The first railroad at the Toledo Zoo — seen in this photograph — began operations around 1962, becoming one of the zoo’s most memorable visitor attractions of its era. The line was powered by two Chance Rides CP Huntington locomotives, carrying works numbers No. 13 and No. 23, part of the widespread miniature railroad boom sweeping American zoos and amusement parks during the mid-20th century.
The original route was compact but thoughtfully laid out. The station stood roughly where the Pheasantry building now stands, and the track wound its way behind major exhibits: first behind the ape house, then around a loop near the service areas, before returning along the perimeter fence past the aviary. A second loop completed the journey before the train returned to its station. For generations of visitors, the ride offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the zoo’s layout, habitats, and animal buildings, all from the comfortable vantage point of a miniature train.
After more than forty years of operation, the original railroad closed in 2003, and its locomotives and rolling stock were eventually sold. But trains at the Toledo Zoo were far from gone.
The following year marked the debut of the massive Africa! exhibit, covering 12 acres and transforming a large section of the zoo. Integral to the project was a brand-new half-mile passenger railroad, designed not only as a ride but as part of the storytelling of the new exhibit. To operate this updated line, the zoo purchased two new CP Huntington locomotives, numbered No. 323 and No. 330. A third locomotive was added in 2012, increasing capacity and meeting growing visitor demand.
Today, miniature railways remain an important part of the Toledo Zoo experience, linking decades of nostalgia with modern exhibit design — a reminder that trains and zoos have long gone hand-in-hand in shaping childhood memories.
