Purchase From Plantation to Theme Park


Destined for a life of toil in the Louisiana sugar cane fields, a real-life "Little Engine That Could" now delights guests at Walt Disney's Original Magic Kingdom. Introducing a new book by Steve DeGaetano, the author of Welcome Aboard the Disneyland Railroad! From Plantation To Theme Park The Story of Disneyland Railroad Engine No. 5 The Ward Kimball In June 2005, Disneyland guests were treated to something not seen at the park in more than 40 years - a new steam locomotive, resplendent in red enamel and polished brass, began operating on the Park's main line to the delight of Disneyland Railroad fans everywhere. The new locomotive, christened Ward Kimball after the famous Disney animator and rail fan may have been new to Disneyland, but its history spans more than a century. In his new book, Steve takes us along on a touching ride through time as he recounts the history of the little 1902 Baldwin first known as Maud L. That tiny plantation teakettle eventually became Disneyland Railroad No. 5, the first new Disneyland Railroad engine added to the fleet since 1959. Here are some of the things you will find inside this engaging 112-page hardcover volume: Foreword by Ward's son John Kimball; A detailed examination of how the engine was purchased by the Laurel Valley Plantation in 1902 from the Baldwin Locomotive Works, including reproductions of seldom-seen correspondence between the plantation owners and Baldwin documenting the purchase; A full-color rendition of the Maud L. as she likely looked in 1902, using the actual Baldwin color and striping specifications for the engine; A brief look at the engine's namesake - Ward Kimball - and his influence upon Walt Disney and Disneyland; A look at Disneyland's first four engines, including previously unpublished vintage color photos of each; A discussion of how the Maud L. was saved from the scrapper's torch, and then restored by Ohio amusement park giant Cedar Point before coming to Disneyland through a series of trades; Blueprint-accurate drawings by Preston Nirattisai of the engine as it looks today, including side, front and rear views; An in-depth look at how the locomotive was restored by Disney and its contractors, including dozens of detailed photographs of the rebuild process; An exciting account of the first time the engine was steamed up in the Disneyland roundhouse; First-hand accounts and rare photos of the private first dedication run of the engine; Photos and text describing John Kimball's official dedication of the engine that bears his father's name during an invitation-only event; Loads of technical details, written in the easy-to-understand style that Steve is known for. Publication will be limited to an edition size of only 2,000 books worldwide, and is now available. Click here if you are not automatically redirected to the Ward Kimball order page.

Destined for a life of toil in the Louisiana sugar cane fields, a real-life "Little Engine That Could" now delights guests at Walt Disney's Original Magic Kingdom.

Introducing a new book by Steve DeGaetano, the author of Welcome Aboard the Disneyland Railroad!

From Plantation To Theme Park
The Story of Disneyland Railroad Engine No. 5
The Ward Kimball

In June 2005, Disneyland guests were treated to something not seen at the park in more than 40 years - a new steam locomotive, resplendent in red enamel and polished brass, began operating on the Park's main line to the delight of Disneyland Railroad fans everywhere.

The new locomotive, christened Ward Kimball after the famous Disney animator and rail fan may have been new to Disneyland, but its history spans more than a century. In his new book, Steve takes us along on a touching ride through time as he recounts the history of the little 1902 Baldwin first known as Maud L. That tiny plantation teakettle eventually became Disneyland Railroad No. 5, the first new Disneyland Railroad engine added to the fleet since 1959.

Here are some of the things you will find inside this engaging 112-page hardcover volume:

Foreword by Ward's son John Kimball;
A detailed examination of how the engine was purchased by the Laurel Valley Plantation in 1902 from the Baldwin Locomotive Works, including reproductions of seldom-seen correspondence between the plantation owners and Baldwin documenting the purchase;
A full-color rendition of the Maud L. as she likely looked in 1902, using the actual Baldwin color and striping specifications for the engine;
A brief look at the engine's namesake - Ward Kimball - and his influence upon Walt Disney and Disneyland;
A look at Disneyland's first four engines, including previously unpublished vintage color photos of each;
A discussion of how the Maud L. was saved from the scrapper's torch, and then restored by Ohio amusement park giant Cedar Point before coming to Disneyland through a series of trades;
Blueprint-accurate drawings by Preston Nirattisai of the engine as it looks today, including side, front and rear views;
An in-depth look at how the locomotive was restored by Disney and its contractors, including dozens of detailed photographs of the rebuild process;
An exciting account of the first time the engine was steamed up in the Disneyland roundhouse;
First-hand accounts and rare photos of the private first dedication run of the engine;
Photos and text describing John Kimball's official dedication of the engine that bears his father's name during an invitation-only event;
Loads of technical details, written in the easy-to-understand style that Steve is known for.

Publication will be limited to an edition size of only 2,000 books worldwide, and is now available.

Click here if you are not automatically redirected to the Ward Kimball order page.