New Life for Green Trams

river rat · October 12, 2010, 03:37:04 PM

I live in North Central Arkansas and have noticed several flat bed trucks in recent months hauling the old green trams down hwy 65. Today i was in Harrison and parked in front of a paint and body shop was one of the trams, now painted purple and with "Harrison Goblins Tram" and a Goblins logo painted on as well.

Harrison Schools use the Goblin as a mascot. I will try to get a photo soon.

sanddunerider · October 12, 2010, 04:42:40 PM

Hmmmm???

Joy · October 12, 2010, 08:30:28 PM

So the green trams are now purple, eh? Awesome. Can't wait for a pic!

river rat · October 16, 2010, 10:38:09 PM

The harrison GoblinsTram

Junior · October 17, 2010, 07:45:15 AM

So how is Harrison utilizing the trams? Are they to transport kids around the campus, or are they used on football nights to bring visitors and fans in and out of Goblin stadium?

river rat · October 17, 2010, 11:07:26 AM

"The tram was purchased by an anonymous benefactor who gave it to the booster club. A pair of community businesses prepared the tram to make trips from the high school and middle school parking lots to F.S. Garrison Stadium. The booster club has since given the vehicle to the school district for use at all the Goblins' home football games." Harrison Daily Times.

Ozark Outlaw · October 17, 2010, 03:00:13 PM

In a way I am very sentimental about the whole situation since I believe the trams should still be chugging away in the Silver Dollar City parking lots. However, I am glad to see that this one has been given a new life, and can still serve proudly.

sanddunerider · October 17, 2010, 03:45:29 PM

would be nice to have them back.. the new trams just dont "fit" in. irealize that we had no trams in the 1880s, but the old ones were there for so long they were part of the community.. but alas, like waterboggan and othe favorites.... they have been replaced and wont be back.

jmc75 · October 17, 2010, 08:40:50 PM

I have to admit I miss them also. Everytime we went we would park in lot C and ride in the green tram. Was very disappointed to see them ago. I usually now just walk which is a lot easier when you have a stroller anyway.

Makayna · October 20, 2010, 10:34:00 AM

Am I the only one who doesn't miss those archaic, ugly old trams?!?! I mean, I've been going to SDC every year since I was really little, but I still wasn't sad to see them go! The ride is way smoother on these new trams... not that bumpety bump bumpdy bump bump of the old trams. I think they also might be quieter too. It was IMPOSSIBLE to carry on a conversation on those old things! Not that I hated them when they were there, but I certainly was glad to see some new ones!

Ozark Outlaw · October 20, 2010, 10:53:09 AM

Being old, and ugly, and loud, and smelly is what made those green trams so special! Those trams had a lot of character to them. Sure, they were "dinosaurs" of sorts, but they sure got the job done.

I think the reason so many people are attached to the green trams is because there are such a significant part of their Silver Dollar City memories, and that evokes a sentimental value within them.

Makayna · October 20, 2010, 11:19:44 AM

Yes, I have memories of them too! But I still wasn't sad to see them go. TBH, I was more attached to the way the old parking lots were laid out than I was the trams. I miss being able to park in South B Lot (for free), which was a parking lot that it seemed NOBODY knew about, so I could easily hop in there and take an empty park and just was just a hop skip and a jump from the park... or if I was being especially lazy, the old, green, ugly trams.

I was VERY sad to see the waterbogan go away. I was sad when they closed Huck Finn's Hideaway. And the new Riverblast was a bittersweet addition for me because I really, truly loved Tom Sawyer's Landing the way it was... with the balloon ride most of all! But the ugly, smelly, uncomfortable, bumpy, ancient trams? No.

okiebluegrass · October 20, 2010, 12:36:40 PM

Welcome to the forums Makayna. I last rode the old green trams in 2002. I kinda miss em. The new trams are ok. I liked the balloons and hopefully they bring them back. What I miss about the trams is being able to face the person with you. I don't think you can do that with the new ones. It also seems a little cramped on the new ones. Anybody else feel that way?

Nate65807 · October 20, 2010, 12:38:35 PM

The thing that I miss about the green trams was kinda sadistic. Despite the conductor doing his due diligence in warning people, somebody always managed to bump their head on the ceiling. And I am man enough to admit that it happened to me too. It only takes once...This is one of the benefits of the "new" trams, I suppose.

Any other stories related to this? Has it happened often enough to warrant a separate topic?

sanddunerider · October 20, 2010, 12:59:35 PM

I am sure the new trams are cheaper to maintain and operate on a day to day basis. They do have more leg and head room. I am sure the new trams were a financial decison more than anything else. Sure do miss the old ones....