Handy Dandy Railroad

01/07/2025

As we begin the new year, we would like to share some rarely before seen photos of HPT&D locomotive 202 just before it was relocated to the Denton FarmPark for restoration.

These photos were taken around 2006 in Rural Hall North Carolina where the locomotive had been deteriorating in storage on the Yadkin Valley Railroad.

At the time, 202 was still numbered 105 and wearing the paint scheme for the Franklin County Railroad which was the last railroad to operate the locomotive in service before placing it into storage.

The gentleman you see walking along the running board of the locomotive is the late Brown Loflin. Former owner of the Denton FarmPark and Handy Dandy Railroad. His purchase of the locomotive saved it from the scrappers torch.

11/18/2024

Its almost that time of year!!
Tickets are up for sale or you can get them at the gates!

*** REMEMBER- This link (I-tickets) and buying at the gate are the ONLY way to get tickets! Tickets are good for any day this year and are NON-TRANSFERABLE!

Be careful when buying tickets!
https://www.itickets.com/events/481116.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGoUlhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfMViVNdRmu3F9FZUTbufytIqYEkVnPDP-YikXGTVPrkkBiKtXnSoSIXBg_aem_0GDnc-nwj0PJr3EGuPCLwA

11/18/2024

Bringing the best businesses along the highways to your doorstep.

11/08/2024

Welcome Stars!

The Denton FarmPark is hosting a night to remember! A Gala for #9 and it will be red carpet themed with a black tie dress code, so men put on your best suit and tie and ladies wear your finest gown and jewelry.
The Gala will be held at Camp Walter Johnson on April 12th, 2025. We will only sell 100 tickets so make sure you buy yours now while seats are available.

When you buy a seat, you will be given a golden ticket with your name on it. As you approach the building and head to the red carpet, watch out for the paparazzi, they will stop you for photos!
Steak dinner will be provided and we will have live entertainment, mocktails, and a silent auction with some cool items that you cannot miss!

All the money made from this event (even the ticket sales) will go to the restoration of #9! So call us today to get your ticket for the Gala. $99 for #9!

*** Neither Denton FarmPark LLC nor Handy Dandy Railroad INC. are a 501c-3.

10/29/2024

During our Fun on the Farm event, crew member Adam Broyles captured this fantastic photo of 202 with the fall colors in the background!

-posted with permission from Adam Broyles.

10/29/2024

Last week our volunteers and staff spent the week replacing railroad ties during our 2nd annual fall work week.

In total, 82 ties were replaced which brings our total for the year up to 368 so far!

Our volunteers and staff continue to work very hard to provide a safe and fun ride here on the Handy Dandy. If you are interested in becoming part of our team of volunteers and helping with these types of projects please contact us here on our page

10/24/2024

10/24/2024

Join us this weekend for Fun on the Farm!

Also stick around for a special Night train ride at 7pm Saturday night after Trick-or-Treating.

https://facebook.com/events/s/fun-on-the-farm/856483849501747/

10/15/2024

Up next we will be operating for the 5th Annual C10 Fall Revival. While visiting the station be sure to ask about locomotive cab rides and our "At the Throttle" sessions where you get the opportunity to operate our locomotive!

https://facebook.com/events/s/5th-annual-c10-fall-revival/1349372016467769/

10/14/2024

Update on the Train Station!

For the past week the Denton Farm Park crew had been working hard to build a nice cross tie wall, with stairs, all the lower end of the station in order to eliminate the steep hill in front of the platform.
They have just completed backfilling the wall and outfitted with handrails for everyone's safety.

We think the Denton FarmPark crew did a wonderful job and the next step is decorating the area with some landscaping work.

10/14/2024

This past weekend our crew had the opportunity to capture some fantastic photos of locomotive 202 as the aurora borealis lit up the night sky!

10/07/2024

Join us this weekend!

https://facebook.com/events/s/amca-southern-national-meet/990464142769657/

10/01/2024

Hey all!
We’re starting to take collections today I will attach the list and information to this post. I wanna take a second, I want to thank the owners of the Denton FarmPark for allowing us to have this opportunity as last-minute as it may be to do what we can for our communities in desperate need of supplies, friends, medical care and just someone to be there for them!

I’m also excited to say that we’re getting to work with the town of Denton. Thank you to Paula Hedrick for helping me make that happen with the Board.  I also want to thank, Sandy Rushing for volunteering her time to set up at the farmers market to take donation supplies both today and tomorrow!

We understand that times are tough but we ask everyone to please donate items from the list! They are still digging through the rubble, entire houses have been washed away, the houses that are still standing are flooded and/or out of power!

Now is the time we can help others in desperate need and lift up prayers for them, we can’t imagine what they are going through!

Thank you in advance to everyone making the donations! If your too far away to donate the information to provide financial support is on the list!

09/10/2024

Take a ride with us this upcoming Friday and Saturday during the Carolina Pickers Antique Festival at Denton Farm Park.

We appreciate all of our riders and hope to see you this weekend!

https://facebook.com/events/s/carolina-pickers-antique-auto-/366321456278849/

09/06/2024

Slight change of the landscape at our Handy Dandy train station. For the past week the Denton Farm Park crew have been working hard to build a nice cross tie wall, with stairs, all the lower end of the station in order to eliminate the steep hill in front of the platform.

After backfilling the wall it will be outfitted with handrails for safety.

09/05/2024

Good morning folks! Depending on this weekend's weather, crew members will once again be offering motor car rides during Saturdays yard sale day at the Denton Farm Park!

Again this will be depending on the weather and the Farm Parks decision on whether or not to cancel the event due to the possibility of rain.

Updates will be posted!

https://www.facebook.com/dentonfarmpark?mibextid=ZbWKwL