Recently the Carolwood Foundation purchased and restored the original Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad combine car. The intention is to have it placed on the grounds of the LA Live Steamers next to Walt Disney’s Carolwood barn. And last weekend they took the beautifully restored railroad car to meet up with its former fellow Disneyland Railroad cars for a very unique and historic reunion.
The combine car has been on display next to the Carolwood barn for a few months now but it is need of a protective enclosure to keep it in its newly pristine condition. This endeavor is not without great cost. And for the non-profit society, that means fundraising. So it was arranged for the four original cars to be reunited for the first time in over 25 years-- excluding the Lily Belle coach which still makes its way around Disneyland.
It was set up as a fundraising event in which the combine car would be hauled up to the Santa Margarita Ranch in San Louis Obispo where the other cars currently reside. It would hitch up to the train and take passengers around the scenic ranch.
They would bring guests in from Northern California as well as Southern California via Amtrak. The event was so popular that some buses were needed to carry the overflow of eager Disney fans.
The trip around the ranch in the original Disneyland Railroad was only a small part of the fun. Those in attendance would also get to meet and speak with several Disney Legends such as Floyd Norman, who started his career as an animator on Sleeping Beauty; Jeff Pidgeon, a 20-year Pixar employee who started as a story artist on Toy Story; Ray Cadd, a Principal Concept Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering; and, Tony Baxter, Senior Creative VP of Walt Disney Imagineering, who created such iconic attractions as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Indiana Jones Adventure, and Disneyland Paris.
The operation of the orginal Disneyland railroard, known as the Retlaw 1(Walter spelled backwards), was a particularly poignant moment for two of the guests. Both Disney Historian Michael Broggie and Disney Legend Bob Gurr were present for the construction of the cars, their operation on Disneyland's Opening Day and for the now for the reunion event, more than 55 years later.
One patron, Diana Waller had this to say:
"I truly cannot put into words how much fun I had this weekend on our so very, very, very special Carolwood rail trip! It was absolutely fabulous….., but those words, nor can any words, properly or fully express how unbelievably wonderful it was……… I simply did not want it to end! It was one of the best weekends I have ever had – truly!!”
Said Society president Michael Campbell:
“The trip and event went very smooth from all aspects. The activities at the hotel and the ranch were fantastic and exceeded all our expectations in terms of operation, income and guest satisfaction.”
The fundraiser went so well that the society has since planned and sold out the next fundraising effort. There is also a BBQ fundraiser at Walt’s Carolwood barn that is planned for this summer.
Carolwood is still paying off the price of purchasing and restoring the car, let alone the enclosure that will eventually be its permanent home. Carolwood supporter and lincensed architect, Miguel Fernandez, has drawn up the plans and nailing down exact costs are currently underway.
The Disneyland Railroad reunion was able to bring in a much needed $20 thousand toward the effort. There is still a projected $50 thousand remaining to cover all the expenses. The additional fundraising efforts this summer should go a long way toward reaching that goal.
While the Carolwood Foundation has made great progress in the preservation of Walt Disney's Combine, there is still a lot left to do. They are a completely non-profit organization which relies on volunteers as well as public support, from donations in kind or cash contributions. People are invited to learn more about the Foundation and their efforts by visiting www.carolwood.org or -- better yet -- coming out to Walt's Barn on the third Sunday of the month. You will be glad you did.
You can keep up with all these events by becoming a Carolwood member. Either way, keep an eye out for these future fundraising efforts and you too can be a part of something like the Railroad coach reunion. An event of which Disney Legend Floyd Norman called:
"An awesome weekend at the Santa Margarita Ranch in San Louis Obispo. Somehow, I feel Walt Disney was with us the whole time."
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