MILWAUKEE – Of all the things to see at the Milwaukee County Zoo, few attractions bring as many smiles as rolling on the grounds’ rails.

Milwaukee County Zoo steam locomotive engines have been a staple since the zoo’s inception. But after a big decision, the attraction is no longer the same. The zoo is parting ways with its steam engines to make room for new diesel-powered locomotives currently on order.

“When you’re 16 and starting a job, you never think you’ll be in the cabin of a steam engine,” said Calvin Schickel, Travel and Entertainment Specialist Leader.

On a sunny Sunday in October, Schickel invited FOX6 News along for the final laps of the zoo’s steam engine around the zoo.

Getting the equipment working would make Willy Wonka proud.

“Here I have boiler pressure, here I have steam pressure,” Schickel said, pointing to different gauges.

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As the train rocks forward and makes those familiar humming sounds, Schickel says there’s no better place than the front of the train. Then, when the children’s heads pop out, most of the passengers are unaware of the seriousness of the moment and that their journey will be the last journey of this locomotive here.

“We’re sad to see it go, but we’re excited for the future,” Schickel said.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is parting ways with its steam engines. New diesel engines were ordered to replace it instead.

Schickel called the move bittersweet.

“As sad as it is to see this equipment leave, because it was such a big part of my life and so many other people’s lives, we’re really excited to move into the next era and inspire new people,” Schickel said.

The new tier 4 diesel trains will come with new technologies such as cameras, air conditioning and will be better for the environment.

“The guys sit here eight hours a day,” Schickel said. “It’s uncomfortable to be next to a 300-degree boiler on a 90-degree day.”

Not everyone is this excited.

“All three of us love the smell and the sound,” Treigh Bowlin said.

On his last day with his father, Bowlin arrived just as the zoo opened to ride his favorite attraction.

“It’s been here for so long, but things change,” Bowlin says.

This piece of Milwaukee County history has reached the end of its tracks.

“It’s actually really interesting,” Schickel said. “The Journal Sentinel donated the money to build the railroad in ’55. The park wasn’t even here yet.”

This train helped bring the animals here before they arrived at the zoo.

“The whole point of this railroad was to show the community the construction of the zoo. So the Journal Sentinel allocated money to help build the railroad so people would come and invest, look at this new project and see it grow and see it grow,” Schickel said. “A lot of parts of the zoo were built around the train. That’s something a lot of people don’t know about. I think it’s pretty cool.”

The original two locomotives at the zoo included a steam engine built by a company in Wisconsin Dells.

In 1977, a new locomotive was brought on board. Named for the year in which Irwin Maier, president of the Milwaukee Journal, was hired, the 1924 made countless trips during its 47 years of service.

On its last day in service, crowds packed the train to experience the zoo’s steam engine for the last time.

But the train’s journey is not over yet.

“It’s quite the engine,” Bob Welke said. “We’re pretty excited to have it here at home.”

A day later, the work in the zoo’s machine shop is closely monitored by the group that will become its new owner.

“It will come into our shop and sit in the exact same spot where it was built,” Welke said.

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Welke is president of the Riverside and Great Northern Railroad. The same company that built this train. The company closed in 1980 but reopened as a conservation society about a decade later.

“With this engine we will have not only the first but also the last 50-inch steam engine built by the Sandleys,” says Welke.

They studied this equipment and spent the last year working to purchase it and other steam trains from the zoo.

“The 1924 will be used quite a bit when we move it up,” Welke said. “We are all looking forward to getting it into service and seeing it work with all the other engines.”

While being loaded onto a truck, the team takes a moment to take one last photo.

Almost half a century after his arrival at the zoo, former Milwaukee County Zoo employee Ken Ristow stands at the very point of departure. Ristow worked at the zoo for more than 25 years and retired because his services were no longer needed.

He controls his emotions as the train prepares to go to a new home. Ristow will follow. He was employed as an employee of the Riverside and Greater Northern Railroad.

He and others are ready to create new smiles on a new path.

“Life is not over,” Welke said. “We are moving on to a new chapter.”

The Milwaukee County Zoo said they expect their new diesel train to arrive in the spring. Meanwhile, other diesel locomotives will take you around the track.

If you want to visit the Riverside and Greater Northern Railroad, it is open every day in the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall.