[DaveVan]

Hello! Found this site while looking for Carowinds indo today. I worked at Carowinds during the 74 and 75 seasons. I worked on the Carowinds Carolina RR as a engineer and conductor. I had moved to the Charlotte area after living in So. California and was thrilled when Pat Hall built the park....and having loved trains, as Pat did, knew I had to work at Carowinds. The statute of limitations has run out on most of what we did during the early Carowinds years so if you want to hear some early days stories from a old guy I'll chime in.

I can't believe what has happened to Carowinds....last time I was there was a First Union employees night if that tells you how long ago it was! Flume gone, my trains gone...so many things...but time moves on. Working for Pat was not easy....but the park had a very different feel than in later years.
Thanks
Dave

[bgwfreak]

Welcome Dave!

You and Ken (swampfox43) might have to fight it out to see who is older.

I don't know if you knew or not, but Melodia ended up at Neverland Ranch. And today I was wondering if it is still there, or some small/big park has bought it now.

A friend of mine said the pirate ship from Neverland is now up at Beech Bend.

Don't know what happened to the other engine, Ken might now.

I've been going since opening year (when I was 1). So you probably were running the train one day when I was there in diapers.

[DaveVan]

Thanks....I sent Swampfox a PM. Loco No 2 ended up at Naverland....but was too large for the curves and never made a trip. It was there last year but rumored to have been sold. Loco No 1 Melodia is in service and being very well taken care of on the Pacific Coast RR.

[bgwfreak]

Thanks....I sent Swampfox a PM. Loco No 2 ended up at Naverland....but was too large for the curves and never made a trip. It was there last year but rumored to have been sold. Loco No 1 Melodia is in service and being very well taken care of on the Pacific Coast RR.

Did Melodia run at Neverland? I read PCRR's article but it wasn't really clear on that.

[MarkD]

Hello Dave, I am suddenly not feeling so old now. I was only 13 when Carowinds opened. Welcome and you know we would love to hear some stories.

[DaveVan]

Melodia was never at Neverland......No. 2 'Ole Blue' was sold off when Carowinds shutdown the trains and ended up at MJ's.

[b&mcoaster1095]

So the railroad did end up running at Neverland? Or it was just the trains? I'm confused...

[DaveVan]

Neverland was to copy Disneyland as MJ loved Disney but was unable to go. From the start it had a railroad around its perimeter. They had a very small 4-2-4 loco that was used but could not pull a full train. When Carowinds No. 2 became available they bought it and had it transported the 3000 miles to Ca. On testing the loco it was found the curves were to tight for the big Carowinds loco which Pat Hall had built to be full size and as authentic as possible. The last I understood the loco remanded in storage and not used but on another BB someone said Carowinds No 2 did run but not often as MJ's personal troubles had started. Not sure which is true as info on Neverland is spotty at best. Where Carowinds No 2 is today is what I am looking into now.

The Carowinds cars.....one set ended up at Pacific Coast and are in use.....the other set was at the park in 1980 but where they went after that is unknown.

[swampfox43]

The Carowinds cars.....one set ended up at Pacific Coast and are in use.....the other set was at the park in 1980 but where they went after that is unknown.

Dave, I look forward to hearing more from you. Yes, the train carriages were in the park in 1980.
Here is proof:
http://www.carowindsearlyyears.com/traincarriages80.jpg
Still not sure when they were removed though. Eventually I will come across that information and will update the site.

Also, welcome to CC. It's nice to get some older folks in here.

[BoociferPatch]

It's so great hearing from you and many others about the old days of the park. It looked so much better and way different than the current state it is in today.

[formeryogi]

Please refresh my memory...

Why was the railroad shut down? I can still hear the conductors telling passengers to hold on tight because we were going to start with a "suuuuurrrrgggge of power."

[DaveVan]

I can't say for 100% sure....but Federal regulations came in about 1978 that made boiler inspections tougher and more costly. I bet No. 1 would not have passed without costly mods....and No 2 would need work too. Add to it running the railroad was not the job for your average teen (even though I was when I did it!) A boiler explosion is very likely if the engineer does not pay 100% attention to what is going on....and a boiler explosion can be VERY devastating. (much like a large bomb) I'm sure between the cost and lawyers....the trains had to go.
Dora/Shortline is not a steam loco but is rather just a small truck engine like you would see on any road and thus not Federal regulated.

[swampfox43]

I can't say for 100% sure....but Federal regulations came in about 1978 that made boiler inspections tougher and more costly. I bet No. 1 would not have passed without costly mods....and No 2 would need work too. Add to it running the railroad was not the job for your average teen (even though I was when I did it!) A boiler explosion is very likely if the engineer does not pay 100% attention to what is going on....and a boiler explosion can be VERY devastating. (much like a large bomb) I'm sure between the cost and lawyers....the trains had to go.
Dora/Shortline is not a steam loco but is rather just a small truck engine like you would see on any road and thus not Federal regulated.

Great info there Dave. I always assumed they took out the train due to the possible liabilities of the GP having to cross the tracks. But then I noticed many other theme parks have used the crossing gates for decades. They had crossing gates 1 year, 1976, when you went to Thunder Road.

Dave, am I correct in that the trains stopped operating after the '76 season?

[chunkyskunk]

I am not the oldest here but maybe somewhere close to the top. I am 41 and I remember the park in the earlier years. I am thrilled we are getting a new and large coaster for 2010 but I do miss many of the rides from the 70's and 80's that are now gone. This is not directly related to the previous post but just thought I would jump in and say hello.

[Drafin]

Just checking in to the old fuddy duddy thread...

I'm 40 and remember going to park several times over the first couple of years. I remember the go karts (were they called Can-Am racers?) and many of the now long since gone attractions.

I also remember thinking as a kid how hot it was on that brand new asphalt and almost braking an ankle in the trolley tracks. I was a little fella back then.

Draf