CPRR,

The details are still being worked out and naturally we are going to work with LALS staff to plan this. However, I have three comments:

1. Who said anything about this being a yearly event? We have a commitment to take it to SLO one time. There are no plans to move it again after that. We consider the combine to be a valuable artifact and we respect LALS property and understand the disruption that moving the creates for the club. So, we don't like moving the combine any more than we have to. We would have preferred for it to go straight to SLO, but the timing didn't work out.

2. Yes, the grade needs to be factored in, but there are lots of experienced people that can help with this. We don't want to damage any LALS property or the car, so we will be extremely careful.

3. So... You don't think the car should move because some people like Walt Disney? That is a non-sequitur.

Recognizing, as CP173 did, that this argument is completely illogical, exactly how did you know the people watching the unloading were "Disney wacko-nuts" who spend too much time in their parents' cellars? My guess would be the people watching were probably moreso rail fans, if not Disneyland Railroad fans.

If they were DRR wacko-nuts, would that have been OK?

I think that maybe you should take a second and realize that there are people (fans) out there that *REALLY* appreciated the work that was done by yourself and others to move the combine to the park. Was it wrong in your opinion for them to show that in public?

Were you upset at them because of their actions when the work was done or were you upset at them just because they have a different interest level than your own?

If you're posting in this forum dedicated to Disney railroads, do you think it's wise to criticize others about their interest/obsession in Disney? It's just me but I 100% fully admit that I live in a glass house when it comes to my hobbies/obsessions so I never ever throw stones at others because of their interests, no matter how "off of center" they are.

If Michael says the combine will be moved, I believe the difficulties will be overcome and the car will be moved and then returned safely to its new home. Will it be easy?? NO WAY. But it is not impossible, and after all Walt always thought it was kind-a-fun doing the impossible.

An update on the event and some great news on additional steam at the Ranch:

Exciting news! The Carolwood Foundation 2011 Rail Trip on May 21 & 22 just got bigger and better! The centerpiece of the weekend is the reunion of the original Santa Fe & Disneyland combine coach with Retlaw 1 passenger coaches. We've just learned that the owners of two additional steam locomotives have graciously agreed to operate their engines at this historic event! The Ann Marie, a 0-4-0 Porter owned by Tom Gazsi and Gary Smith, as well as the Deanna, an 0-4-2 Baldwin owned by George Thagard, will steam up at the legendary Santa Margarita Ranch.

This is in addition to the presentations by Disney and Pixar luminaries during the trips to San Luis Obispo aboard the Silver Lariat and Silver Splendor, and the Saturday evening celebration of Disney storytelling. The combine hasn't been operated in over 35 years and there's no guarantee that we'll ever run it again. We hope you can join us for this remarkable celebration!

For those of you who have already registered, we changed our headquarters hotel to the Courtyard by Marriott. They've given us a better rate than the Embassy Suites and are ready to accept your reservations now: 805-786-4200. Please mention "Carolwood" when calling.

If you have not yet registered, there are still a few seats available on the Silver Lariat, leaving Oakland, CA. The Silver Splendor, out of Los Angeles, and the "drive yourself" options are sold out, but we'll gladly add your name to a wait list if you're interested. We've already been able to accommodate a few people on the wait list, so don't hesitate if you'd like to join us: Please contact us at railtrip@carolwood.org.

You're welcome to read more details about the trip on our web site at http://www.carolwood.org/event.html

As always, thank you for your support of Walt Disney's Railroad Legacy, and we hope to see you in May!

Good news indeed!

I always like the Deanna. Saw her in Sacramento in 1999.

Here are some photos of her:

http://www.pbase.com/spcrr/baldwin042

Nice Photos of the Deanna.

I wanted to get down to Ardenwood Historic Farm to see her but had to work. Ardenwood has a yearly rail fair and usually brings in a historic engine for the weekend.

Okay, what locomotive will be used to pull the Santa Fe and Disneyland cars, does anyone know??

Sadly not the Ripley. I guessing the Roger Linn?

Possibly one of the Harpur engines, which would be very appropriate. But I don't think the PCRR has decided yet.

There's also talk of a triple-header involving the guest engines. I don't know the logistics of working that out, but what a sight it would be!