Iron Horses of Walt Disney WorldA Photo Tour of the Rail-Inspired Iron Spike RoomFriday, June 24, 2005
by Brian Bennett, staff writerI do not consider myself a Disney historian by any means.
I do, however, enjoy the history of Disney, in all of the past goings-on
regarding the things that Walt himself did and that were accomplished
by the Disney animators, Imagineers, and cast members. It truly is astounding
when you think about what this company, founded by two brothers from the
Midwest, achieved during such a relatively short time. Almost every American
has some tie to or remembrance of something Disney, whether it was enjoying
the animated features as a young child, enjoying the Wonderful World
of Disney as a family on Sunday night television, watching the live
action movies (like The Love Bug, The Swiss Family Robinson,
Blackbeard's Ghost, and The Parent Trap), or enjoying one
of the Disney theme parks. Now that I live in Florida, I no longer think of visiting Walt Disney
World as a vacationer. Although sometimes it seems like a lifetime, it
wasn't long ago that my family and I, Disney Vacation Club members at
the time, would make the annual trip down to Central Florida to enjoy
all that Walt Disney World has to offer. Among those things that I used
to enjoy most upon my arrival at the resort, was the wonderful theming
of parks and hotels. Walt's own remembrances and interests drove many
of those themes. Of course, Walt fondly remembered the small town of Marceline,
Missouri, where he spent the happiest years of his youth . He loved adventure.
He proudly remembered the history of our young nation. He developed fairytale
stories into chronicles involving believable characters and events. He
was fascinated with the future and the promise that it holds for everyone. One thread that weaved throughout Walt's life is that of the parallel
iron rails of America's railroads. As a young boy, Walt was captivated—as
were most boys at that time—with the huge locomotives and the passenger
and freight cars they hauled along the tracks. As an adult, Walt actually
built a small scale model railroad that ran on a track (complete with
tunnel and trestle) around his Holmby Hills estate on Carolwood Drive
(in California). The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society does a great
job of providing information on the "Carolwood Pacific" Railroad, as Disney
dubbed it. It's no surprise that when Walt started planning a little park where
he and his daughters could enjoy some time together, that those plans
included a railroad. When Disneyland opened in July 1955, the Disneyland
Railroad, featuring hand-built, oil-fired engines built in Disney's own
machine shops, started hauling guests around the berm that surrounded
the park. Over the years, other rail-based transportation became available
at Disneyland, including the Peoplemover and monorail. Walt Disney World also has a great collection of rail-based transportation.
I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the memorabilia, as
well as the actual railroads and rolling stock at the Florida parks. 
The Iron Spike Room marquee signage welcomes guests to this special railroad-themed
location. Photo by Brian Bennett.
I can't think of a better place to begin our look at Walt Disney World's
rail-based collection than at the Iron Spike Room at the Villas at Wilderness
Lodge. The Iron Spike Room is a sitting and game room just off the entry
lobby of the Villas building, decorated in a rough railroad motif. To
make it even more fun for Disney fans, the railroad motif focuses on Walt
Disney's railroad—the Carolwood Pacific—as well as a smattering
of other railroad memorabilia. Let's begin our tour just outside the Iron Spike Room in the building
lobby, with this rustic cabinet filled with railroad treasures. 
The display cabinet outside the Iron Spike Room houses railroad treasures.
Photo by Brian Bennett.
Among the items on display include a highly detailed model of an engine… 
A small railroad engine sits in the display cabinet outside the Iron Spike
Room. Photo by Brian Bennett.
a lantern… 
The rustic cabinet displays a railroad lantern. Photo by Brian Bennett.
…an engineer's and conductor's hat… 
The rustic cabinet displays an engineer hat and conductor hat. Photo by
Brian Bennett.
and a conductor's timepiece. 
The rustic cabinet displays a conductor's timepiece. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Several paintings adorn the walls in the Iron Spike entryway. They certainly
set the mood for the railroad-themed room. 
The Iron Spike Room displays many rail-inspired artwork, including this
piece. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Another painting on display in the Iron Spike Room is “Walt's Magical
Barn,” a painting by noted artist Bob Byerley created in 2001 in
celebration of Walt Disney's 100th birthday. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Another painting on display in the Iron Spike Room celebrates the beauty
of trains and wildlife. Photo by Brian Bennett.
This map of the United States identifies the various railroad lines, interspersed
with whimsical drawings of Mickey and his pals. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Other items, such as this vintage railroad photo, add additional interest.
Unfortunately, this is one of the very few items in the room that does
not have a caption that explains what it is—I'd love to know more
about it. 
A vintage photo of a railroad car is on display at the Iron Spike Room.
Photo by Brian Bennett.
My son Allan dutifully wearing his “1971 Walt Disney World”
outfit, shows that even the fireplace grate has a train theme. 
