One of the pleasures of writing this weekly effort is the opportunity to share discoveries with folks like you. And if one of those discoveries manages to involve more than one of my interests, it makes writing this column all the more enjoyable. Such is the case this week.
Thanks to a bit of good fortune, I was given the opportunity for a look at a new book that is the subject of a special part of Disneyland history. What makes that history so unique is the direct connection that it has to Walt Disney.
Railroading and Walt went way back. It had such a strong influence on him that when he was discussing the layout of Disneyland with the early staff of Imagineers, he stated ”I just want it to be like nothing else in the world, and it should be surrounded by a train.”
So, it is. For many of us, that first visit to the Park was highlighted by that moment passing through the ticket gates to find the Main Street Station of the Disneyland Railroad directly in front of us. And just as any good story unfolds, a steam locomotive often arrives on stage right in front of us. That is only the opening page of a wonderful tale.
I was one of those who experienced that moment, and I still experience it during a visit today. Another person who had that same moment was Steve DeGaetano. For him, that interest led him to a role as the editor of the Carolwood Chronicle (the newsletter of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society, a Disney railroad enthusiast organization). Wanting to share that fascination even more, Steve took matters into his own hand. The result is a fine book – “Welcome Aboard The Disneyland Railroad”.
Anyone who thinks of the Disneyland Railroad as just another amusement park toy is sadly mistaken. It is an integral part of transportation system that meets the needs of hundreds of thousands of guests every year. Consider this: The Disneyland Railroad has operated longer than many prototype railroads did. And just as many of those have books that delve into all aspects of their history, now the Disneyland Railroad has the same.
The book offers a detailed look at the railroad in a number of ways. There is plenty of information about the locomotives and cars that the railroad has operated during those 49 years, 4 months and 14 days of its history. There is a fine explanation of just what it takes to get the trains into service for each day, spending as many as 15 hours on the road and then back to the roundhouse to get everything settled in for the night. A “behind the scenes” look at what it takes to maintain this equipment just like any other railroad is also included. Having my own experiences as a steam locomotive fireman and a passenger train conductor (along with other get dirty railroading jobs), I am impressed by the description you will find on these pages. It does the job in making it understandable and interesting to the reader.
But railroading is more than just locomotives and cars to carry passengers. There has to be a railroad for those trains to travel and the infrastructure that supports them. Steve has made sure that those details are explained as well. As an example, the illustration below shows the signal system that the locomotives crews use to safely carry passengers from station to station.
Railroading is the people who make it all happen, and this book has not forgotten them. In fact, it is dedicated to them, and it offers readers the chance to learn just what the locomotive engineers, fireman and conductors do to see their passengers travel safely. From the spiel conductors might have to share with guests, to what it takes for a locomotive to start, pull and stop a train safely, there is plenty of information for the novice railroader or even the most dedicated Disneyland fan.
The ticket for a trip aboard the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad.
Even the finer points such as uniforms, tickets, signs and logo’s are covered. For those of us who want to enjoy the Disneyland Railroad a bit more at home, there are chapters that cover collectibles and modeling. Thanks to superb illustrations by Preston Nirattisai, it’s easy to see how there really are substantial differences between the Disneyland Railroad’s #1 locomotive, the “C.K. Holiday” and Walt’s backyard railroad, the Carolwood Pacific #1, the “Lilly Belle”. I’m one of the first to admit that I had always believed that Walt had the plans for the locomotive simply enlarged to build that first locomotive. But the truth is all the more believable when you see this comparison, between the drawings prepared by Eddie Sargeant in 1952 and that produced using CAD software by Preston in 2004.
Preston ’s fine illustrations are primarily available for sale online. DLRCad offers many of the drawings seen in the book for sale along with a number of other Disneyland attraction views as well.
Steve honestly admits that this is a “work-in-progress”, much like the railroad it’s self. When he set out to share this interest, he didn’t realize there was so much enthusiasm for the railroad. Since then, he and I both have discovered a very supportive and knowledgeable group online at the Disney railroad discussion boards on Steve Burns web pages. Considering how much history there has been and how many people the railroad has affected, it is not at all surprising that more of it comes to light all the time.
If this book has a weak point, it is in some of the photographs. Some of the colors are off in some images and others aren’t as sharp as one might have wished for. But as a favorite author, historian and photographer of mine, Lucius Beebe is reputed to have said, “There are no alternate views of “Whistler’s Mother”.”
“Welcome Aboard The Disneyland Railroad!” makes a fine companion to the very popular “Walt Disney’s Railroad Story” by Michael Broggie. While some information may seem duplicated, that’s a necessary evil. At 308 pages, this isn’t a simple story and the details shared are worth the time it takes to investigate them. Right down to the cover painting, also by Steve, of the Santa Fe & Disneyland #2, the “E.P. Ripley” taking on water at Frontierland, this is a book well worth the price and the wait.
If you would like your own copy of “Welcome Aboard The Disneyland Railroad!” there are two very easy ways. You order your copy for $64.95 plus $6.00 for postage and handling by credit cards at Paypal at this web link. If you would like an autographed or personalized copy, let him know along with your order. Steve also will process orders paid for by check or money orders at:
“Welcome Aboard The Disneyland Railroad!”
Steam Passages Publications
7758 Sunny Brae Avenue
Suite 201
Winnetka , CA 91306
The book will likely be available through Amazon.com and other outlets sometime in the first quarter of 2005. They were shipped from the printer on November 29 and are expected to arrive in late December. If you preordered a copy as I did, you can expect delivery to your doorstep in early January.
If you recall, that first Disney railroad book sold out quickly. I expect the same will be true of this title. If you share the fascination with the Disneyland Railroad that Steve, others and I do, placing your order as soon as possible might be the best way to assure that you don’t miss out…
In related news, Carolwood Pacific Historical Society Chairman, Michael Broggie has been selected to be the national spokesperson for the model railroad industry’s program: “World’s Greatest Hobby on Tour.” This trade association is producing four major shows in major markets to gain awareness of model railroading as the ideal family hobby. Michael will be doing media appearances the day before the show and will be the featured speaker at each show with a multimedia presentation on Disney and railroads. A booth at the event will promote the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society.
Dates and locations are:
——————————————————————————–
- New York – NJ Expo Center Edison, NJ Dec. 11-12, 2004
- St. Louis – America’s Center, Jan. 8-9, 2005
- Los Angeles – Long Beach Convention Center, Feb. 19-20, 2005
- Denver – Colorado Convention Center, Feb. 26-27, 2005
Sounds like a great opportunity to stop by and say hello to Michael!
Next week: Another year already? Yes, it’s the Disneyland 2004 Candlelight event, and the report with all of the details and photographs, awaits you here!