Detroit Zoo's miniature train now boards at Chrysler Main

Click here to see a video about Chrysler's contribution to the zoo railroad. You can also access the video by clicking the link under the thumbnail photo on the NTC home page.

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – All aboard for the Chrysler Main Station!

The Chrysler Foundation recently presented a $250,000 check to the Detroit Zoological Society to continue to support and refurbish the Detroit Zoo's Tauber Family Railroad. In recognition of the donation, the zoo is calling the train stop near the park entrance the Chrysler Main Station.

"Chrysler is very proud to play a continuing role for more than half a century in supporting one of the Detroit Zoo's favorite attractions," said Brian Glowiak, vice president, the Chrysler Foundation.. "This historic commitment began with our original donation of three trains nearly 60 years ago, followed by recurring donations to upgrade and maintain their operations. We are pleased that future generations will continue to experience this timeless treasure."

The newly-renamed train station at the zoo entrance.

Built in 1931, the miniature railroad was credited with helping the Detroit Zoo survive hard times during the Great Depression. Starting out at a nickel a ride, train fares provided the zoo with dependable revenue. The replica steam locomotives and passenger cars carried 10 million passengers before becoming obsolete in 1948.

The next year, in 1949, Chrysler designed, built and donated a diesel-powered locomotive, the Walter P. Chrysler, adding two more diesel railroad engines in 1950 and 1951. The zoo’s new trains were modeled after the fast, aerodynamic Streamliners of that era. 

After serving millions more riders, the trains were idled again in 1980 for repairs. A fund drive raised $300,000, including donations from children’s allowances and proceeds from a zoo garage sale. In 1984, the trains returned to service.

The zoo's original steam train and railroad were built in 1931.

Then, in 2001, Chrysler renewed its historic commitment, donating upgrades to the trains’ drivelines.  Modern, computerized emission-control engines now run on unleaded gasoline – about 11 gallons per day – and computer diagnostics make tune-ups easier.

"The Chrysler Foundation's generous gift helps us to preserve a symbol of the zoo's rich heritage and enables millions of future zoo visitors to enjoy the railroad for many years to come," said Ron Kagan, executive director of the Detroit Zoological Society. "The railroad has served more than 40 million zoo guests who have ridden the rails since the train was introduced in 1931."

Chrysler also has donated $2 million dollars to fund the Detroit Zoo's National Amphibian Conservation Center.

Emblem on front of today's locomotive.

The little railroad now carries passengers to and from the Chrysler Main Station near the zoo entrance and the Africa Station at the farthest corner of the park, weather permitting. The railroad is open daily during regular zoo hours May through September and weekends only in October. 

Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak. The zoo is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April through October – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. November through March.

For more information, call 248.541.5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.