#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History.....August 3, 1960

10 Millionth Passenger Rides Disneyland Railroad

August 3, 1960

On August 3, 1960, eight-year-old Raymond Sleeper from Hawaii became the 10-millionth passenger to ride the Disneyland Railroad.  He however didn’t take his historic ride alone but with another very special passenger rode with him- Walt Disney himself!

The Disneyland Railroad, one of the original attractions to be a part of Disneyland since opening day July 17, 1955, was inspired by Walt Disney's love for trains and his live steam backyard Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a love he shared with Disney animators Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston. The train originally consisted solely of custom-built, five-eighths-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 Railroad, these were also models of classic "Wild West"-style American 4-4-0s, but built to a larger five-eighths scale.  The Disneyland Railroad remains one of Disneyland's most popular attractions as riders can use it as transportation to other areas of the park or to simply ride the trains on the so-called "grand circle tour." Unlike the Disneyland Monorail System, which requires riders to disembark at the Tomorrowland station, passengers on the railroad can remain on the trains for as long as they wish. The railroad is, in fact, the first thing visitors see upon entering Disneyland via the main entrance.

Today guest can embark on a relaxing 18-minute, 1.2-mile scenic tour onboard the authentic steam-powered train. Offering convenient stops at New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown and Main Street, U.S.A., it's the perfect way to preview the magic at Disneyland Park and take in the picturesque scenery.  For an extra special ride, ask to ride either up front with the engineer in the tender car, or in the Presidential VIP Train Car,The Lilly Belle. All Aboard!  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History.........July 25, 1959

Engine No. 4 Ernest S. Marsh Joins

The Disneyland Railroad

July 25, 1959

Photo Credit Disney

On July 25, 1959, The Ernest S. Marsh locomotive (Engine No. 4) took its first inaugural run around Disneyland at the hands of Chief Engineer, Walt Disney. Since the Disneyland Railroad was originally known as the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, this engine, added on July 25, 1959, was named for Ernest S. Marsh – who was the current president of Santa Fe Railroad at the time. It was built in 1925 by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Penn. – the same company that built its fellow Disneyland Railroad engine, the Fred Gurley. The Disneyland Railroad  is a 3 ft  (914 mm)  iconic narrow gauge railroad that was inaugurated on the park’s live television preview on July 17, 1955. The live steam railway was constructed for $240,000; the two original locomotives cost $40,000 each. Riders use it as transportation to other areas of the park or simply for the experience of the "Grand Circle Tour". The Main Street railroad station is situated at the entrance of Disneyland.

The 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop originally only stopped at Main Street or Frontierland. The Frontierland Station was renovated when that section of the park became New Orleans Square in 1966. It was renamed to be the New Orleans Square station at a later date. The loop was expanded to stop at Fantasyland (which became Mickey's Toontown station) and Tomorrowland.  Today there are 5 engines that make up the Disneyland Railroad- Engine 1- C.K. Holliday, Engine 2 - E.P. Ripley, Engine 3- Fred Gurley, Engine 4- Ernest S. Marsh, and Engine 5- Ward Kimball.  All aboard!  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland History.

A View From the Front-The Disneyland Monorail

As part of our series of articles for the Adult Side of Disney, here is this month's installment of free and fun things you can do at  Disneyland® simply for the asking. This month we are riding up front as we hop on board the Monorail.

My first trip aboard the Monorail was in 1959 when it opened as both an attraction that took you on a guided tour through Disneyland.  Originally scheduled to open as part of the original Tomorrowland, Walt Disney himself originally envisioned this sleek transport as the practical form of public transportation of the future.  While at D23 last summer, world renown Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr told the story that The Monorail was one of the original park attractions that he and Walt Disney and worked on. Gurr went on to tell the tale that he was only able to test it one lap around before former President Nixon visited. Nixon and his family went two laps around, accidentally without his secret service. Luckily for all, the Monorail was off and running and continues to thrill visitors to this very day.  I can vividly remember back in 1961 when the tracks were extended and it became a true transportation system as I stepped on board at the station directly in front of the main lobby of the Disneyland Hotel for our ride directly into the Park.  Today there is still no better way for your first glimpse of the Disneyland Resort but did you know that you can do it from the front of the Monorail?   Unlike it’s counterpart in Walt Disney World, although you can no longer ride in the back of the train, the thrill of riding in the front of the Monorail is still available to Disneyland guests merely for the asking. Here are some easy tips to help you along your amazing journey:

Like many other of Disneyland’s Hidden Secrets, it all starts by asking the Cast Member stationed at either the Tomorrowland Station or the Downtown Disney Station. There may be other people who have asked ahead of you. If so, let the cast member know that you are willing to wait for multiple trains in order to be able to ride in the front. Trust me, the wait will be worth it. Before asking, make sure that your party size is within the limit. There is a strict limit of four people, no matter their age or size. If your group is larger than four, not everyone will be able to ride up front.

