Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids History & Special Collections Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, MI.
If you’re like me-a Baby Boomer who grew up in Grand Rapids-I suspect you’ll be as excited as I am to once again see the Herp’s Train!
The Museum was entrusted with this local history icon by City Centre owner Peter Secchia in 2000 when the old Herpolsheimer’s Department Store building was renovated to become the new Grand Rapids Police Department. As part of the salvage operation team, I was on site at the start of demolition. You can imagine how tickled I was when asked if I wanted to “take one last spin” around the monorail loop before the train was dismantled for the move to the Museum. What can I say-it was a blast!
When I boarded the train that day I instantly recalled how it felt to be inside it as a kid in the late 1950’s when my sister and I would take a spin around the Toy Department before stopping to see Santa. I remembered lacing my much smaller fingers through the window wires and straining to catch a glimpse of my mom below. I know others share similar memories.
The train made its inaugural run in 1949 as the Santa Express. It was approximately 33′ long and each of its three cars held 8 smiling riders. In the 1960’s during the space race the train got a new identity as the Rocket Express. In 1976-with a coat of yellow paint and the addition of a face and glasses-it was dubbed the Caterpillar Express. It changed one last time in the 1980’s as part of Mackie’s World Children’s Mall and wore a new jungle motif and moniker, the Dino Express.
Museum visitors will be able to see this special community treasure on display in the lobby from November 22 to January 4. You can climb aboard to relive your own childhood memories and make new ones with your families!
P.S. If you’re a former rider, please contact us. We’d love to collect your old train photos or home movies and keep them preserved at the Public Museum right along with the train itself! We invite you to share your story by commenting right here on our blog!
-Marilyn Merdzinski, Curator of Collections & Preservation
I remember riding the train on a school field trip to Herpolsheimer’s. I must have been in kindergarten. The memory is vague, yet distinct. One of those things you can do one time when you are five and still remember in pieces the rest of your life. I plan to come down with my 4-year-old daughter so she can experience it as well. Thanks!
By: Jeff Casemier on November 26, 2008
at 2:02 pm
I took our two sons to see Santa and ride on the train in the 70’s. I remember how thrilled they were to ride around the track and look around. I also remember feeling rather bent over as an adult on the train. I did not get to the museum to see the train and hope you put it out on display again. I regret never taking pictures of the train and our sons but do have pictures with Santa. Thank you for the memories.
By: Jessie Seven on May 2, 2009
at 11:09 am