There are four pieces of Walt Disney Railroad equipment with the name "Lilly Belle." As a Disney Theme park AND Railroad fan I thought I would share my photos of this equipment along with a bit of history.
1. "Lilly Belle" Locomotive
On display at the Walt Disney Family Museum. San Francisco, California.
The original dates back to 1950 when Walt Disney had a scale-model live steam railroad built in the backyard of his California home. The steam locomotive that he had built was a 7.25" gauge 4-4-0 type locomotive patterned after Central Pacific #173. Roger Broggie and his team built most of the locomotive, and Walt Disney personally assisted on several parts and built the wooden cab for the locomotive himself. Walt Disney named the locomotive - the "Lilly Belle" after his wife, Lillian.
This original locomotive is now on public display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California. Along with the Locomotive are several pieces of rolling stock from the "Carolwood Pacific" backyard railroad, including a wooden caboose that was hand-made by Walt Disney himself.
1. "Lilly Belle" Locomotive
On display at the Walt Disney Family Museum. San Francisco, California.
The original dates back to 1950 when Walt Disney had a scale-model live steam railroad built in the backyard of his California home. The steam locomotive that he had built was a 7.25" gauge 4-4-0 type locomotive patterned after Central Pacific #173. Roger Broggie and his team built most of the locomotive, and Walt Disney personally assisted on several parts and built the wooden cab for the locomotive himself. Walt Disney named the locomotive - the "Lilly Belle" after his wife, Lillian.
This original locomotive is now on public display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California. Along with the Locomotive are several pieces of rolling stock from the "Carolwood Pacific" backyard railroad, including a wooden caboose that was hand-made by Walt Disney himself.
The Lilly Belle Locomotive - Built by Roger Broggie and Walt Disney. Now on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Carolwood Pacific "Lilly Belle" Steam Locomotive - on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California.
2. "Lilly Belle II" Locomotive.
On display at Disneyland Park. Anaheim, California.
The next "Lilly Belle" began as a second locomotive for Walt's Carolwood Pacific. Roger Broggie had begun working on a 4-6-0 steam locomotive when Walt changed his focus from the Carolwood Pacific to something a bit grander in scale... Disneyland. The parts went into storage and the locomotive was never completed. Many years later Tokyo Disneyland requested the original "Lilly Belle" locomotive to display during an anniversary event. The original was already on loan to be displayed at Disneyland, so it was suggested that this second locomotive be completed and sent to Tokyo Disneyland for display. While Roger Broggie had passed away a few years prior, his son Michael Broggie, who had assisted his father with the original Lilly Belle, completed this second locomotive as a virtual duplicate of the original.
While the original Lilly Belle had been on display at Disneyland Park, it was always the property of the Walt Disney family. When the family began the Walt Disney Family Museum, the Lilly Belle would become part of their display, so now the "second Lilly Belle" is on display at Disneyland just inside Main Street Station near the entrance of the park.
Disneyland Railroad
On display at Disneyland Park. Anaheim, California.
The next "Lilly Belle" began as a second locomotive for Walt's Carolwood Pacific. Roger Broggie had begun working on a 4-6-0 steam locomotive when Walt changed his focus from the Carolwood Pacific to something a bit grander in scale... Disneyland. The parts went into storage and the locomotive was never completed. Many years later Tokyo Disneyland requested the original "Lilly Belle" locomotive to display during an anniversary event. The original was already on loan to be displayed at Disneyland, so it was suggested that this second locomotive be completed and sent to Tokyo Disneyland for display. While Roger Broggie had passed away a few years prior, his son Michael Broggie, who had assisted his father with the original Lilly Belle, completed this second locomotive as a virtual duplicate of the original.
While the original Lilly Belle had been on display at Disneyland Park, it was always the property of the Walt Disney family. When the family began the Walt Disney Family Museum, the Lilly Belle would become part of their display, so now the "second Lilly Belle" is on display at Disneyland just inside Main Street Station near the entrance of the park.
Disneyland Railroad
Lilly Belle Locomotive on Display at Disneyland Park.
3. "Lilly Belle" Parlor Car
Operating on the Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland Park. Anaheim, California.
The next Lilly Belle is the only "Lilly Belle" that is NOT a locomotive!
It's also the only "Lilly Belle" that Lillian Disney herself helped to design.
When the Disneyland Railroad opened in 1955, there was a traditional 36" gauge wooden coach train built by RETLAW. This set of coaches included a rear-platform observation car called the "Grand Canyon." As the park evolved this set of cars was used less and less and was eventually placed into storage. In 1974, the observation car was rebuilt as a "Presidential Car" for VIP guests of Disneyland to ride in. Lillian Disney personally helped to design the interior of the car that was renamed in her honor. The car remains in operation today and is still used for VIP guests as well as participants of select guided tours.
Disneyland Railroad
Operating on the Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland Park. Anaheim, California.
The next Lilly Belle is the only "Lilly Belle" that is NOT a locomotive!
It's also the only "Lilly Belle" that Lillian Disney herself helped to design.
When the Disneyland Railroad opened in 1955, there was a traditional 36" gauge wooden coach train built by RETLAW. This set of coaches included a rear-platform observation car called the "Grand Canyon." As the park evolved this set of cars was used less and less and was eventually placed into storage. In 1974, the observation car was rebuilt as a "Presidential Car" for VIP guests of Disneyland to ride in. Lillian Disney personally helped to design the interior of the car that was renamed in her honor. The car remains in operation today and is still used for VIP guests as well as participants of select guided tours.
Disneyland Railroad
Disneyland Railroad - Lilly Belle - Parlor Car at the entrance to the park.
Disneyland Railroad "Lilly Belle" Parlor Car at Main Street USA .
Interior of the Lilly Belle Parlor Car on the Disneyland Railroad.
The Back platform of the Disneyland Railroad "Lilly Belle" Parlor Car as seen from Main Street USA.
4. Lilly Belle Locomotive
Operating on the Walt Disney World Railroad at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
The final "Lilly Belle" in our list is the only regularly operating "Lilly Belle" steam locomotive.
When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, the Walt Disney World Railroad featured 4 restored 36" gauge steam locomotives that were purchased by Roger Broggie and rebuilt for use at the Magic Kingdom Park.
Walt Disney World Railroad #2 the Lilly Belle, is a 2-6-0 "Mogul" steam locomotive that was built by Baldwin in 1928.
Walt Disney World Railroad.
Operating on the Walt Disney World Railroad at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
The final "Lilly Belle" in our list is the only regularly operating "Lilly Belle" steam locomotive.
When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, the Walt Disney World Railroad featured 4 restored 36" gauge steam locomotives that were purchased by Roger Broggie and rebuilt for use at the Magic Kingdom Park.
Walt Disney World Railroad #2 the Lilly Belle, is a 2-6-0 "Mogul" steam locomotive that was built by Baldwin in 1928.
Walt Disney World Railroad.
The Lilly Belle Steam Locomotive at the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Walt Disney World Railroad #2, the Lilly Belle Steam Locomotive at the Magic Kingdom.
