Choo-Choo!
A 15-seat children's train will be a permanent attraction at Tempe Town Beach Park beginning Oct. 13.
"We are going to have thousands of happy kids," said Kris Baxter, Rio Salado marketing coordinator. "It will be great for birthday parties and celebrations."
Ron Hayden, the train's creator, was a food salesman before he went into the train business about a year ago.
Hayden said he started Arizona Choo-Choo after attending a car show at Tempe Town Lake last year.
"I was watching the train go across the lake," Hayden said. "And I just thought it would be a neat idea to have a train for children."
Hayden then drew up some plans and presented his ideas to the Tempe city council for approval two weeks ago.
"The council approved several vendors at the same time," Baxter said. "And his was one of the many."
Although Hayden preferred not to say how much the train cost, he said building it was an "enlightening experience."
"It cost a lot more than I had anticipated," Hayden said. "But I had a lot more fun than I thought I would."
Hayden, an Arizona native, said he admired the children's train at Encanto Park in Phoenix.
"I always liked that train," Hayden said. "I thought Tempe Town Lake would be a great place for one like it."
Hayden's 23-horsepower train will seat 15 children for a 10-minute ride around Splash playground and lakeshore.
"It has been safety-tested numerous times," Hayden said. "If for some reason a child falls off, the train would automatically turn off."
Hayden also said Velcro seatbelts are onboard the train.
The cost is $3 per ride and is designed for children ages 3-13, according to Hayden.
"Women could take children as young as 3 months old," Hayden said. "But I don't think men would be able to fit in the car."
Hayden will operate the train himself, along with his three sons, who are all in their 20s.
The train will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Reach the reporter at meagan.pollnow@asu.edu.
