Evolution of Disneyland’s Lilly Belle

The Lilly Belle that I am referring to is the Disneyland Railroad’s VIP Victorian Parlour Car. Originally, the passenger cars of the Disneyland Railroad looked like this and were referred to as RETLAW 1 (Walter spelled backwards):



Each passenger car had a name and a number, and made many a “Grand Circle Tour” around the park. Here is #103, known as the Colorado Rockies car:



In 1958, The Grand Canyon Diorama was added to a tunnel between the Tomorrowland and Main Street Train Stations. Unfortunately, those sitting in the passenger cars had a difficult time seeing the diorama as the cars faced forward, not sideways. Surely you can understand the frustration of guests who wouldn’t want to miss this stunning new attraction!





Naturally, Walt understood, and from 1966 on (when Primeval World was added to the 1958 Diorama), Retlaw 1 was retired except for when it rained (since they were enclosed). Virtually rotting away, they eventually left the hands of Disney (now in a private collection in San Luis Obispo)...with the exception of #106, The Grand Canyon.





Ken Kohler, superintendant of the Roundhouse, suggested that #106 be converted into a VIP car in time for the 1976 Bicentennial. Using the same type of plush Victorian decor that is in Walt’s apartment above the Town Square Fire Department, the Lilly Belle was converted into a jewel only to be ridden by special visitors.







The first guest to ride the newly built Lilly Belle coach on September 1st, 1976 was Japan’s Emperor Hirohito. For a time, Walt’s original caboose from his backyard Lilly Belle model railroad was on display inside this Bicentennial Parlour Car.



For poor slobs like us who weren’t allowed to ride the Lilly Belle, we could still have souvenir photos taken of us standing on a prop made to look like it:





Restored again for the 50th Anniversary, it is much easier for park guests to hitch a ride on the Lilly Belle without being a V.I.P. Just be sure to ask real nice, ya' hear? See more Lilly Belle photos at my website.