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The Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad is a 3-ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge passenger railroad at the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Point's name derives from the peninsula it's located on, which used to be covered with cedar trees, and began operations in 1870. In 1956, land developers George A. Roose and Emile Legros purchased Cedar Point with plans to build housing developments there. After this news received major backlash from the public, they decided to heavily update the park instead, and make it into a "Disneyland" of the Midwest.
The idea for a scenic railroad at Cedar Point was conceived in 1959, when Roose, president of Cedar Point, made a trip to Disneyland. There he saw one of Walt Disney's narrow-gauge oil-burning steam locomotives, pulling a string of open-air excursion cars around the perimeter of the park. This engine was the Fred Gurley, an 1894 Baldwin 2-4-4T (originally an 0-4-4T Forney type), which had been built for a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana. Two years later, George Roose purchased Maud L., a nearly identical 0-4-4T like the one he had seen at Disneyland.
The idea for a scenic railroad at Cedar Point was conceived in 1959, when Roose, president of Cedar Point, made a trip to Disneyland. There he saw one of Walt Disney's narrow-gauge oil-burning steam locomotives, pulling a string of open-air excursion cars around the perimeter of the park. This engine was the Fred Gurley, an 1894 Baldwin 2-4-4T (originally an 0-4-4T Forney type), which had been built for a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana. Two years later, George Roose purchased Maud L., a nearly identical 0-4-4T like the one he had seen at Disneyland.
Left to right- George Roose's privately owned Porter 0-6-2RT Sartola, and M.A. Patout Porter 0-4-0T Ida P., sitting outside of Lakecraft Welding Co. in Port Clinton, OH. Bob Lorenz Photo, used with permission.
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George Roose then came back to Cedar Point with a plan to build an elevated railway around the entire midway area. The board of directors turned the proposal down; however, there were others within the corporation who were mapping out a railroad along the bay shore.
In early 1962, the board of directors leased a little 36-inch-gauge locomotive from the Patout Plantation in Patoutville, LA, and had it brought to Cedar Point. This engine was a 1909 H.K. Porter, number 4, and named the Ida P. Both sides had their own plans, and after Maud L. arrived at Cedar Point, both sides also had their own engines. Again, George Roose presented the board with his proposal: to build for the 1962 season a 2-mile railroad on his own and lease the right of way from Cedar Point Inc. Like the last time, he was turned down again. Frustrated, he began to consider taking Maud L. to another location and building a little railway there. |
Roose, who had his eyes on the Great Smoky Mountain region, incorporated the Smoky Mountain Amusement Co. on April 19, 1962. The directors and officers were as follows: George Roose, president, treasurer, and director; Sterling Newell Jr., secretary and director; and Albert A. Augustus, director. The company had an authorized capital stock of $500,000. By the summer of 1962, things had changed, as the Cedar Point directors were now more receptive to Roose’s idea. The privately owned railway at Cedar Point was given the go ahead and work began shortly thereafter.
Above- the CP&LE articles of Inc.
On March 22, 1963, the company's name was changed to the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad Co. Since the railroad was operated as a private concession, employees of the railroad were originally paid by the owner (Roose). In 1966, Cleveland Browns football team owner Art Modell and a few of his friends began purchasing stock in the company. Equitable ownership and operation of the company were eventually transferred to Cedar Point Inc. in July 1967. On July 20th, the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad Company was incorporated. This was done mainly to protect the railroad's title, and on November 30, 1990, the company was dissolved by Cedar Point.
Many people from all over the country have helped in compiling the material contained in these volumes. Most of their names appear throughout the text. In particular, many thanks are given to Jack Foster, CP&LE superintendent; George A. Roose; Robert E. Brodhead, Controller of the Cleveland Browns; and Arthur LaSalle, President of the American Railroad Equipment Association.
Today, the Cedar Point Amusement Park has grown to become one of the largest and best parks in the country, and the narrow-gauge steam trains, though mostly overshadowed by Cedar Point's outstanding roller coasters (17) and other large rides (68), are still an important part of the park and a popular attraction. The trains haul over 1,000,000 passengers per year in open-air coaches built on the trucks of retired D&RGW narrow-gauge stock cars. Trains roll over a 1.3-mile-long loop surrounding the Frontier Town area, with stops at two stations. The 15-minute ride passes over several bridges, including two wooden trestles over the park's lagoon, and through a wild-west town named Boneville.
Many people from all over the country have helped in compiling the material contained in these volumes. Most of their names appear throughout the text. In particular, many thanks are given to Jack Foster, CP&LE superintendent; George A. Roose; Robert E. Brodhead, Controller of the Cleveland Browns; and Arthur LaSalle, President of the American Railroad Equipment Association.
Today, the Cedar Point Amusement Park has grown to become one of the largest and best parks in the country, and the narrow-gauge steam trains, though mostly overshadowed by Cedar Point's outstanding roller coasters (17) and other large rides (68), are still an important part of the park and a popular attraction. The trains haul over 1,000,000 passengers per year in open-air coaches built on the trucks of retired D&RGW narrow-gauge stock cars. Trains roll over a 1.3-mile-long loop surrounding the Frontier Town area, with stops at two stations. The 15-minute ride passes over several bridges, including two wooden trestles over the park's lagoon, and through a wild-west town named Boneville.