- 1896 Porter Steam Locomotive and Disney Cars
Benefit Gathering to take place at the Historic Santa Margarita Ranch on Saturday, April 14th
Railroad fans are invited to join the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum for an entertaining and nostalgic evening filled with Disney railroad magic, music, train rides and more! The SLORRM is hosting this special fundraising evening event on April 14th, 2012, at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, home of the Pacific Coast Railroad. The Benefit will take place from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Ranch in Santa Margarita. This community event will be limited to 260 attendees and will generate funds to complete the interior of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum which will be located in the old railroad Freight House in SLO’s Historic Railroad District.
The highlight of the evening will be a special presentation entitled “Disney’s Love of Trains.” President of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society and a friend of the SLORRM, Michael Campbell, will host a multimedia presentation about Walt Disney’s love of railroading. Trains played an important role in many aspects of Walt’s life and was one of his favorite hobbies. Learn about the miniature railroad that the Disney’s had at their Holmby Hills residence, the trains that operate on the Disneyland Railroad and more! Michael will also share behind-the-scenes stories and pictures from the creation of the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, and the “All Aboard!” exhibit currently appearing at the Disney Gallery in Disneyland. This presentation will take place in the Ranch’s historic Asistencia barn at 6:00pm.
- Walt Disney on his Train
Central Coast troubadour Don Lampson will sing railroad songs and relate railroad tales to open the festivities. Local wines from Ancient Peaks Winery, Caparone Winery and Salisbury Vineyards will be available for tasting and for sale. Central Coast Brewing will offer beer tasting and sales to compliment the ample hors d’oeuvres that will be served. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. Unlimited train rides will be available both before and after Campbell’s presentation on the historic former Santa Fe and Disneyland Railroad “Retlaw1″ passenger cars pulled by an 1897 Porter steam locomotive. These cars, built in the Disney Burbank Studios and operated at Disneyland from 1955 to the early 1970′s, are currently under restoration.
Tickets are now available for only $40.00 each (all ages) and can be purchased online at the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum’s web site: www.slorrm.com It is suggested that tickets are purchased in advance due to the limited supply. Proceeds from the evening’s activities will benefit the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum’s efforts to refurbish the interior of the museum building. Museum members have been working for well over a decade with SLO City employees to refurbish the new museum home in the historic Southern Pacific freight house which is just south of SLO’s Amtrak Station. Plans are being made for the museum to be open on a regular schedule by the middle of 2013. The interior of the Museum is nearing completion and members are planning to have it open with model railroads and artifacts during the Central Coast Railroad Festival on October 4-8, 2012. The Museum will soon be a community treasure and the organization needs broad support to achieve its goals and open the facility to the public in the near future.
- Michael Campbell
For more information on the SLORRM and all its current and future activies is available at www.slorrm.com or by leaving a message at 544-6531.
The Dixieland Jazz Band “Crustacea” would be an excellent addition to your larger or outdoor events. We play old-time music on original instruments that would mesh well with the railroad theme. Check out CRUSTYJAZZ for a photo of the band and examples of the music.