LPWire: June 18 Marks 50 Years of Disneyland Railroad

June 18 Marks 50 Years of Disneyland Railroad

Over a hundred-fifty members of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society will join Michael Broggie on Saturday, June 18th, as he celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first run of the Disneyland Railroad that he had been invited on board by Walt Disney to be his "guest fireman."

Walt was always the "Chief Engineer" whenever he was in Disneyland. He owned the railroad as his personal property through his company, Retlaw Enterprises. It wasn't until 1984 that the Disney family sold the railroad (and the rights to Walt's name) to The Walt Disney Company.

Walt took great delight iin running the railroad around his magical kingdom.

The guest passengers onboard weren't aware that the jolly engineer in the cab was in fact, their famous host. He kept a full engineer's outfit in his apartment located above the fire station on Main Street USA. Running the trains gave Walt much-needed relief from the pressures of heading the huge entertainment empire he founded with his brother Roy in 1923.

Disneyland was his personal playground--an expansion of the miniature live steam, one-eighth scale railroad in his backyard on Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. He called the trainset the Carolwood Pacific Railroad and named the engine Lilly Belle in honor of his wife, Lillian.

When Disneyland held its grand opening party on July 17, 1955, Walt chose to arrive at the Park aboard the E. P. Ripley steam engine, where he was welcomed by Art Linkletter. Accompanying Walt were Goodwin Knight, governor of California, and Fred Gurley, president of the Santa Fe Railway. And, as Walt pointed out to Art, "He's vice-president of the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad!" Santa Fe was one of the first of many companies signed by Disneyland Inc. as a Park participating sponsor.

These and many other stories will highlight a chat session Michael Broggie will conduct at Compass Books and Cafe located in Downtown Disney at noon on June 18 following the commemorative run aboard the Disneyland Railroad. The public is invited to this free event. Participating members of the Carolwood Society will receive a specially created pin celebrating the 50th anniversary of the railroad.

For more information visit www.carolwood.com.

--Posted June 17, 2005
Source: Carolwood Pacific Historical Society