When the subject of railroads and Walt Disney is discussed, one name that frequently makes its own way into the conversation is that of animator, musician and all around genius, Ward Kimball. For it was Ward who invited the boss out to the family orange plantation in the wilds of the San Gabriel orange groves, for a railroad event to end all railroad events. To the steam-up of his very own full-size steam locomotive. Not exactly something everyone keeps in the backyard…
The Grizzly Flats Railroad locomotive 2 “Emma Nevada”, “Coach 5” and caboose at the home of Ward & Betty Kimball in San Gabriel, California. June 16, 1946. Image from Wikipedia.
Credit should also go to Ward’s wife Betty, who not only allowed Ward to have this and other big toys, but participated in many of the activities on the Grizzly Flats Railroad. So for the record, don’t just say Ward; say Ward and Betty or Betty and Ward, if you like.
Now it may be a bit more common place for folks to own their own steam locomotives or private railroad cars today. But back in Thirties, this was rare, even for the extremely rich and the extremely eccentric of individuals. A few gentlemen of means in the United Kingdom may have had small private railways about the estate, but in the United States few people actually could make that claim.
Ward and Betty started their railroad project innocently enough. The story is told how in 1937 Ward was planning to house a growing collection of toy trains. Instead of a building, he and Betty settled on using a railroad passenger car. But not a full-sized one. This was from the Southern Pacific’s 3-foot narrow gauge line out in the Owens River valley, recently retired. And it had a pedigree, having been built as a first class coach for the Carson and Colorado Railroad in 1881. It would be just the right thing!
Depending on who tells the tale, it may have started as a joke, but the suggestion was made that since Ward had a coach, all he needed was a steam locomotive have his own train. Ward and Betty got pointed in the direction of Battle Mountain, Nevada. Where the Nevada Central Railroad was being taken up for scrap after the line had ended service in 1938. Tucked away in a barn there was just the thing they needed. An 1881 Baldwin coal burning steam locomotive and at the right price, too! Only 400 dollars.
The Nevada Central #2 out on the line between Battle Mountain and Austin, Nevada. Painting by John Coker.
They arranged to have the Southern Pacific ship the locomotive from Battle Mountain to Los Angeles. Where at the railroads Taylor Shops, some minor work was performed on the locomotive before it was trucked out to its new home in San Gabriel. There Ward, Betty and others took up the challenge and gave it a good make over. Complete with a a classic paint scheme of vermilion and olive, and a new name, “Emma Nevada” (in honor of a Nevada opera star of the Silver Boom era), the locomotive was all set. Restoration efforts brought a successful first steam-up on May 22, 1943.
Long story short, many people enjoyed visiting the “Scenic Wonder of the West” as the Grizzly Flats became known. In 1992, Ward and Betty donated their full-size railroad collection to the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, California. And they underwrote the construction of the Grizzly Flats Barn to house the collection. With the “Emma Nevada” as the centerpiece of the collection, it has been a favorite of many museum visitors ever since.
Today, a dedicated group of Museum volunteers has adopted the 3-foot Gauge and are at work on a number of projects including expansion of the 3 foot gauge railroad and various pieces of equipment that has been collected. High on the project list however, has always been locomotive #2. Work began with the tender for the locomotive and now is moving to the running gear of the locomotive.
While the “Emma Nevada” may be similar in size to some popular motorhomes of today, it isn’t quite so simple when it comes to working on it. You can’t just run down to the local parts store and ask for something for your 1881 Baldwin. It takes a bit if planning to get ready for the project of the day and be all set to tackle the challenge at hand.
The volunteers at OERM working on this project and others are always looking for more help. There are projects for all kinds of talents, ready and waiting. Some come out to the Museum, see the elephant (so to speak) and lend a hand.
You can also support these efforts financially. Donations to the Emma Nevada project (Fund C 57) or any of the other 3-foot gauge projects are OERM welcomed. A variety of “thank you ” gifts are being planned as well as some interesting fund raisers later this year.
In particular, a special excursion from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo and return is now planned for Saturday, October 15th. With special guests aboard, plenty of Emma Nevada, Grizzly Flats and related items available in a silent auction, there will be something for every dedicated fan. We will be riding aboard the dome dining car “Silver Splendor” as enjoyed on some previous themed excursions. Enjoy a continental breakfast on departure from Los Angeles, lunch in San Luis Obispo and dinner as we depart Santa Barbara. Learn from the “Emma” project team the latest accomplishments and their next steps ahead. Full details will be announced shortly and this looks to be a popular trip which may sell out quickly!
Look for more details soon on the new Friends of the Emma Nevada Facebook page! It is turning out that 2016 is going to be a big year for “Emma” and we hope you can join in the fun as she comes back to life at OERM.
And if you would like to learn more about other narrow gauge Baldwin steam locomotive survivors, be sure to check out this post over at Roger’s blog – the Blue Parrot!
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