Steam Trains and Monorails: The Best of America's Theme Parks

By Nick Weisenberger

All aboard and please stand clear of the doors for a grand circle tour of the best steam trains and monorails of America's theme parks. On our journey we'll get a glimpse of a bygone era while riding a vintage steam train and a vision of a forgotten future on a sleek, streamlined monorail. This tour will highlight the juxtaposition of these titans of theme park transportation: new versus old, clean versus dirty, mechanics hidden versus exposed

Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts famously have both steam trains and monorails. But they're not the only theme parks who do. There are other smaller, lesser-known amusement parks that have fabulous trains or monorails, and sometimes both. Numerous theme parks used to have one or the other but sadly don't anymore.

Steam Trains and Monorails: The Best of America's Theme Parks examines the history of defunct steam trains and monorails as well as highlighting where you can find the best ones still operating in America today. Discover how classic steam locomotives were engineered to charm guests with nostalgia, how monorails evolved from experimental prototypes into iconic park landmarks, and how rail-based attractions quietly shaped the guest experience across the country. Sit back and enjoy the ride

Part One: Theme Park Steam TrainsSteam train terminology and how a steam train worksDefunct steam trains at Opryland, Freedomland, Libertyland, Astroworld, Disney's Fort Wilderness Railroad, Carowinds, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Kings Dominion, and more The 15 best theme park steam trains you can still ride in the United States, including Whisky River Railroad, Busch Gardens Railway, Dollywood Express, Ghost Town and Calico Railway, and more The longest steam train route in a US theme parkWhy Universal Orlando's Hogwarts Express isn't actually a real steam train and how it worksPart Two: Theme Park MonorailsWhat is a monorail? It's not as simple a definition as you would think The history of monorails in America's amusement parksWhy Disneyland's monorail wasn't the first in America like they claimDefunct monorails including Summit Beach, Trailblazer, Cedar Point monorail, Busch Gardens California, Trans-Veldt monorail, Eagle One, Bumble Bee monorail, Ocean Park Playland, Bellaire Express, Wild Animal Safari, and more Monorails at surprising amusement parks that you can still ride today, including HersheyPark, Dutch Wonderland, Little Amerricka, Gilroy Gardens, and more If you've ever wondered how these trains work, why parks built them, or what makes each system unique, this book delivers a fun, accessible, and richly detailed guide. Perfect for families, theme-park fans, rail enthusiasts, and anyone who loves discovering the magic behind the magic. You'll walk away with a new appreciation for the rides that don't drop, spin, or launch - but still define the heart of the park.

If you're a fan of narrow gauge railroads and scenic, elevated transportation systems then this book is for you Ready to explore America's theme-park railways like never before? Grab your copy today and start your journey through steam, steel, and monorail beams.

Updated August 2026

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B09HG54WP8
• ISBN13: 9798482509043
• Release Date: October 2021
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"