Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn

Walt Disney was an avid railroad enthusiast and trains played a big role in his life and career. In June 1949, Disney and his wife Lillian purchased a five-acre tract of land in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles to build a new home for his family, as well as a miniature train layout that went completely around the new home. Disney named his railroad the Carolwood Pacific (CPRR) in reference to the new home's street address: 355 North Carolwood Drive. When Disneyland opened in July 1955, one of the original attractions was a railroad that circumnavigated the park's perimeter, which still operates today. When the Disney family sold the Carolwood property in 1998 following the death of Lillian Disney the previous December, Diane Disney Miller, the Disneys' eldest daughter, requested that the barn be relocated. Diane and Disney historian Michael Broggie entered into an agreement with the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum to have the barn rebuilt on the LALSRM property in Griffith Park as a museum dedicated to Disney's love of trains and the impact trains had on his life and work. The barn received its largest expansion in 2010, when the Carolwood Foundation acquired the original Disneyland Railroad combine car from the family of railroad collector Bill Norred. The car was part of the Retlaw I passenger train that was utilized on the Disneyland Railroad by Engine No. 2 E.P. Ripley from 1955 to 1966. In 2019, an exhibit space opened up inside the combine pavilion. Funds are still being raised for a more permanent pavilion. A completion date has yet to be announced. Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn is operated by volunteers from the Carolwood Foundation, a non-profit organization, on behalf of the barn's owner, The Walt Disney Family Foundation. Its lack of an admission charge has given the barn the informal title of being "the only free Disney attraction in the world." == Museum layout ==

The barn operates independently of the rest of the Los Angeles Live Steamers complex and has its own entrance located on the eastern end of the property off of Zoo Drive. Visitor parking is free in an unpaved lot adjacent to the entrance. Once inside the gate, signs direct guests to the barn meadow and surrounding displays. Miniature train rides can be found at the LALSRM main entrance at the west end of the property. The centerpiece of the museum is the barn itself. Inside the barn are displays telling the story of Walt Disney's connection to trains through his life and his work—including photographs and original artifacts like an actual CPRR car. There are also displays dedicated to animators Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston, who were responsible for rejuvenating Disney's interest in model railroads in the late 1940s. Beyond the barn are the souvenir stand, steam plant (operated by LALSRM members), Ollie Johnston Depot, and combine car pavilion. The pavilion houses not just the combine car, but also an exhibit about the history of the Disneyland Railroad and other train-related attractions at the Disney theme parks. == Special guests ==

The barn hosts several special events and book signings throughout the year. Special guests have also appeared at the barn for events, including Disney Legends. Notable guests have included Bobby Burgess, Margaret Kerry, Floyd Norman, Tony Baxter, Rolly Crump, Harriet Burns, and Alice Davis. == References ==