“I just want it to look like nothing else in the world.
And it should be surrounded by a train.” —Walt Disney
(July 17, 1955—Present) BACKSTORY: The DLRR is a narrow-gauge railroad constructed that cost $240K and each of the original four locomotives cost in excess of $40K to build/restore. Guests ride it as transportation or experience the “grand circle tour” and can remain on the trains as long as they wish. Until 1974, it was sponsored by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, during which time it operated as the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad. The train originally consisted of custom-built 5/8 scale equipment. The Walt Disney Company constructed the original two locomotives in its own workshops under the supervision of Roger E. Broggie. Patterned after the Lilly Belle, a miniature steam locomotive Broggie had made for Walt’s backyard Carolwood Pacific RR, these were also models of classic “Wild West”-style American 4-4-0s, but built to a larger 5/8 scale. #1, The C.K. Holliday, was given a large wood-burning “balloon”stack and cowcatcher (pilot); #2, The E.P. Ripley, was given a straight stack and smaller pilot common to East Coast coal-burning locomotives. Three more were later acquired from outside sources, since this was cheaper than building new ones and many narrow-gauge lines were closing down and selling their equipment. All were given extensive renovations including new boilers. #3 and the “new” #5 are “Forney” locomotives (a type of tank locomotive). #4, The Ernest S. Marsh, took its inaugural run at Disneyland (engineered by Walt Disney himself!) on July 25, 1959. As an 1894 product of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, #3 is the oldest locomotive at any Disney property. Walt Disney, California Governor Goodwin J. Knight, and Fred G. Gurley (President of the Santa Fe) presided over opening-day ceremonies. Disney often engineered the trains himself.
There are currently 5 locomotives at Disneyland:
#1: C.K. Holiday: Named after Cyrus Kurtz Holliday (1826–1900), founder of the Atchison & Topeka Railroad in 1859, the predecessor of the Santa Fe Railway. The locomotive is a 4-4-0 American built in 1955 by Retlaw Enterprises at Burbank, CA. In service since July 17, 1955.
#2: E.P. Ripley: Named after Edward Payson Ripley (1845–1920), first President of the reorganized Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in 1895 and recognized as a pioneering railroad executive. The locomotive is a 4-4-0 American built in 1955 by Retlaw Enterprises at Burbank, CA. In service since July 17, 1955.
#3: Fred Gurley: Named after Fred G. Gurley (1889–1976), President of the Santa Fe Railway from 1944–1957. He and his good friend Walt Disney were responsible for the initial sponsorship of the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad in 1955. The locomotive is a 2-4-4T Forney built in 1895 at Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, PA. In service since March 28, 1958.
#4: Ernest S. Marsh: Named after Ernest S. Marsh (1903–1975), President of the Santa Fe Railway from 1957–1966, and a strong advocate of the relationship between Disneyland and his railroad company. The locomotive is a 2-4-0 built in 1925 at Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, PA. In service since July 25, 1959.
#5: Ward Kimball: Named after Ward Kimball (1914–2002), Oscar winning Disney animator and lifelong railroad enthusiast. In 1938, Ward and Betty Kimball became the first private citizens to own a full-sized steam locomotive, an 1881 Baldwin mogul. The locomotive is a 2-4-4T built in 1902 at Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, PA. In service since June 25, 2005.
Interested in Walt and his railroad(s)? Check out carolwood.org.
Most photos available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below.
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