Tunnel, Cut & Trestle Railroad

offering free rides to anyone who wanted to climb aboard.

Tunnel, Cut & Trestle Railroad

This is our other railroad—7½-inch gauge, 1½-inch scale live steam—and it is where my lifelong love of trains truly began.

The original locomotive and railroad were built by my father and Walt Disney, and once circled our family home in Tarzana, California. Every Sunday, my father opened the railroad to the neighborhood, offering free rides to anyone who wanted to climb aboard. A full-size railroad bell —gifted by Bill Stulla of Engineer Bill TV fame—would be rung by Gordon and Janice, signaling to the neighborhood that it was time for train rides.

I spent those days riding on the tender behind my dad, hour after hour. That’s where my love of trains was born.

Property Changes hands

Dismantled locomotive

The property was sold in 1972, and again in the 1980s.

The property was sold in 1972, and again in the 1980s. Over time, the railroad fell into disrepair. Although there was an attempt to rebuild the locomotive, a series of unfortunate events led to it being dismantled instead.

Rebuilding

Rebuild and Restore

Restoration

Years later, I became close friends with the property’s current owners and began talking about bringing the railroad back to life. After searching for several years, I finally assembled the right team to rebuild both the locomotive and the track. Following years of careful restoration, the Tunnel, Cut & Trestle Railroad has been fully revived—today more spectacular than ever. The primary locomotive now resides in Reno, where it is displayed in my office. For special occasions, the train returns to Tarzana and also travels to select train parks across the western United States.

Roster

Savery’s Creperie

modeled after an old chalet in Wengen

The Roster

  • The original Pacific-class locomotive No. 4535, capable of operating on fuel oil or propane
  • Four original passenger cars and a caboose
  • A UP Yard Goat, engineer’s car, flat car, and caboose
  • Two modern diesel locomotives built by Ken Schroeder, with riding freight and support cars
  • Miss Nevada steeple cab locomotive with matching combine car and caboose

All equipment is transported using two large, custom-built trailers, allowing the railroad to travel and share its history with audiences throughout the region.

This railroad is more than machinery and steel—it is a living link to family, friendship, and the very beginning of my journey in railroading.