Carolwood Pacific Railroad

The Carolwood Pacific Railroad: A Miniature Marvel

Imagine a world where imagination meets reality, where a backyard becomes a stage for dreams to come alive. That’s exactly what happened when Walt Disney, the man who brought us Mickey Mouse and Disneyland, decided to build his very own miniature railroad in 1949. The Carolwood Pacific Railroad was more than just a hobby; it was a gateway into Walt’s heart and mind.

The Inspiration Behind the Rails

Walt Disney’s fascination with trains began as a young boy, but it wasn’t until he stopped playing polo due to injuries that his interest resurfaced. He saw hobbyists with ridable miniature trains and was inspired to build his own. The Carolwood Pacific Railroad was born in the backyard of his new home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.

Designing a Miniature Marvel

The plans for this miniature marvel were ambitious. With 2,615 feet of track, eleven switches, gradients, overpasses, and an elevated dirt berm, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad was no small feat. The centerpiece of the railroad was the Lilly Belle, a live steam locomotive built by Walt Disney Studios’ machine shop team led by Roger E. Broggie.

Walt’s Hands-On Approach

Walt wasn’t just an observer; he was deeply involved in every aspect of the construction. He helped build several parts, including the smokestack and headlamp for the Lilly Belle. Most machining was done by his team, but the wooden cab was built personally by Walt himself.

The Rolling Stock

The train cars were crafted from various studio materials, with gondolas made of cast metal and a wood caboose complete with intricate details. The track and switch control systems were designed and monitored by Walt in his own barn, ensuring every detail was perfect for this little railroad.

A $50, 000 Investment

The Carolwood Pacific Railroad cost $50, 000 to build, with half going towards the layout and the other half for the rolling stock. Articles in magazines like Look brought visitors from all over who were eager to see this miniature marvel.

Incidents and Innovations

The Lilly Belle was a powerful locomotive, capable of pulling up to 12 adult passengers with its tractive effort of over 2, 000 pounds-force. However, it lacked brakes, so if needed, it would be set in reverse to stop quickly. In early 1953, an incident occurred when the Lilly Belle derailed while being driven too fast, causing minor burns on a five-year-old girl who ran through the steam jet. This led to the temporary closure of the CPRR.

Inspiring Disneyland

The Carolwood Pacific Railroad wasn’t just a fun hobby; it inspired Walt Disney to include railroad attractions in Disneyland’s design, which has become a staple of the theme park experience around the world. The Casey Jr. Circus Train and the Disneyland Railroad encircling the park retained many features from the CPRR.

Legacy and Beyond

The blueprint for the Lilly Belle locomotive was sold to model railroad hobbyists, with copies still used in various theme parks today, including Tokyo Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The CPRR also inspired other films and television specials like Out of Scale.

A Lasting Legacy

Even after the closure of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, its legacy lived on. In 1965, Walt donated track from the CPRR to the Los Angeles Live Steamers, a group of miniature steam train enthusiasts. The completed track installation was celebrated in 1966 at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum, just weeks before Disney’s death.

The original CPRR track was eventually removed and replaced with new track. Since 2009, some of the rolling stock has been on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco and inside the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room within Walt Disney World. The Carolwood Pacific Railroad may be a memory now, but its impact lives on through the dreams it inspired.