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A photo tour of Walt Disney’s original Carolwood train barn
Walt Disney was a train fanatic. And the one place you can immerse yourself in his obsession is at the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, where you can come face to face with Walt Disney history and tour his special Carolwood Barn.
Ever since he was a child growing up in Missouri, Disney had a fascination with steam locomotives. His uncle was an engineer, and during one summer young Walt sold newspapers and food snacks on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.
In 1949, when Disney moved his family to 355 N. Carolwood Drive, his fascination overtook him.
He built a 1/8 scale track around the backyard of his house, carefully designing it so it would not interfere with his wife’s garden. (He built a 90-foot long tunnel under the flower bed.)
The half-mile long steam train was capable of carrying people and would often take his daughter’s and guests for a ride. He dubbed the line, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. He controlled the entire track from inside his Red Barn, where he also tinkered with other trains.
(Quick fact: His love of trains also inspired him to bring locomotives to Disneyland and Disney World. When Disneyland first opened the trains that were used were not owned by Disneyland or the Walt Disney Company. They were Walt’s personal property. He eventually sold them to Disneyland.)
When Disney’s home was eventually sold in 1998 and the barn about to be demolished, the Walt Disney Family Foundation and others purchased the barn and brought to Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California.
The barn, operated by The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society, is occasionally open to public the third Sunday of each month from 11 am to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Admission and parking are free. (But it never hurts to buy a pin or shirt, or even just donate.) Here’s how to get there and a phone number.
The docents are very well versed in all aspects of the collectibles inside the barn and Walt’s train history. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The barn itself is full of great history, including Walt’s tools and workbench, a reproduction of the Disneyland Railroad No. 1 “C.K. Holliday,” the track switch board which Walt used to control the trains on his proper, train and toy collections and a reproduction of the actual track around his Carolwood home.
Here’s a quick photo tour inside the barn:
