Walt Disney had a lifelong love of trains, and railroad themes were often featured as key elements in his sketches and animated shorts. A traveling exhibit, which recently completed a journey across the West, captures the history of Walt’s love of trains with a nod to life on the railroad in the early 20th century and introduces visitors to rare animation sketches and cells, historic photography and some of Walt’s personal train-related artifacts.

The gallery tells the story of a simpler time when Mickey and friends traveled by rail and Walt himself was building one-of-a-kind miniature railroads in his backyard for friends and family. Including photographs of Walt riding the “Lilly Belle” and Mickey rushing to catch a train in an early animation sketch from Mr. Mouse Takes A Trip, this unique art collection is comprised of nearly two dozen pieces. Selected pieces from the gallery can be viewed at www.facebook.com/disneyliving.

On October 21st, there was a private opening celebration with Mickey Mouse himself and local preschoolers at Travel Town Museum at Griffith Park, in Los Angeles, CA. Mickey unveiled the exhibit, and kids danced and play with Mickey, and with Disney’s latest train toys, including Mickey’s Magic Choo Choo from Disney and Fisher Price. A private viewing party showcased, for the first time, an upcoming train-themed primetime special, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express, which aired on Disney Channel Oct. 25. Mickey’s visit marked the end of the virtual train tour from Kansas City to Los Angeles.

You can view more videos from our train tour on our recently launched YouTube channel, Disney Living (www.youtube.com/disneyliving). Also featuring behind-the-scenes videos and many more entertaining videos from Disney Consumer Products.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Norma Rosenfield
Rosenfield PR for Disney Consumer Products
818-591-2264
norma@rosenfieldpr.com

CORPORATE CONTACT:
Aaron Hunt
Disney Consumer Products
818-544-0393
aaron.hunt@disney.com