Burke Lake Park Train, Carousel Set to Open April 2

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- As the weather warms up, families will soon be flocking to Burke Lake Park for rides on the carousel and train ride.

Here's the scoop:

April 2-May 29:

• Carousel opens on weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Train opens on weekends from 11:15 a.m. to 5:45 a.m.

Starting Memorial Day and continuing through Labor Day, the carousel and train will be open daily (same hours).

Admission:

• Riders under the age of two years old may ride the train and carousel for no fee. All other riders ages 2 and older must purchase a ticket.
• Parents who ride the train or carousel with their children must purchase a ticket.
• Carousel tickets are $2 each and train tickets are $2.75 each.

Train history

Since 1967, the miniature Central Pacific Huntington steam engine chugged over the tracks at Burke Lake Park, carrying kids who grew up and returned to bring their own children back for a ride on this community landmark.

In 2005, the little engine that could was retired, and now a new version of the one-third-scale replica C.P. Huntington is making the rounds.

The new locomotive looks the same, but technology has made advances in the design of miniature trains. This model gets diagnostic tests performed by laptop computer, it boasts an automatic sander, it's quieter and the improved gas mileage is a driver's dream - 26 runs, almost continuously throughout the day, on just four gallons of gas.

The ride over 1.75 miles of track takes 10 minutes and reaches speeds of 10 to 12 miles per hour. And after the chug-along, there's more old-fashioned fun to sample - a spin on the carousel, a hand-dipped cone at the Ice Cream Parlor and a walk on the park trail rated one of the 10 best urban fitness trails in the nation by the American Hiking Society.

(Information courtesy of Fairfax County)

PHOTOS of train and carousel courtesy of Fairfax County