ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, June 25, 1996 TAG: 9606250067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY
Since an accident derailed it nearly two years ago, the Mill Mountain Zoo Choo has been the little engine that couldn't.
Today, all that changes. After a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting, the miniature train will resume chugging around the zoo, past Ruby the tiger, the snakes and the prairie dog pit.
The first riders will be a group of 9-to 11-year-olds attending summer camp at the zoo.
The train, which is owned by the Roanoke Jaycees, derailed and crashed in July 1994, injuring several people, one seriously.
Since then, it has been sidelined as investigators searched for the cause of the crash; volunteers worked at rebuilding rails; and the zoo, the Jaycees and the city worked out an agreement to operate it.
It passed a city inspection last week and operators have been hired, the zoo said in a news release Monday.
Fares will be $1 for adults and 75 cents for children younger than 12 - up from the 1994 fare, which was 75 cents and 50 cents, respectively. Children younger than 2 can ride free.
The train is a major source of funds for the Jaycees, who have operated it since 1952.
LENGTH: Short : 32 linesby CNB