The "Henley Aerodrome" was founded by Clay Henley in 1973, who would pass away just four years later in 1977. Despite, Henley's death, the airport was saved, as it was then purchased by an aviation history enthusiast named Gary Norton, who was looking to build an aviation museum out of the property, similar to the Illinois Aviation Museum on the site of Clow International Airport. In 1981, the land was sold, and the landing strip would eventually become part of Silverwood Theme Park, which it remains to this day.
But in 1981, these plans ended abruptly when one of the hangars housing many historic planes caught fire. Norton rebuilt the hangar and continued to collect planes, but it was clear the collection was never going to be the same.
With the tragedy behind him, Norton sought to expand the museum into more than just planes, and in doing so, built a miniature railway around the Henley Aerodrome Property, which he named the Silverwood Central Railroad. To power the line, a 1915 Porter Steam Engine, originally no.7 of the Eureka-Palisade Railway, was purchased, and it continues to service the ride through at least 2021 (not sure if it's still running).
We live just 14 miles south of Silverwood. If you're ever in the neighborhood again, shoot me a message.