Abandoned Clown Train

Submission 27,788

About

Abandoned Clown Train is a photograph of a rusted and derelict amusement ride abandoned in the middle of a field at an unknown location. Since entering online circulation through YTMND in 2006, the photograph has often been referenced in discussion threads about abandoned theme parks and ruined childhood.

Origin

On August 16, 2006, YTMND user Zeratul86 created a site containing the image and attributed it to a thread he found on 4chan ^[1].

Spread

On February 14th, 2007, Above Top Secret user Kacen posted a link to the photograph hosted on the now-defunct file-sharing site FileXoom^[2]. On September 20th, 2007 AutoGeekOnline forums user P1et started a discussion thread^[3] about the abandoned clown train with the image now bearing the caption "Abandoned Clown Train Remembers You."

In January 2009, the blog Dark Roasted Blend^[4] included the image in a photo compilation titled "Abandoned Amusement Parks of Asia," while asking the readers to help him track down the location of the ride. In the comments, some readers speculated that the photograph may have been taken either in Pripyat, Ukraine, or Fairyland Park in Kansas City, Missouri.

On January 29th, 2011, YouTuber rdcolles uploaded a 32-second video clip titled "Big Rock Amusements Jolly Caterpillar" which shows a fully-painted train of the same model in operation, with one user^[5] in the comments identifying the train as the one depicted in the photograph and that the ride was originally called the "Happy Worm."

On July 17th, 2013, Livejournal blogger amandawinters87^[6] posted an article in which she details her investigative research on the geographical location of the amusement ride, and with the help of other posters in the comment section, postulated that the photograph of the train, or at least one made by the same manufacturer, was shot in Pemba, Tanzania^[6].