The Disneyland Railroad, much like it’s counterpart the Walt Disney World Railroad over at the Magic Kingdom, is a tribute to one of the great passions of Walt Disney — trains.
Did you know…about the Disneyland Railroad
Did you know that the Disneyland Railroad was originally name the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad? Step on board the Disneyland Railroad at any of the four stops along it’s journey — Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, or Tomorrowland, and revel in this classic mode of transportation that takes us back to the turn of the 20th Century. There are five different trains to ride on. They are the C.K. Holliday, the E.P. Ripley, the Ernest S. Marsh, the Fred Gurley, and the Ward Kimball.
- The C.K. Holliday train is named after the founder of the Atchison & Topeka Railroad, Cyrus Kurtz Holliday. This train was introduced on Opening Day of Disneyland, July 17, 1955.
- The E.P. Ripley train is named after the first president of the Atchison & Topeka Railroad, Edward Payson Ripley. This train was also introduced on Opening Day of Disneyland.
- The Fred Gurley train is not one of the original Disneyland trains, but it has the distinction of being the oldest train at Disneyland! This train was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1894 — before Walt Disney was even born! This train will celebrate its 120th year of service next year! It was introduced at Disneyland on March 28, 1958, and is named after the president of the Santa Fe Railroad, Fred G. Gurley, who was president from 1944 – 1957.
- The Ernest S. Marsh train is named after the man who was the president of the Santa Fe Railroad when this train was introduced at Disneyland on July 25th, 1959.
- The Ward Kimball train is named in honor of one of Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and Disney Legend, Ward Kimball, who, along with fellow Nine Old Men member and Disney Legend Ollie Johnston, were huge train enthusiasts, just like Walt.
The last piece in the puzzle that is the Disneyland Railroad is the Lilly Belle Presidential train car, which is, of course, named after Walt Disney’s wife Lilly. Make sure you check it out for an incredible step back in Disney history!
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My favorite part of the train at Disneyland are the dioramas, especially the one of the Grand Canyon. Mike, keep an eye out for it and have a great trip!
Thanks, Theresa! I read about those, I can’t wait to see them in person!