A railroad lover's delight, the fireplace at the Iron Spike Room has a
grate that is one-of-a-kine. Photo by Brian Bennett.
This photograph shows Walt along with several other railroad enthusiasts.
The photo caption reads, "Walt Disney poses with the Grizzly Flats Railroad
crew at the home of animator and longtime railroad buff Ward Kimball (right
of Walt). Walt was named honorary engineer at this 'steam up' of the 1881
Emma Nevada engine which was fully restored by Ward and his friends."
Photo provided to the Iron Spike room by the Carolwood Pacific Historical
Society. 
A smiling Walt (fifth from the left) poses with some rail enthusiasts.
Photo courtesy of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society.
Of course, all of the hands-on excitement at the Kimball household just
convinced Disney all the more that he had to have his own railroad. The
result was the Lilly Belle, the plans of which are on display here
in the Iron Spike Room. 
Plans for the Lilly Belle are on display at the Iron Spike Room.
Photo by Brian Bennett.
The Lilly Belle, named after Walt's wife Lillian, was fabricated
by Walt with a huge amount of help by Imagineer Rogger Broggie, shown
here with Walt and the finished model steam engine. The photo caption
reads, "Walt Disney admires the Lilly Belle, a one-eighth-scale model
steam locomotive built by machinist Roger Broggie and his staff in the
studio machine shop." Photo provided to the Iron Spike room by the Carolwood
Pacific Historical Society. 
Imagineer Roger Broggie (left) and Walt Disney enjoy a moment enjoying
with the finished model steam engine, the Lilly Belle. Photo courtesy
of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society.
"Walt Disney smiles as he hears the whistle on his Lilly Belle steam
locomotive for the first time. Eddie Sergeant (left), the studio's mechanical
draftsman, drew the engineering plans for the train. Legendary animator
and Imagineer Ward Kimball (right), was another of Walt's fellow railroad
enthusiasts." Photo provided to the Iron Spike room by the Carolwood Pacific
Historical Society. 
Walt Disney hears the whistle of the Lilly Belle for the first
time . Photo courtesy of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society.
Here's a great shot of the Carolwood Pacific in action. The photo caption
reads, "Walt Disney sits behind the throttle of his Lilly Belle steam
engine as it chugs onto the mainline of the Carolwood-Pacific Railroad,
which ran through the Disney family estate on Carolwood Drive in Holmby
Hills, California." Photo provided to the Iron Spike room by the Carolwood
Pacific Historical Society. 
Walt Disney sits behind the throttle of the Lilly Belle steam engine.
Photo courtesy of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society.
This gorgeous model of the Lilly Belle is also on display.
The Lilly Belle is prominently showcased in the Iron Spike Room.
Photo by Brian Bennett.
"In 1950, prior to Disneyland Park, Walt Disney created a one-eighth-scale
model live steam railroad at his family's Carolwood estate in the Holmby
Hills area of Los Angeles. These are two of the original freight cars
built in the studio's machine shop by Roger Broggie for the Carolwood
Pacific Railroad. Passengers rode on the cars traveling over 2,615 feet
of track that ran throughout the five-acre property on carolwood drive."
Courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Foundation. 
A case displays two of the original freight cars built by Roger Broggie
for the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Photo by Brian Bennett.
A close-up view of one of the original freight cars built by Roger Broggie
for the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.. Photo by Brian Bennett.
A view of another one of the original freight cars built by Roger Broggie
for the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The level of detail is incredible, and the wheels and coupling are a
great example. 
Visitors can see the details on the coupling and wheels on the original
freight cars built by Roger Broggie for the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.
Photo by Brian Bennett.
Of course, after a while Walt Disney tired of his small model railroad.
A minor mishap in which a family guest was injured (not severely) caused
Walt to eventually dismantle the Carolwood Pacific. On to bigger and better
things, though—he literally surrounded Disneyland with another model
railroad. The caption to this photo reads, "Imagineer Roger Broggie took this photograph
of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at Disneyland on June 18, 1955, one day
after the park opened to the public. The headlamp has not yet been installed
on the brand new, five-eighths-scale steam engine, E. P. Ripley." Courtesy
of the Walt Disney Family Foundation. 
Walt and Mickey pose in front of Disneyland Railroad's E. P. Ripley
on July 18, 1955, one day after the park opened to the public. Original
photo by Roger Broggie.
The caption to this photo reads, "Walt Disney takes a turn on an authentic
railroad handcar at Disneyland. The handcar was a gift presented to Walt
by noted railroad historian Jerry Best." Courtesy of the Walt Disney Family
Foundation. 
Walt Disney pushes an authentic railroad handcar at Disneyland. Original
photo courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Foundation.
And that is that. Next time, we continue our Walt Disney World railroad odyssey… but
where we'll go is still a surprise!
Thoughts, questions, or comments? Contact Brian here.
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