Model Engine Ernest S. Marsh Set For Release At Disneyland

First Garden Gauge Disneyland Locomotive

Model Engine Ernest S. Marsh Set For Release At Disneyland

On July 27, 2002, an electric-powered model of the Ernest S. Marsh vintage steam locomotive will be introduced at the Disneyana Shop on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland (R) Park. It represents the first time a Disneyland (R) steam locomotive will be available as a scale model in Gauge 1 (garden gauge), according to Michael Broggie, Disney railroad historian and author of Walt Disney’s Railroad Story. Among the fastest growing hobbies, garden railroading combines the popular pastimes of gardening and model railroading into one family activity.

Constructed of brass, steel and precision cast styrene, the Ernest S. Marsh engine and tender represent the first in a series of Disney park engines, passenger cars and train stations. It is made in LaPorte, Indiana, by Hartland Locomotive Works, the company that produced the first G-scale model of Walt’s Lilly Belle steam locomotive and his Carolwood Pacific freight cars.

Gardening has been the number one hobby for many years. Model railroading is among the most durable and popular pastimes beginning in the late 1800s. With the development of low voltage technology, it’s possible to run electric trains outdoors in all weather conditions.

“Walt Disney loved trains, which is why all Disney Magic Kingdom theme parks feature a steam railroad operation,” says Broggie. When Walt began planning his new vision for a family amusement park, he guided his Imagineers with the following directive: “I just want it to look like nothing else in the world, and it should be surrounded by a train.”

Background

Walt Disney was a pioneer in large-scale model railroading with an elaborate half-mile layout of track, trestles and tunnels running through the landscaping of his family’s five-acre property on Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills area west of Los Angeles. The Carolwood Pacific Railroad featured a 1:8 scale train with a precise live steam model of an 1872 locomotive, Central Pacific No. 173.

When it opened in 1955, Disneyland (R) Park’s entrance was crowned with a Victorian-style train station. Two gleaming brass and steel steam engines, one a 5:8 scale version of his backyard engine, hauled guests around the park’s perimeter aboard a passenger train and a freight train.

As attendance steadily grew, it concerned Walt that his railroad might not have enough capacity to maintain its position as the most visited attraction in Disneyland (R). He asked Roger Broggie, his first Imagineer, to find a vintage engine to haul a third trainset. In 1958, the Fred Gurley engine was introduced along with an open-air train.

That same year, Roger found another vintage Baldwin after scouring the country for a fourth steam engine. It was being sold for scrap by a small amusement park in New Jersey. A quick inspection trip confirmed the engine was worth acquiring and it was  soon shipped to the Studio’s Machine Shop in Burbank. Under Roger’s direction, Ward Kimball and Bob Gurr collaborated on the design while Arnold Lindberg and his crew of machinists began extensive restoration that included replacement of most components of the superstructure. Ward suggested the new design be patterned after the Montezuma, the famed No. 1 engine on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Walt approved the design and instructed Roger to spare no expense to create a first class locomotive. The original 0-4-0-tank type engine was converted into a 2-4-0 configuration with a tender. Painted bright red with a lot of shiny brass, the little engine was transformed from an Ugly Duckling into a major star on Disneyland rails.

It was a warm day back on July 25, 1959. The first rollout of the Ernest S. Marsh had Walt on the throttle as Chief Engineer-a title he coveted. It was a proud day for several reasons. Disneyland (R) was just beginning its fourth year of operations. Walt had seen his ambitious project succeed beyond all estimates. The attendance was increasing each year and the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad was carrying over 90 percent of guests visiting the world’s first themed amusement park. For the following four decades, with millions of passengers on board, No. 4 has continued to chuff through enchanted lands helping to keep alive Walt’s personal dream of his own steam railroad.

Walt, who became a lifelong railroad enthusiast during his boyhood in Marceline, Missouri, personally owned the Disneyland Railroad through his private company, Retlaw Enterprises. His favorite pastime was the role of chief engineer, operating his trains around the Magic Kingdom-without the guest passengers knowing the fellow in the cab wearing an engineer’s cap, red bandana and big smile was the creator of Mickey Mouse and Disneyland.

Facts About the Model

The craftsmanship is all American--built in LaPorte, Indiana. It is 1:24 scale or G-scale, known commonly as "garden gauge” running on 1-7/8th-inch trackage. It is weatherized to run on outdoor layouts or in the living room or den. The motor is supplied by TRW, and built to U.S. Government specs for use in military vehicles to drive small mechanisms. The wheels are steel, as is the frame. The brass fittings are solid brass, not plated. The precision styrene is UV stabilized to protect against sun fade. The paint colors were digitally scanned from the original paint samples. All detailed striping, decals, and the Ernest S. Marsh name on the cab, were scanned from original artwork. The model comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and is signed individually by Michael Broggie, founding chairman of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society.

Facts About the Man

Ernest S. Marsh was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1903. His family moved to Clovis, New Mexico, where he joined the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1918 as a ticket clerk. Through the years, Marsh progressed to the executive offices of the railroad as chief clerk. He was named vice president for finance in 1948 and became a member of the board in 1956. He succeeded Fred Gurley as chief executive officer in 1958 and served as chairman from 1959 to 1967. It was Marsh who agreed to the first five-year renewal sponsoring the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad. He and Walt were friends who shared their mutual interest in railroad preservation and history. Marsh died in 1975.

--Posted June 7, 2002
Source: Carolwood Pacific Historical Society