The Mine Train is missing from Disneyland

Steve DeGaetano · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 7:35 am

S. Towler wrote:

The story I heard about that bell on the cart was that it a collector spotted it and contacted Disney about, it they sold him the bell.

Downs Prior was that collector. He had the bell restored, and it was displayed with other items from his collection at the Sacramento Railroad Museum many years ago (someone's avatar here shows it)
EDIT: Ah, here it is:

.

When he sold off his collection, the bell went to someone else (not sure who).

S. Towler · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 9:36 am

Ah, there it is!

I can confirm that story with your old post:

Steve DeGaetano wrote:

Well, from what I understand, the engine pictured is, sadly, the last one in existence! At least two of the locomotive's bells are in the hands of collectors, though. One collector got his because an outside Disney contractor spotted it on an ODV (outdoor vending) cart, cleverly weathered and rusted to fit in with the rutic ODV theme. He was able to convince Disney to give him the bell partially in trade for his services, and he then gave it to the collector. The collector had it cleaned and polished, and let me tell you, it is a magnificent specimen!

If anyone saw the Disney train exhibit a couple years ago at the Sacramento Railroad Museum, you got a chance to see the bell.

http://burnsland.com/disneyrailroads/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39

Pullman · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 9:54 am

More Mine Train goodies...

http://gorillasdontblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/mine-train-thru-natures-wonderland.html

Steve DeGaetano · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 10:10 am

How cool would it be to have a headlight? And there, on the sand dome, is the ubiquitous Disneland train Eagle...

I wonder how many elements of the locomotives still exist, besides a couple bells and at least one number plate?

S. Towler · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 10:19 am

I think James Keeline said he had one of the number plates.

CP173 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 18, 2004 2:06 am **Posts:** 1648

Steve DeGaetano wrote:

Downs Prior was that collector. He had the bell restored, and it was displayed with other items from his collection at the Sacramento Railroad Museum many years ago (someone's avatar here shows it).

Wow, how embarrassing: I planned that exhibit. I totally forgot it was Downs that got the bell and that it was on display at the CSRRM.

I hate getting old.

I suppose it could have been worse. I bought a lot of Down's collection, and it would have been very embarrassing if I forgot that I actually owned the bell!

Steve DeGaetano · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 11:29 am

There was a pretty big collector in SoCal named Scott Rummel who I'm guessing got the bell. He bought a lot of Downs' higher-end items (I didn't have the dough for anything of NWRR bell-calibre, but I was able to get my SF&D hat, station agent and brakeman's badges through a complicated three-way trade with another railroadiana collector in SoCal).

Downs' collection was pretty massive.

Brian · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 2:22 pm

Sam figure out what land fill and I am in on some dumpster diving. Hmm its been a number of years I think well will need a few dump trucks and tractors. :lol:

I love working with heavey equipment.

wdbarbe · **Posted:** Sat May 15, 2010 12:11 pm

Speaking of bells, if it were possible to get an exact replica of the bell from the Knott's Berry Farm mine train, would there be any interest? It wouldn't be cheap, probably several hundred, but it might be possible.

Just seeing if there is enough interest to look into it.
Bill

Steve DeGaetano · **Posted:** Sat May 15, 2010 3:58 pm

I might be interested. I bet you're looking at $500 or more, though.

The Mine Train is missing from Disneyland

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