Hi
A post in 2021 on the Mighty Casey Diesel Train ride-on toy by US company Remco contained a reference to the Hooterville Cannonball from the TV series Petticoat Junction.
Here are some further details, including a Hooterville Cannonball Train Set that I have only just discovered.
In the 1960s the US TV network CBS made three comedy shows that were closely connected. The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-71), Petticoat Junction (1963-70) and Green Acres (1965-71). All were based in a rural corner of America that was several decades behind everyone else.
The Clampett family struck oil, and moved to Beverly Hills, but the rest stayed in their quiet backwater. There was considerable cross-over of story lines and cast members between the three shows. I watched all three in the 1960s, and they were great fun.
The Hooterville Cannonball was a steam train that ran a leisurely service between the towns of Hooterville and Pixley, with a stop at the Shady Rest Hotel run by Kate Bradley and her three daughters - Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and Betty Jo (sorry, mis-spelt her name last time). Uncle Joe dodged anything resembling work, but always showed up at meal times.
The locomotive used in the series was built in 1891, and had also appeared in a number of Westerns. It is a 4-6-0 engine with a tender. Meaning it has four small wheels at the front, then six big driving wheels, but no small trailing wheels, and a tender for fuel and water.
It hauled a single Combine coach for passengers and baggage. The lettering on the side reads C&FW Railroad, which apparently stands for Chicago and Far Western. The name Hooterville Cannonball appears on the sides of the cab. The train and her crew were an important part of the series, providing transport for the locals, and the only way for guests to reach the rather isolated Shady Rest Hotel.
Each episode opened with shots of the train rolling down the tracks, and the theme song also centred on the train.
The Hooterville Cannonball has its own Wikipedia page.
There are also some good shots of the Cannonball, and the Shady Rest Hotel stop, on this site.
In 1966 and 1967 US toy maker Tyco released Petticoat Junction electric Train Sets in HO (1/87th) scale. Each contained a 4-6-0 steam engine with working headlight, tender, a Combine coach, two passenger coaches, and an oval of track. Photos of the main cast members were shown across the top of the box - Uncle Joe, Kate Bradley, the train crew of Charley Pratt and Floyd Smoot, and the three Bradley girls.
The main picture shows the train, with a water tower in the background, in which the girls would take a swim on hot days. Note the three petticoats (no idea where the rest of their clothes are).
The following site states that there was a basic T6609 Hooterville Cannonball set, and a T6625 Petticoat Junctioner set which included a Tyco-Pak transformer, which were released in 1966.
In 1967 the names changed to The Petticoat Junction for both sets, with only a slight change in catalogue number, to T6709 and T6725 - the first two digits are the year the set was issued. The C&FW models were only available in these two sets, and not sold separately.
However the only photos I could find on-line all show boxes with the Petticoat Junction name, including the illustration in the 1966 catalogue from the site below, although the description does say Petticoat Junctioner.
This discussion says the models are larger than HO, more like OO (1/76th) scale.
I hope this proves the existence of the Hooterville Cannonball, and the important part it played in lives of Hooterville and Pixley residents.
Film of the Hooterville Cannonball can also be found on You Tube, as well as complete episodes of Petticoat Junction.
Photos from Ebay and Worthpoint.
Have you got one of these toys?
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Thanks for this fascinating piece Paul. Well researched and a great looking toy train set. I remember a TV show called Casey Jones, which I used to watch as a kid. Oddly enough, the train reminds me of the one he drove.
ReplyDeleteCasey Jones' train was also a Cannonball, the 'Cannonball Express'.
ReplyDeleteWas there a TV connection in the states ?
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