The Interesting And Heartbreaking History Of The Sad Monkey Railroad

A recent social media post to a local Facebook group got a lot of people talking about an iconic attraction at Palo Duro Canyon. The post was regarding the Sad Monkey Railroad.

The Sad Monkey Railroad has a long history in the Texas panhandle.

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Beginnings Of Sad Monkey Railroad

Once upon a time, there was a railroad in Palo Duro Canyon. It offered informational rides to guests. The Sad Monkey Railroad was even named after a rock formation.

It was a staple for a long time until, as one person put it, it became a victim of bureaucracy. The historical marker at The Sad Monkey's current location states that insurance costs and requirements led to the end of The Sad Monkey Railroad.

Sad Monkey Still Resides In Canyon

It's still in Canyon and stays in pretty good shape. It's now shielded from the sun thanks to the depot, and from the looks of things it gets regular touch-ups.

Looks can be deceiving though.

The post that got a lot of people's attention recently paints a slightly different picture of what life for The Sad Monkey is like behind the scenes.

Apparently, vandalism has been an issue.

Seriously, Do Not Climb On The Train

A sign hanging from the chain that ropes off the Sad Monkey reads, "Please Do Not Climb On The Train." People young and old climbing all over the train can quickly lead to wear and tear.

The train is an iconic part of Canyon's history. That's why it has its own historical marker. It should be preserved as such.

The individuals responsible for the restoration of the train took to social media to lay bare the hurt they've felt over the years as people continue to vandalize the train. The train was a labor of love given as a gift to the community.

The post was made to Facebook after finding a tarp had been tossed on the train.

There's Some Good News

After the post had made the rounds, people started talking, and an edit was made. Come to find out, the tarp was placed there by the city. They did so to protect the train from the sealant they had placed on the depot.

While that's great news, it is sad to hear about the battle against vandalism that these individuals have fought. This train has seen a lot in its lifetime. It has gone from being a loved attraction at Palo Duro Canyon to being left in bad condition to finally being restored. Eventually, it got its own historical marker, showing just how important The Sad Monkey Railroad is.