Of Interest to CP&LE fans.....

Those of you who are fans or current or former employees of the CP&LE might be interested to know that the locomotive formerly #1 Maud L (now Disneyland RR #5 Ward Kimball) is tentively scheduled to arrive at DL next month, and be dedicated on May 5, 2005 (05-05-05).

How did Disney come up with the name Ward Kimball?

Ward Kimball was one of the "Nine Old Men", Walt Disney's original animation team. Also, Ward was a diehard rail enthusiast, having owned two operational narrow gauge steam locomotives, which he ran on his backyard railroad, the Grizzly Flats RR.

Thanks, that's an interesting tidbit of information!

I'm glad to hear it! I'm about as attached to Disney World/Land as I am to Cedar Point. I think Ward unfortunately died recently...

Ward Kimball, his antique toy train collection and the Grizzly Flats RR was featured on the "Great Toy Train Layouts" video series though I don't remember which volume.

He seemed like a real interesting and fun loving character!

Was this the train that originaly came from disney? I remember that cp got one of there trains from disney years ago.

If so, its kind of weird that its going back.

Although, I did hear that eather the track gauge or the weight of the train was too much for the tracks at the point, so it was hardley ever used.

Again, this is if its the same train I was thinking of.

The one that they got from Disney is still sitting in the engine house. The locomotive we're talking about was the first one obtained for the CP&LE in 1963, the Maud L. Disney swaped the original Ward for Maud a few years ago, and is going to be rechristened the Ward Kimball after a complete rebuild (which it definitely needed). Maud L is nearly identical to their # 3 the Fred Gurley so it will fit in perfectly at DL. The one that the Point got in return was too big for the DLRR, therefore the swap. There are rumblings that it's wheel base is longer than Albert's and it may not make some of the curves. From what I've heard they are looking into rebuilding either Albert, or Jenny K. The former needs extensive frame work,which probably would require it being sent out. Jenny K needs firebox work which can be done locally by a qualifed boiler works.

For those wondering, here is the link for the old Ward Kimball in the shop.

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=1614

Click the notes link and scroll down to see the picture of him at Disney and read some of the other information.

*** Edited 3/5/2005 1:27:36 PM UTC by cp&le rr guy***

That pic was taken at Shop Services in Iowa when it went through it's second rehab for the Norred collection. The locomotive in Front of it is the Crown that is now at Neverland Ranch. The last I heard Jenny is still out back of the engine house covered by tarps, although she might have been brought in to be evaluated for a rebuild.
*** Edited 3/5/2005 12:20:54 AM UTC by Dutchman***

Dutchman, do you know what years those videos on that site were filmed, and who filmed them?

I'm not sure. It was after Jenny went lame, but before Albert and Maud L were withdrawn from service. I'd hazard it was in the eaarly to mid 90's.

Ok, that's what I was thinking.

Anyone else know?

It seems the old Ward K. was also run at Six Flags Great America (both under Six Flags and Marriot ownership).

That boy gets around!

It was originally refurbished for Marriotts great America in Gurnee,IL, by Keystone Light Railways of Irwin,PA. It never operated there under either ownership. It was sold to a private collector and was overhauled further at Shop Services in Iowa. He would later swap it to Disney for the dormant "Retlaw 1" train coaches. The coaches had been withdrawn from service some time ago because they were slow to load and unload. The locomotive was intended to be used at Disneyland. However it was discovered it was too large. There were clearance issues, plus it was considerably heavier than existing locomotives there and would require strengthening trestles and widening tunnels and cuts. The loco was then sent to Disneyworld, and they said they didn't need it. It was christened the Ward Kimball at that time and put on static display after being the enginehouse queen for awhile. After a couple of years a swap between Disney and Cedar Fair sent the Ward to Sandusky and Maud L to Anaheim.

On Friday, April 15th the Ward Kimball (formerly Maud L) was transported from Boschan Boiler & Restoration to Disneyland. It is undergoing some finish work on site and should be ready for tial runs shortly. Here are a couple of pics of it at the Disneyland RR shop. http://www.burnsland.com/cgi-bin/drrdb2/ikonboard.cgi?s=56e3206bd06407187fdc2ff8ca84fb3c;act=ST;f=2;t=118;st=0;&#entry2

The pics were withdrawn today, as there were taken at Boschan (not at the Park) and there is a non disclosure agreement between the contractor and Disney.

I'm glad I looked at them yesterday. Rather anal of them, wouldn't you say?

MrScott

It's Disney, Paul Boschan signed a non disclosure agreement. Never mind the fact that the locomotive could be seen from the street, or that it was transported uncovered to the park. He wasn't supposed to let anybody publish photos of it untill they said so. They did the same thing to Brass Ring Entertainment when they did the mechanical overhaul of King Arthurs Carousel.

This past weekend was a milestone, the old gal breathes again!http://www.burnsland.com/cgi-bin/drrdb2/ikonboard.cgi?s=c670673d8cb5b7ebae650c53f425d5fd;act=ST;f=2;t=133