Meet Emmett, the Zoo's New Train!
A bright red and black locomotive is now at the head of the Zoo Train, having been handcrafted in Kansas, driven across country on a flatbed truck to Santa Barbara, then lowered by crane onto the tracks at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
The 6,100-pound engine joins the Zoo’s blue locomotive Kate and red and green engine Victor, all handmade by famed Chase Rides in Wichita, Kansas, all replicas of a circa 1863 locomotive called the C.P. Huntington.
“Many kids say their favorite animal at the Zoo is the train,” said David Velazquez, Director of Guest Services. “We’ve been working on this engine for about a year and it surpassed even my wildest expectations. It is a one-of-a-kind, rolling work of art.”
The new engine is named Emmett by its generous sponsors, the Duncan Family and Rusty’s Pizza Parlors, who sponsor all three of the Zoo’s locomotives. The Duncan Family even traveled with Velazquez to the Chance Rides Factory in Wichita to oversee production. In honor of our newest train, we've created the Conductors Club, which is open to train lovers of all ages and includes invitations to special train events, photo opportunities, train tickets, train fact sheet, and train-related collectibles. Memberships begin at $50 and support train upkeep. You can learn more about this exclusive club here.
We hope you'll visit soon and take a ride on Emmett, or Kate, or Victor!
Thanks again to: The Duncan Family and
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