Originally Posted By smd4 As some of you may know, back in 2004, my book, "Welcome Aboard the Disneyland Railroad!" hit the shelves. It was (and still is) the most comprehensive book ever written exclusively about the Disneyland Trains. Michael Broggie was kind enough to write the foreword, and many folks like to think of it as a companion volume to his wonderful book. The book's been out of print for a while now, but over the years, I've added a lot of new material, and I've asked some friends to contribute vintage photos from their collections. This time, Theme Park Press is publishing an all-color version in hard cover, along with soft cover and Kindle versions. The book should be out this September. Publishing an all-color hard cover book is very expensive, so the publisher has set up a Kickstarter campaign. Thanks to some wonderful backers, we continue to raise the necessary funds. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bobmclain/history-of-the-disneyland-railroad I know there are lots of folks here who really enjoy the trains of Disneyland, so if you missed out on the first edition, I guarantee you will enjoy the second edition just as much if not more!
Originally Posted By monorailblue I see the second book on the Ward Kimball isn't being folded in, but is going to be used in various other ways. That doesn't make much sense to me. I have both books, but I'm on the fence about the newer edition, when the second book isn't simply being incorporated. Why is that? I'm very skittish about buying "improved" volumes after the Vault of Walt reprint dropped so much material (thankfully, I got both the original and the 'update').
Originally Posted By smd4 >>I see the second book on the Ward Kimball isn't being folded in...Why is that?<< Actually, I did include the Kimball book as the chapter on the Ward Kimball. However, I am not editing the new book. I suspect that the Kimball "chapter" will be greatly trimmed, as it is disproportionally larger than the chapters on the other four engines. After all, it ended up being a book in its own right.
Originally Posted By Tikiduck Interesting. I was lucky enough to spend some time as a guest with Roger Broggie jr. up in Oregon before he died. Learned some interesting Disney tidbits and saw some amazing artifacts. Roger built the Lilly Belle replica engine that is currently at the Main Street Station at Disneyland. At least I assume it is still there. Good luck with the book!
Originally Posted By smd4 Thanks Tiki! We more than doubled the Kickstarter goal, and the project is well on its way! Great that you could spend some time with Roger Jr.
Originally Posted By monorailblue Well, I shouldn't have dawdled, I guess. Glad the campaign was a success.
Originally Posted By smd4 Well, I received the edited manuscript from the publisher the other night. I will be choosing photos for each chapter this weekend. Things are progressing nicely! Monorailblue, you will be happy to hear that *most* of the Ward Kimball book was folded in, making it the largest chapter in the book. Since the Kimball book is really a stand-alone book, a lot of the introduction and conclusion was taken out, but it blends well with the other chapters on the other locomotives.
Originally Posted By smd4 OK, the book is officially in print! You can read more about it, see the chapter listing, and read a couple excerpts at Theme Park Press: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://themeparkpress.com/books/disneyland-railroad.htm">http://themeparkpress.com/book...road.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Tikiduck Congratulations! Hey, have you ever talked to Vern at the Main Street Railroad Station? He knew Ward Kimball pretty well, and is a whiz on anything to do with railroads, in and out of the Disney realm.
Originally Posted By smd4 No, I'm sorry to say I have not met Vern. Sounds like he would have been great to interview.
Originally Posted By smd4 Quick update from the publisher on the status of the full-color, hard cover edition: "Despite the best efforts of all involved, the hardcover version of DISNEYLAND RAILROAD is still with the printer. I hope to have copies in hand within the next 2-3 weeks. I'll keep everyone posted. Sorry for the delay!"
Originally Posted By smd4 Okay! Proof copy of the all-color, hard copy edition has gone to press! Here's a pic of the proof: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/sdegaetano/unnamed_zpsccpj7cjm.jpg">http://i25.photobucket.com/alb...7cjm.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By smd4 All Kickstarter reward books have been shipped, and the hard cover should be available for purchase on Amazon--and at the Walt Disney family Museum--shortly!
