Model of Walt Disney's Backyard Railroad & Home Train Layout - The Lilly Belle

[@1973Washu]

This is a time capsule from a better and more wholesome time.

[@vettebecker1]

This is very cool, I wish the real thing was still there but unfortunately it’s not. Only thing missing with the model, is Walt driving the train!!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

This is a fantastic model! I've seen videos and pictures of his old railroad, but this helps to build the picture of what it was really like. Brilliant!

[@BobDiaz123]

I've seen blueprints of Walt's layout, but this is 1,000,000 times better.

[@eliotreader8220]

what beautiful pictures of Walt Disney and his little steam engine the Lily Belle. she must have magnificent running on the live steam model railway

[@justinratcliffe947]

I'm impressed. Not a single troll bashing Walt in this comment section

[@gray7863]

A great look back at Walts backyard train and his own words about how the layout and train were built. Fantastic attention to detail and seeing Salvador Dali riding on the train with Ward Kimball got me wondering how many more famous people Walt hosted over the years there.

[@themechbuilder6171]

2:34 the legend: the ball!

[@CBeard849]

Pretty cool model! Thanks for sharing.

[@dennissmith1031]

Words escape me, fantastic job

[@josephbonczyk3182]

Man, Walt Disney sure was rich and you could do anything you wanted to build that 1/8 railroad in your own backyard! What a layout and home Walt had. He was one lucky and rich son of a gun!

[@buddytaylor1048]

Walt was not always rich! There was a time when he couldn't afford the $1.50 to get his shoes out of the repair shop!

[@VestedUTuber]

Rich, and frugal as well. When he was buying land for Walt Disney World, he actually bought it under a pseudonym so that people didn't know it was him and wouldn't jack up the prices. As for his railroad, I wouldn't be surprised if Lilly Bell was the most expensive part of it - well, that or the tunnel under the driveway. 7.25in/7.5in gauge track is actually not that expensive. A length of aluminum rail is $1.65 per foot, and ties are about the same per tie. It adds up quickly for a project as big as the Carolwood Pacific, but with gradual construction over time (and cheaper motive power - an electric two-axle switcher is a far more affordable option) most people could build a basic loop and maybe a small switch yard in their back yard.

[@tomedgar4375]

I belong to a live steam club and I would not categorize anyone as rich. But rich is a relative term. Most sacrifice driving new cars and other things in life so that they can throw a few dollars at the hobby. Not everyone has or can afford an engine but they all chip in with a talent to make our railroad run to give free rides to the kids a couple times a month. The hobby tends to attract nice folks.

[@sbroggie]

This awesome. Beautiful!

[@70scustoms17]

It's the most beautiful thing I seen

[@johnl7443]

Is this fantastic model on display at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco? I have to see this in person! WOW!

[@edsteel6715]

Great video... Thanks for sharing!

[@dougharlow6037]

Absolutely beautiful. What a dream come true. Thanks

[@djmpvae27091978]

Cool railroad.

[@epicdriver4g]

Awesome, thnx

[@adamtain7627]

Cool!

[@VestedUTuber]

One correction on the description, the railroad itself was just called the Carolwood Pacific. Lilly Belle was the name of Walt's locomotive.

[@nathannatedog82]

Is their any vids of Walt talking and footage of his backyard railway to go with this soundtrack

[@csxrailfanbronyzachbecker2105]

So, let me get this straight. From late-October until December 24th, 1949, the Lilly Belle locomotive was built by the Walt Disney Company, am I correct?

[@zacharylucisbecker2352]

I guess it took three months to build the Lilly Belle locomotive in 1/8 scale

[@011ramblinjam]

It took 80 day using the extremely talented help of formally contracted Disney employees. I was the one that built the scenery.

[@zacharylucisbecker2352]

@@011ramblinjam I see so from late October to December 24, 1949 the locomotive was being custom built, correct?

[@ac124278]

What scale are the buildings and figures?

[@1981deloreanfan]

Hunter Ferguson I think it’s HO scale

[@historyboy08]

@@1981deloreanfan the train is, but the house and figures are g scale to make the train look "miniature" as its counterparts.

[@trainsbybob]

I feel like N scale in conjunction with G scale buildings and figures would’ve better represented the live steam railroad. Nonetheless this is awesome and I would love to see it in person.

[@buster5661]

4:40 is that what i think it is

[@thebrinksf69]

Where is audio taken from?