The Tommy G. Robertson Railroad (TGRR), also known as the Six Flags Railroad, is a heritage railway that circles Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri.[1]
The railroad circles the entire park, with stations in 1904 World's Fair and Bugs Bunny National Park.
History[]
The Six Flags Railroad, now known as the Tommy G. Robertson Railroad, is a 3' narrow gauge heritage railway built by the now defunct Crown Metal Products. It opened alongside the park on June 5, 1971 running two locomotives, each with a consist of four cars and a caboose.
During the construction of Batman: The Ride during 1994-1995 off-season, the railroad's layout was changed slightly, pushing the bend out farther to make room for Batman's size. This change made the corner just behind Batman's final brake run much sharper.
For Holiday in the Park 2018, the Tommy G. saw the introduction of on-board, pre-recorded audio similar to the Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, narrated by a cast member of the Tinseltones. However, the new system was not carried into the main season once the park re-opened for 2019.
Near the very end of the 2022 season, one of Tommy G.'s driving wheel axles snapped just after exiting the roundhouse during an operating day, rendering the engine immobile. This caused a shutdown that lasted the remainder of the season, the entire offseason, and most of the 2023 season. During the downtime, the Plymouth Switcher was temporarily on display atop the Studio Backlot trestle for the duration of Holiday Square (A one-off event during the 2022-23 offseason, not to be confused with Holiday In The Park), adorned with Christmas lights, tinsel, and a giant teddy bear in the driver's seat.
Locomotives[]
No. 5 "Lil Rock"[]
This locomotive was green, and served as one of the two locomotives during the early years of the park. While it was in service at Six Flags Over Mid-America, it was named "Lil Rock." At some point during the mid-to-late 1980's, it was sold to and currently operates at Busch Gardens Tampa, retaining it's running no. 5. it did not keep its original name however, and now is referred to as #5, or occasionally simply as "Yellow," thanks to the bright yellow coat it now wears.
- Wheel Configuration: 4-4-0 "American"
- Entered Service: June 5, 1971
- Operating Status: In Service (Relocated to Busch Gardens Tampa.)
No. 6 "Tommy G. Robertson"[]
This locomotive is red, and has been in service since the park opened. It was originally named "Eureka," but was renamed in 1996 as tribute to former Vice President of Maintenance, Tommy G. Robertson, following his retirement. He was responsible for much of the park's construction. Due to very limited public documentation, it is unclear whether the engine bore the name "Eureka" all the way up until its rename in 1996. When it was built, the smokebox carried the running number, "6," however sometime during or after the rename it was replaced by the initials of its name, now running a stylized "TR."
- Wheel Configuration: 4-4-0 "American"
- Entered Service: June 5, 1971
- Operating Status: In Service
Plymouth Switcher[]
Not much is known about this switching engine, other than that it is a 3' narrow gauge diesel-electric 0-4-0 switcher built by the Plymouth Locomotive Works. It has no official running number, but the side of the cab bears a "Six Flags R.R." emblem.
- Wheel Configuration: 0-4-0
- Entered Service: Unknown
- Operating Status: In Service
Trivia[]
- The "Liberty Bell" in the Old Chicago Train Station is the oldest attraction in the park, at over 250 years old. It was carved from the Liberty Tree, which once stood beside where River King Mine Train is now, in Gateway to the West.
- The Tommy G. Robertson is one of three remaining steam powered locomotives in the Six Flags chain. The other two operate at Six Flags Over Texas on the Six Flags & Texas Railroad.
- The Tommy G, No. 5, and almost all other Crown locomotives are serviced by the Tweetsie Railroad, a heritage steam railroad in Bowling Rock, NC. Tweetsie is one of the only railroads that has the shop, equipment, and knowledge necessary to build and machine parts to keep Crown locomotives running.
Gallery[]
Videos[]
Images[]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Tommy G. Robertson Railroad. Six Flags St. Louis.
