Originally Posted By Mr Incredible Does anyone know the significance of the Lilly Belle [the Engine] being #173?
Originally Posted By ArchtMig The original Lily Belle, the miniature steam engine in Walt's backyard Carolwood Pacific Railroad, was based upon the actual Central Pacific Railroad's Engine #173. In his research on what he wanted his engine to look like, Walt thought the CPRR #173 was particularly handsome looking. He also thought that it was a nice coincidence that basing the name of his backyard railroad partly after the street he lived on (Carolwood Drive), yielded initials (CPRR) that were the same as those from the Central Pacific Railroad.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Well, the miniature Lilly Belle that ran on Walt's Carolwood Pacific garden railroad was #173. I don't know why he chose that number though.
Originally Posted By wookieecantina Regarding the Lilly Belle, normally the car is reserved for VIP guests of the park and Club 33 members and their guests. This is my most current information, but things could have changed. Because the car was vandalized and required repair, Club members must obtain a ticket from Town Hall whereupon such ticket is presented to a conductor. The members may ride with their guests as long as they wish. The car was recently rebuilt and is absolutely beautiful inside. Very plush, very comfortable. If you can secure a ride, I highly recommend it! There are a lot of people who know a great deal more about the car, perhaps they'll post some additional information.
Originally Posted By TinksBestFriend I rode in the Lilly Belle on Friday, May 4th. (May the fourth be with you) First make sure the Lilly Belle is operating-it usually is-and ask a Conductor at the Main Street Station if you can ride. A Conductor must be available to ride with you. You can get on and off only at the Main Street Station. A magical ride in a magical place. The DLRR is down until June 8th.
Originally Posted By DlandDug A little more info. There is a Lilly Belle engine, and a Lilly Belle parlor car. The Lilly Belle engine was, indeed, a 1/8 scale miniature steam locomotive that was run in Walt Disney's back yard from 1950-53. It was based on the Central Pacific engine #173, which was broken up in 1909. Walt's engine is today in the collection of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, and is stored in the Bay area. It will one day be displayed in a library and museum that the Foundation has been planning. The Lilly Belle engine was 1/8 scale. The Disneyland Railroad engine #1 (the C.K. Holliday) is a 5/8 scale model of the same engine. It is named for the founder of the Santa Fe Railroad, the original sponsor of Disneyland's steam trains. (P.S. Fun fact: There is one major detail that is larger than 5/8 scale. The cab is slightly larger, since there are no 5/8 scale engineers to run the trains!) To ride the C.K. Holliday, go to Main Street Station and ask a conductor about taking a "tender run." If they are being offered that day, you (and a guest) will be allowed to ride just behind the engine, and talk with the engineer and fireman, for a complete round trip of Disneyland. The Lilly Belle parlor car is not actually related to the engine. It was created in the mid 1970s to serve as a VIP car during the bicentennial. The original car was the "Grand Canyon" observation car, part of the original rolling stock used at Disneyland in 1955. After the Grand Canyon diorama was built, the passenger cars were retired in favor of open gondola cars that offered better views. The Lilly Belle was pulled off the line after several years of service, due to wear and tear, but mostly wood rot. It was recently restored and is now running again. It is supposed to be available only to VIPs and members of Club 33. But it doesn't hurt to check at Main Street Station and see if you can get a ride amid the plush velvet, marble and brass fittings of this elegant piece of Disneyland history.
Originally Posted By Mr Incredible >>>>Walt's engine is today in the collection of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, and is stored in the Bay area. It will one day be displayed in a library and museum that the Foundation has been planning.<<<<< Are you saying that the Lilly Belle engine model, that is in the Main Street Station, is not Walts Lilly Belle engine? I'm Confused.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Are you saying that the Lilly Belle engine model, that is in the Main Street Station, is not Walts Lilly Belle engine?<< The engine model displayed in Main Street Station is not Walt's Lilly Belle engine. Walt's was displayed in Main Street station for many years, in a specially designed case that promoted the Santa Fe Railroad. This case was located in the diagonal wall that today holds a large clock and several photos of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. When Santa Fe ceased sponsorship of the railroad, the case was walled up. The Lilly Belle, along with Walt's hand built caboose was later displayed in a free standing case that faces the doors as you enter. This engine was later loaned to the Reagan Library for a special exhibit about the life and interests of Walt Disney. After the Reagan exhibit, the family took the engine and caboose back (They were personally owned by Walt Disney, and are the property of the family.) This engine was displayed at the Nixon Library last Christmas, and was again returned to the family in the Bay area. So what about the engine that is currently on display in Main Street station? That is Lilly Belle II. It was built for an exhibit at the Disney Gallery in Tokyo Disneyland. TDL did a special exhibit about Walt's trains. They wanted to display the Lilly Belle, but the family declined to send it to Japan. They did, however, offer several components for another engine that Walt had made, intending to build a second engine for the Carolwood Pacific. These parts were used, along with newly made pieces taken from Walt's original blueprints, to create a duplicate of the Lilly Belle. After it was displayed in Tokyo Disneyland, it was sent to Disneyland in Anaheim, where it remains on display to this day.
