Little Puffer returns

A 22"-gauge train ran around the old Fleischaker Zoo in San Francisco from the mid-'20s to the mid-'70s. Retired to make way for a new gorrilla exhibit, the train has been stored for almost 20 years at the Zoo.

Now that the San Francisco Zoo is undergoing a major renovation, Zoo officials acquiesced to a request by the Golden Gate Railroad Museum to allow the GGRM to handle the refurbishing of the engine -- known as the Little Puffer -- and to assist in the laying of new track and building of a station and train shed.

On Aug. 25, 1998, the Little Puffer was put back into service at the Zoo. News reports (from the Examiner and the Chronicle) focused on the opening ceremonies and the history.

W&MRRR staff stopped by on opening day to assess the refurbished engine and to see how rail activities were progressing. Following are some of our humble photographic records of that afternoon.

Other park railroads are listed at this site.