When given the green light from the Cast Member, make sure that wait in the spot where you are directed to. Wait until the train arrives, and the cast member will check to see if space is available. If so, you will be directed into the front cab of the monorail.

Want to boost your chances of riding in the front quickly? Ride during non peak times, For example, the monorails generally are full to capacity at park opening and closing times, but not many people go to the parks in the middle of the day. Off-peak times offer the best opportunity for a prompt ride in the monorail's front. Then sit back and enjoy the ride and one of the best views in all of Disneyland.  

 There are many insider secrets of free and fun things to do merely for the asking at the Disneyland Resort-from piloting the Mark Twain to sitting in the tinder car of the Disneyland Railroad to sitting in the front of the Monorail, the choices are endless. The only decision you have to make is which one to start with first!

All Aboard the Lilly Belle on the DIsneyland Railroad

As part of our series of articles for the Adult Side of Disney, here is this month's installment of free and fun things you can do at  Disneyland® simply for the asking. This month we are stepping on board the Lilly Belle, Walt's private train car on the  Disneyland® Railroad.  Each and every time I step through the Main Gates of Disneyland®, I am immediately transported back in time. With the beautiful floral Mickey Mouse waiting there to greet me, and the iconic Disneyland® Railroad right above it, I can feel the presence of what life must have been like for Walt Disney himself in an era of days gone by.  One of the most magical ways to fully take in all the history that Disneyland® has to offer is to step aboard the Disneyland® Railroad and take the journey around the Park. Here’s an Disneyland® insider tip-you can not only ride the train, but if you’re very lucky, you can experience it from inside the Lilly Belle, the Presidential Parlor Car. 

One of the things I love best is sharing my home Park with readers of the Adult Side Of Disney. One of my most treasured memories is that of riding in Walt's private train car, the Lilly Belle. 

Our love affair with riding in this special car first came during a summer visit to Disneyland® during the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration.  A simple pin trade with a wonderful Cast Member led into a week of dreams come true for our family. Each morning Josie would call bright and early with a place to meet up with her for our Dream of the Day and it was one of those daily wishes that found us inside The Lilly Belle.

From the moment you enter this most magical of cars, you can feel the history all around you. Attached to the end of the Disneyland® Train C.K. Holiday, The Lilly Belle was named after Walt’s wife, Lillian, who also helped to decorate the car.

As we quickly learned, The Lilly Belle was not just any car that was redecorated but one of the original cars from Disneyland’s opening back in 1955.  Back then, of course, it was not as lavishly decorated as it is today. In 1974, Disneyland Transportation Superintendent Ken Kohler realized the need to have a special train car where VIP guests and associates could be given tours of the park in a private, secure setting within two years the observation car ‘Grand Canyon’ was carefully transformed into the Disneyland® Railroad Presidential Parlor Car.

Numerous family photos and select memorabilia were placed within the car and little has changed from that day.  The Year of a Million Dreamspromotions have come and gone but you can still ride inside this traveling piece of Disneyland® history. Like piloting the Mark Twain, riding in the Lilly Belle has been up until now,  free for the asking. Upon arrival atDisneyland®, simply head to the Main Street Train Station and ask any of the Railroad Cast Members if there are available reservations for the day.  The Cast Member will give you a time to return as well as a wonderful souvenir ticket to keep.  You should allow 20-30 minutes for your trip around the Park.  It’s important to note that The Lilly Belle is not added on every day and over the last few months I have heard it may no longer be available to the general public but it may now be a part of Walk In Walt’s Footsteps Tour as well as still being available to Club 33 members. 

Another fun way to ride the Disneyland® Railroad is from the front of the train in the tender car, which is located just behind the steam engine’s cab. Most of the Disneyland® Railroad trains now have a cushioned seat in the front part of the tender that easily fits two adults or and adult and a child.  Not only does riding in the tender car offer great views, but it gives you a chance to talk to the engineer and fireman and you take your journey around the Park.  Make sure you arrive first thing in the morning to check with the Railroad Cast Member about availability for the day and they will check with the engineer to check to see if a ride is offered on the next trip.  Sometimes it can be a 20-40 minute wait, but the wait will be worth the memories you will make.  Now that you’ve ridden aboard The Disneyland Railroad, coming up next we will show how to hitch a ride on the Monorail –riding up front of course!