.

I found the South Main Narrow Gauge Ry. tickets as described in the original posting.  I will transcribe the tickets and also include photos below.

I actually have @Mr.rpmto thank for linking us with that last YouTube video of KW.  I found the matching train number 97 on the video.

Front:

South Main Narrow Gauge Ry.
In
Houston, Texas

1934-1936
Pass
Account
Good until December 31, 1936, unless otherwise limited.
Valid when countersigned by
J.L. Hardin
__________?
Executive Vice President

Back:

South Main Narrow Gauge Ry.
In
Houston, Texas

Conditions.

Not transferable and the person accepting and using this pass thereby assumes all risk of accident of inquiry to person or loss or damage to property and expressly agrees not to hold above named company nor its owner, liable for same.

If presented by any other than the person named on the front therefor the Conductor will take up this pass and culled full fare.

This pass is void of any alterations or ensures are may be revoked at any time and must be signed in ink by the holder.

I accept the above conditions hereby certify and declare that I am not prohibited by and law (either State or Federal) from accepting or using this pass, and I further agree that I will not make use of all any time when or where such use would be violation of law.

Good on “97”

Train "97" as seen here.