Image of the Month

I have always been a fan of Disney and Ward Kimball. Ward was one of Walt's "nine old men" and Walt himself said of Ward and only Ward was a genius. He transformed Mickey from the original mouse portrayed in 1928 Steam Boat Willy into the Mickey we all know and love. He also created Jiminy Cricket to name a few.

Ward and Walt

However, one of Ward's passions was railroads. As you know Walt Disney was quite a railroad fan as well and Ward is the one that rekindled that interest and this was one of the keys motivations that would later become a new concept called "Disneyland".
Ward had one of the worlds greatest train collections as well as he built a full sized railroad in his back yard! Ward called the Grizzly Flats RR, it consisted a station, fire station, water tower, windmill and even a engine house. He ran 2 steam locomotives and several narrow gauge rolling stock. I truly fascinating man.

Original photo of Wards Grizzly Flats RR and Engine House

When Ward passed away his wife Betty began to donate his railroad and in one of the most incredible toy train auctions in history, liquidate his collection.

Since this time, I have been collecting Wards railroad related items. In my search, I was absolutely fortunate in obtaining Ward's Grizzly Flats Engine house plans as seen here. They are fascinating in that they contain his notes and and how he wanted to have this built.
Dated from 1939 and 1940

These drawings will be proudly displayed in my train room.
I will continue to search the planet for items that were once owned by one of the most influential railroad hobbyist of the 20th century.

Ward, you are missed...