[nutmeg]

Astros fans: Please see NCC-1701's post #185.

I have a question about the train in Minute Maid Park. Is that a "full-size" train? Does it go back and forth on that wall, or is it stationary? I've never seen anything quite like that in a MLB ballpark...

[Bulldaddy]

The train moves whenever there's a home run, but it's mostly a bunch of noise. To me, it's one of the least impressive part of the show. At the Texas Rangers park in Arlington, a homer draws a nice fireworks display and the music from "The Natural". A little more impressive.

[deport]

De train, De train

Minute Maid Park (formerly known as Enron Field and Astros Field) in Houston, TX houses this 48,000 pound, 57 foot long replica of a 19th century locomotive (circa 1860) and linked coal tender. When the Houston Astros hit a home run, the train blows its whistle and runs down 800 feet of track on the west side of the park, at a lightning speed of 10 MPH. The train provides a link to the past for Houston and Union Station (the site of the ballpark). The train was designed by Uni-systems and built by SMI & Hydraulics, which also provided the transporters for the retractable roof at the park.

[Michael Goldsberry]

"full-size"

"48,000 pound, 57 foot long replica of a 19th century locomotive"

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