It’s a sad fact.

And an all together avoidable one.

Every day, people are killed by trespassing on railroad tracks.

As I write this today, several hours ago, a man in Ohio almost became one of those people.

All in an effort to capture an image. An image of the world’s largest steam locomotive, currently touring the nation as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations.

The very loud and distinctive steam whistle has been a signature of this adventure as it travels from coast to coast. It also serves as a warning to everyone trackside of the approaching train.

In this instance, the photographer chose to disregard that warning.

Luckily, the engineer, who is also the head of the Union Pacific Steam Program, had been expecting large crowds of non-railroad people along the route that the train is traveling. He was able to place the train brakes into an emergency application and bring the train safely to a full and complete stop.

What could have been a very graphic death in front of the large assembled crowd was prevented,

Yet, this story does not end with that.

Once the train had come to a full stop, he motioned to the photographer to come to the cab of the locomotive so he could speak further with him. He chose to severely admonish the photographer for his irresponsible behavior.

In a video of the incident, a response from the photographer was not audible.

The train continued on after the incident.

Regrettably, this type of incident has occurred on multiple occasions previously, with fatal and graphic results.

Each one completely avoidable.

I have many friends and acquaintances who have chosen professional careers where they were placed in situations – all completely avoidable – which resulted in a loss of human life. Regrettably, those who chose a railroad career are far too often placed in a situation upon which they have little or no control to prevent injury or loss of life. And they can carry the memories of such incidents for years afterwards. Some may do so for the rest of their lives.

All because someone chose to be in the wrong place – on the railroad tracks. Be it on foot, in a vehicle or otherwise, you do not belong on the tracks. Especially as a train is approaching.

Cross safely if you must, but as you would respecting a road crossing or intersection. The train always has the right of way. It cannot turn to avoid a collision nor can it stop immediately.

You can.

The railroads have a saying. One written, sadly, in blood.

Safety First.

It applies to everyone all the time.

For more information, please visit the Operation Lifesaver web pages. This is a national organization promoting safety around railroads, especially at crossings.

Note: This first appeared here on May 27, 2011.

Way back when, the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad operated two trains around the Magic Kingdom. The first was the six-car passenger train, also known as Retlaw One. It’s canary yellow and brunswick green colors were reminiscent of the passenger cars of the famed Virginia & Truckee Railway. 

The second train was the freight train. A mixture of open gondolas and cattle cars, with the classic cupola caboose bringing up the rear. It was painted the traditional color of boxcar brown. It’s spartan accommodations for riders didn’t last long before modifications were made. Most notable was the removal of a number of slats from one side of the cattle cars to offer a better view of the Park.

To begin, both trains required different tickets. The one above is the stub for the freight train, boarded by passengers at the Frontierland station. A passing track here allowed the passenger train to bypass the station. The same was true at the Main Street Station where another passing track allowed the freight train to bypass that station. That operation as well lasted only a short while as did separate tickets for the two trains. Eventually all trains made all stops becoming the transportation system that carries passengers around the park by the thousands every day.

While the passenger train went on to retirement, the freight train carries on, making the same trip it did on Opening Day, Monday, July 18th, 1955. And you can still enjoy a ride in the caboose, too. Just ask the conductor, if folks are not already seated aboard. As for cattle… well, you may find a Mouse or two aboard, maybe a duck, too. I don’t think you’ll mind the company.

With the recent flap over the copycat theme park in China, Disney certainly has its corporate hands full when it comes to trademarks.

Note: This column first appeared here on May 21st, 2007.

Along those lines, I thought that you might find this Cast Member brochure on the subject of interest:

Now, let’s be careful out there.

Note: This first appeared here on July 30, 2010.

Now, where was I?

Some days, there just is not a whole lot to write.

And that is why on occasion, you will not find an update or new column here.

Today could have been like that. Not that there is nothing to share. It is more of at this time of the morning, a story line is a bit elusive. No coffee yet…

Instead, a few random images from out and about. See if you can guess where I was. Some are easy, others a bit harder to guess. Enjoy!

Walt’s Barn, now part of the displays at the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum.

The adventures of Sunday happened to coincide with Father’s Day for 2026.

And starting the day with a connection to Walt Disney seemed just the thing. A short drive to Griffith Park found us at the home of the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum. Seeing how Walt was such a pioneer influence on the miniature railroad hobby, having the barn from his Carolwood Pacific Railroad located here is very appropriate.

While the barn was inspired by Walt’s childhood time in Marceline, Missouri, it was something of a sanctuary at the family home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood. It offered a place where he could tinker on the equipment of the railroad as well as something of a showplace to demonstrate the operations to visitors. Visitors who ran the gamut from other hobbyists to artists including Salvador Dali to actors such as Kirk Douglas. Even family members such as son-in law, Ron Miller were known to have taken a spin at the throttle of the Lilly Belle locomotive for a trip through the Yensid Valley through the backyard.

After Lillian passed away, the home was sold, arrangements were made to preserve the barn. It was carefully disassembled and moved for display at its current location with the support of the Walt Disney Family Foundation, and the creation of the Carolwood Foundation, insuring ongoing care.

Diane Disney Miller, with the caboose of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Today it’s on display with much of the original train from the railroad, including the Lilly Belle steam locomotive, in Gallery Nine at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

Today the barn houses a great collection of items that tell much of the story of Walt’s railroad story. Another part of that story is also on display here, in the presence of the combination baggage car and coach car from 1955’s Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad. Said to be Walt’s favorite car, it harkened back to a summer job Walt once had selling snacks and souvenirs aboard trains of the Santa Fe.

The Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad combine car, displayed next to Walt’s Barn.

Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad combine 101 in service at the Santa Margarita Ranch for a special reunion event with its coaches in 2011. Photo by Steve Hinkle.

Also a railroad hobbyist at the Disney Studio was animator Ollie Johnston. He not only had a full-sized narrow gauge steam railroad, but also had his own backyard railroad. The restored station from that railroad is displayed next to the combine car.

The restored station of Ollie Johnston’s Flintridge and La Canada.

It turned out to be a wonderful afternoon with plenty of folks we had not seen in a while including all of the Walt’s Barn volunteers as well as Disney Legend Bob Gurr! Not to mention a visit from Toy Story’s Pizza Planet Truck.

With things winding down, we headed off to a late lunch at another classic dining spot with an animation history. Burbank’s Coral Cafe. Sharp-eyed viewers of the documentary film, “Floyd Norman: An Animated Life” will recall this as a regular meeting spot for folks from the industry. A cast of real characters, if you will! Leo and I were joined by good friends Michelle and Noe Valladolid for a hearty meal.

All in all, a great second day of our week long adventures!