Meet the Steam Engines of the Disneyland Railroad: C.K. Holliday

Erin Glover

by , Director, Publicity, Walt Disney Animation Studios

“C.K.

One of the most relaxing, nostalgic experiences you can have at Disneyland park is riding the Disneyland Railroad. Ask anyone, and they will tell you about someone in their family (likely themselves) who insists on riding the railroad on each visit.

Each steam engine on this historic line has its own personality and story. Originally called the Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad, the first two locomotives were named for pioneers of the Santa Fe Railroad. Let’s start off by meeting Engine No. 1, the C.K. Holliday.
“C.K.

The C.K. Holliday was named for Cyrus Kurtz Holliday, founder of the Atchison & Topeka Railroad (later the Santa Fe Railroad, established in 1859). The locomotive was built by WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering) in Burbank, Calif., from a design inspired by Walt Disney’s model train engine, the Lilly Belle – centerpiece of his backyard railroad, the Carolwood Pacific. It joined the Disneyland Railroad on opening day, July 17, 1955.

Here are some specs for C.K. Holliday:

  • Stack Design: Diamond
  • Scale: 5/8
  • Track Gauge: 36″
  • Wheel arrangement: 4-4-0 American
  • Weight: 23,200 lbs

Check back as we feature the rest of the Disneyland Railroad steam engines here on the Disney Parks Blog.

Comments

  • Fantastic! Can’t wait to show my train-crazy 6-year-old this post.

  • You forgot to mention what has to be the best part of the CK Holiday: Tender seat rides! I’ve probably done three or four tender seat rides the past two years and it never gets old!

  • The train has always been one of my favorites. I can ride it for hours! Someday I hope I get to see inside and ride in the Lilly Belle. I have asked every visit since I started going to Disneyland, but I am still hopeful!!

  • The C.K. Holliday is so beautiful. Can’t wait for the next Steam Engine Blog.

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