In Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the Sad Monkey Railroad operated as a tourist attraction for more than 40 years. In 1953, J.H. Buchanan, owner of the Ford dealership in Canyon, purchased a narrow-gauge passenger train from a drive-in theater in Illinois, and Harold E. Grear and James M. Bailey installed the railroad on the floor of the canyon under a contract with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Named for a rock formation on a cliff in the canyon said to resemble a sad monkey, the railroad began operation in June 1953. Earl Burtz of Canyon purchased the railroad in 1964 and operated it for more than 12 years until his son took over. Along a two-mile route, the train gave park guests a 20-minute ride through the canyon while conductors recited a narrative covering history, geology, ecology, and folklore. Though widely regarded by visitors and residents as a local and state treasure, the railroad closed in 1996 because of insurance costs and requirements. After its removal, the train and several passenger cars stood on the highway leading into the park, and community efforts to restore the railroad eventually led to the installation of the engine, tender, and one seven-row passenger car at Neblett Park for display in 2017. For decades, it remained one of the memorable and significant attractions for residents and travelers, contributing to the visitor experience at Palo Duro State Park.