When Walt built Disneyland, he wanted complete control over the steam trains, so that he could take them out when ever he wanted. Thus, he placed the steam trains, and then later the monorails under the ownership of Retlaw and leased them back to the park. In 1982, the family decided to sell the assets of Retlaw to the Disney Company, and a holding company, Walt Disney Incorporated was formed. Eventually, the steam trains and monorails became "officially" Disneyland's property.
Locomotives: Four steam locomotives are used on the S.F. & D. They all are petroleum fuel burners.
Steam Train #1:
Engine: CK Holiday
Named For: Cyrus Kurtz Holliday (1826-1900). Founder of the Atchison and Topeka Railroad (Santa Fe's predecessor) in 1859.
Builder: Built by Disney machinists headed by Roger Broggie for $100,000 ($1.2 million in 2021 dollars)
Inservice At Disneyland: July 15, 1955
C. K. Holiday (4-4-0) was patterned after locomotives used in the mid-1800's. Designed specifically for Disneyland by WED Enterprises, this locomotive has a large diamond stack on the boiler which is similar to those used widely on wood-burning engines between 1860-1890.
Steam Train #2:
Engine: EP Ripley
Named For: Edward Payso Ripley (1845-1920). First President of the reorganized Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1895.
Builder: Built by Disney machinists headed by Roger Broggie for $100,000 ($1.2 million in 2021 dollars)
Inservice At Disneyland: July 15, 1955
E. P. Ripley (4-4-0) was built simultaneously with the C. K. Holiday for service beginning on Disneyland's opening day in 1955. This locomotive is characteristic of those used during the mid-1800's. The capstack on the boiler is the type that was used on coal-burning engines of that period.
Steam Train #3:
Engine: Fred Gurley
Named For: Fred Gurley . Chairman of the board Santa Fe Railroad.
Builder: Built by the Bladwin Locomotive Works in August 1894.
Inservice At Disneyland: March 28 1958
Fred Gurley was purchased by Walt Disney for $1,200 ($12,000 in 2021 dollars) from the Godchaux Sugar Company in Louisiana. In 1957, the locomotive, originally used to haul sugar cane from plantations to shipping docks in New Orleans, was brought to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Studio designers restored, refurbished the train. This locomotive, characterized by a capstack, was first used at Louisiana sugar plantations before being rebuilt by WED Enterprises for Disneyland service.
Steam Train #4:
Engine: Ernest S. March
Named For: Ernest S. Marsh (1903-1975). President of the Santa Fe Railway from 1957-1966, strong advocate of the Santa Fe and Disneyland relationship.
Builder:Built 1925 for Raritan River Sand Company
Inservice At Disneyland: July 25 1959
Ernest S. March Purchased by Walt Disney for $2,000 ($19,000 in 2021 dollars). Ernest S. March (2-4-0) (1959) sports a diamond stack cinder trap. This locomotive was built in 1925 and used in New Jersey lumber mills; re-built completely by WED Enterprises for Disneyland service.
Trains:
1. Passenger Train is a replica of Santa Fe passenger trains of the 1890 era which were lavishly decorated and furnished for dignitaries and politicians touring the country.
2. Holiday Red Train (re-designed 1958) is a replica of trains which carried the riches of the West to eastern markets. Styled after "River Trains" with open cars, all seats face one side of the train. Each car is decorated with red-and-white-striped canopies.
3. Excursion Special Train (1958) is an open-air touring train typical of those used in the East for excursion trips before the turn of the century. They were known as "Narragansett cars."
4. & 5. Holiday Green & Holiday Blue Trains. (1966) are patterned after the "River Trains"-styled Holiday Red. These trains are identical except for different colored striped canopies and car numbers. The Main Street station is a typical 1900-era brick structure with gabled roof, cupolas and the Town Clock. Inside, the "Lilly Belle" -- the scale model locomotive which once circled Walt Disney's home -- is on display. The Frontierland station is a frame building housing a clattering telegraph office and baggage handling facilities. In new Tomorrowland, guests board trains of the Santa Fe Disneyland Railroad for a journey through the Grand Canyon and Primeval World.
Nomenclature May 25 1955:
Freight Cars and Equipment Equipment Numbering System:
201 series Box cars
301 series Stock cars
01 series Gondolas 501
series Caboose 51
series Old time 2-man hand car
61 series Old time 1-man "Irish Mail"
71 series Motor scooter
81 series Push car
Wells Fargo Express & Baggage: Coach #101
Navajo Chief I: Coach #102
Colorado Rockies: Coach #103
Land of Pueblos: Coach #104
Painted Desert: Coach #105
Grand Canyon Observation: Coach #106
Original Stations: Main Street and Frontierland. Fantasyland station added in 1956 and Tomorrowland station added in 1958.
Required a "C" ticket in 1955
In 1956 the phone extension for Main Street Station was 398
Required a "D" ticket in 1956-1957
Required a "E" ticket in 1959
Required a "E" ticket in 1964-1965
From WED Disneyland Dictionary 1968
Includes five trains, all of 1890 vintage or older. They depart regularly from the Main Street station at Disneyland Main Entrance for a trip completely around the "Magic Kingdom" with stops at Frontierland and new Tomorrowland. Each land is viewed on the 1 1/4-mile journey, climaxed by a trip through the Grand Canyon and Pitimevat Woad. Track gauge is 36 inches. Cars are 5/8 scale.
Required a "D" ticket in 1970's
