Hooterville Cannonball

The Hooterville Cannonball is an old steam locomotive.

The Hooterville Cannonball runs between the towns of Hooterville and Pixley, but often stops in the middle at the Shady Rest Hotel to drop off or pick up guests as well as to bring Kate to do her shopping at Sam Drucker's General Store for supplies.

Biography
From Seasons One through Four the train is driven by Engineer Charley Pratt and Floyd Smoot had the fireman/baggage handler/conductor duties. Unfortunately Smiley Burnette who Played Pratt passed away after completing work on the fourth season. During the fifth season Floyd took over the engineering duties while still maintaining his other duties. In Season 6 Floyd was replaced by Wendell Gibbs played by Byron Foulger. Byron had previously appeared on the show as Bank Manager Mr. Guerney in earlier seasons. Floyd returned for the final season. He originally retired in The Last Train To Pixley but took back the job so the train would still run after Joe's short tenure which would have closed down the train for sure.

Behind the scenes
Most exterior shots of the train were of the Sierra No. 3. Any scenes inside of the cab or the coach were on the mock-up with Rear Projection in the background.

Trivia

 * In the first two seasons the Cannonball is seen with a number 3 but, in later seasons the train is seen with a number eight.
 * Throughout the run of the show Home Bedloe always comes up with a plan to scrap the train due to his very first defeat in Quick, Hide The Railroad.