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![339/365 - 12/5/2011 [explored]](http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7146/6463458269_dbf6b2a3d1_m.jpg "<b>Bokeh Train</b>
Today is one of my idols' birthdays - if he were still alive, he'd be 110. This man had a love of trains much like myself and at one point even had a miniature one built for his home. I never did get to meet him because he died about 9 years before I was born, but his dreams and visions have certainly had a huge impact on my life. If you haven't figured out yet who I'm talking about - it's none other than Walter Elias Disney. This is my little photographic tribute to Walt on his birthday.
The steam trains may not be the most exciting attraction at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, but to Walt, they were one of his favorite. There are stories of him operating the trains and having so much fun with the whistle that the train ran out of steam! I can certainly relate, as when I was a Riverboat Captain on the Liberty Belle, I loved blowing the whistle. One of my favorite things was to "talk" with the trains if we happened to pass by the Indian camp at the same time. One long and two short toots on the whistle would then be followed by "shave and a haircut" and "two bits." Listen for it the next time you visit WDW...
So happy birthday Walt!")
![Walt Disney's](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/2514952081_6e5bc016ff_m.jpg "At Walt Disney's Barn, Carolwood Pacific Historical Society, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA, 5-18-08. The card next to it reads, "This vintage 1/8-scale live steam engine was purchased in 1951 by Walt Disney at Basset-Lake, the world-renowned model train store in London. Walt... took the engine apart to inspect salt water damage caused when the shop it was transported on encountered a heavy storm crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Walt intended to add the engine to the rolling stock of his Carolwood Pacific Railroad, but was too preoccupied with plans for Disneyland to restore it. The Carolwood Foundation has plans to rebuild it."")
![](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/761062080_54d5451e9b_m.jpg "Walt Disney pausing for a picture pose with CP #173, the Lilly Belle on the trestle over his wife Lillian's flowerbed. The Carolwood Pacific was his garden railway.
"Lilly Belle" garden steam locomotive CP #173, Carolwood Pacific Railroad, Walt Disney photograph, 50 Magical Years Exhibit, Opera House, Town Square, Main Street, Disneyland®, Anaheim, California, 2007.01.30 13:37, dsc00162")
