Herb Ottaway and first locomotive

Although already firmly established in motorcycle racing circles, the Ottaway/Chance family involvement in live steam began in 1933. In that year, Harold Chance rode with Herb Ottaway down to a sandpit turned amusement park dubbed "Sandy Beach" south of Wichita Kansas to take ownership of a direlict steam locomotive. The locomotive had recently been purchased from Wichita motorcycle policeman Elmer Million, who was an aquaintance of Harold Chance's father and local Indian motorcycle dealer Gerald Chance.

Ray Dunams Albequerque 1948

The locomotive was manufactured by the International Miniature Railway Company of Elgin, Illinois, circa 1907. It has been estimated that about 25 of these locos were built in the company's short lived existance prior their demise around 1908.

Although the initial intention was simply to restore and return this loco to running status, this steam locomotive, in modified form, would become the foundation of all Ottaways yet to come.

Within a year of restoring the loco, it was put into paid service around the perimeter of a miniature car racetrack in Manitou Springs Colorado. The steam train proved to be the perfect complement to the miniature race cars made by Gerald Chance. In these early years the accomodations at Manitou were spartan to say the least, with family members initially camped out in tents.

Having proved itself as a viable money making attraction at Manitou, Ottaway set out to manufacture thier own version of the locomotive. Marketing of the new design would be targeted toward small town city parks in the midwest.

miniature race track

To implement the marketing plan, a cleverly designed system of temporary "snap track" was built. When assembled, the track convientently formed a diameter of sixty feet which allowed the track to be set up on most small town main streets. The entire demo unit with loco, cars and track was integrated into a custom built trailer for easy transport to a potential customers site. After a quick set up, civic leaders and regular townfolk could be photographed riding the temporary attraction, hopefully drumming up enthusian for a permanent installation in their town's city park.

To facilitate the sale to cities with no previous live steam experience, a turn-key package was offered consisting of one locomotive, three pasenger coaches, one water tender, 320 feet of track with welded steel ties, and canvas covers for the entire train. These had an approximate selling price per unit of $3000.00

original Ottaway builder's plate

Surviving Ottaway locomotives run the gamut from a crate load of rusting parts in a neglected barn to chrome plated originals in pristine condition. What with boiler rebuilds and extensive user modifications, determination of a loco's true lineage is often the cause of much headscratching and detective work.

Nevertheless, trying to put the pieces together by sifting through the clues is all part of the fun for modern day Ottaway enthusiasts. Indeed, trying to sort out the "mystery of it all" is a major incentive for many notable collectors.

triple header at Peppermint Park

While far from a definitive collectors guide, our locomotive collectors tour is an overview of some of our friends and fellow Ottaway owners equipment. If you are the proud owner of an Ottaway you want us to know about, drop us a line.