All Aboard: The Wonderful World of Disney Trains

by Dana Amendola

It's usually said that it was "all started by a mouse" but did you know that iconic mouse was invented while on a train ride? Since its inception, The Walt Disney Company has often ridden the rails to tell its stories, whether in a theme park, live-action movie, or animated film.

All Aboard explores the wide variety of trains in Disney's history, accompanied by rare photographs from the Disney Archives and heretofore unseen conceptual artwork behind the trains in the movies and theme parks. Never before has such a comprehensive focus been exclusively trained on this fascinating topic. Fans of Disney history, rail history, and armchair travelers alike will be captivated by this museum-quality book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Trains

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Nathan Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading this book I was made aware of something that I had not noticed or thought of before but which in retrospect seems obvious, and that is the importance of trains to Disney.  I must admit, speaking personally, that while I am by no means hostile to trains that I cannot really be called a huge fan of them.  I will ride them so long as they are an inexpensive travel offering but they are by no means fast (at least in the United States) and I am by no means romantic about train travel in the way that Disney is.  And I'm okay with that.  This book was certainly very informative in discussing the vital importance of trains to the Disney culture in a variety of ways, and that is something worth knowing about, but this book will likely be even more enjoyable for readers who are bigger fans of either trains or Disney than I am.  If you want detailed information about trains and how they relate to Disney's operations on the broadest scale on several levels, this book does a great job at showing just how important trains were to Walt Disney and the company that he made.

This book is about 200 pages long and is divided into six chapters.  The foreword by John Lasseter and introduction show that the love of trains is deeply related to Disney culture and those who help to share it with the larger society.  After that the author spends some time about Walt Disney's time on the railroad and how it shaped his view of the importance of networking with important people (1).  This leads to a look at the birth of Mickey Mouse and the importance of the train to the Disney ethos from the very beginning of Walt's animation work (2).  The next and largest section shows trains in Disney films, and demonstrates that trains were so important to a wide variety of Disney works and Pixar films including such classics as Victory Through Air Power and the Aristocats as well as more forgotten films like Planes and even flops like the live-action version of The Lone Ranger (3).  After that the author talks about the passion for trains that was shared by four important Disney figures (4), the not-so-hidden secrets of Disney trains, including the trains used in the various Disney parks (5), and a very brief discussion of trains in the American vernacular (6).  After that the book ends with an index and acknowledgements.

What is it that made Walt Disney and so many of the people who succeeded him at his company so passionate about trains?  I must admit that I am by no means romantic about trains, but a large part of that is because trains are so narrow and constricting in their infrastructure.  One can fly anywhere there is open air, can walk anywhere there is ground one can pass over, can ride a horse or donkey over the same, or swim anywhere there is water, or travel in a boat anywhere the depth of the water is sufficient for the boat one is on.  But one can only go by train where rails have been built, and railways have always been a sort of infrastructure that has most often benefited corrupt monopolies and oligopolies like Disney it must be admitted.  My own interest in freer and less constricting means of transportation means that trains are something I rarely appreciate given that they only rarely serve my own personal interests.  That does not make me hostile to trains, but it does mean that the appeal to trains for Disney is something that I can understand but do not share.

[Ene Sepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enamik teavad, et Disney maailm sai suuresti alguse Miki Hiirest. Aga kas teadsid, et Miki Hiir tuli Walti mõtetesse rongisõidu ajal? Ja et Walt Disney oli nii suur rongientusiast, et ehitas enda tagaaeda miniraudtee? Muidugi, abikaasa polnud sellest just kõige suuremas vaimustuses aga lillepeenarde alt kulgev tunnel oli ideaalseks kompromissiks. Ja ümber teemapargi kulgev raudtee oli Walti jaoks raudkindel idee.

Igal juhul, rongifännidele on see igati sobilikuks raamatuks. Pilk heidetakse peale kõikidele rongidele, mis on Disney filmidest läbi käinud, inimestele kes on seotud Disney maailmaga ning on samamoodi olnud rongientusiastid ja palju muud. Ning kui oled külastanud Disneylandi või Disney Worldi ning sõitnud kasvõi ühe rongiga, on raamatus huvitavat taustainfot. Me käisime Disneylandis pulmareisil ja vaatasin piltidelt järgi, et sõitsime rongiga, mida vedas Ward Kimballi nimeline auruvedur. See konkreetne vedur ehitati 1902. aastal Philadelphias, siis töötas pikalt Louisianas suhkrurookasvanduses, jõudis otsaga Michigani lõbustusparki ja lõpuks 2005. aastal Californiasse Disneylandi.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must have for Disney fans, and those who love trains. This book gives it's readers a look into the history of Disney's trains with it's mixed of never before seen pictures, artwork, and photos. It's like looking through a Disney vault into the history of it's park trains from the past and the present. Definitely worth picking up.

[Christopher Churilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the history and details of Disney trains and railroads! I like that it covers almost every Disney train and railroad out there, from international parks, to privately owned trains! The only downside is a handful of grammar and spelling mistakes, and that the Roy O. Disney locomotive is indeed a 4-4-0, not a 2-4-2. It’s still an excellent read though!!!

[Peter J Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at the history of trains and Walt Disney & the parks he inspired.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but leaving out the monorail, Peoplemover, and the Fort Wilderness Railroad seems like a missed opportunity.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book is fun and informative without being dull. It takes the reader into the amazing world of Disney & trains. The author shares the early connection between Walt Disney and trains, moves on to the story of Mickey Mouse and trains that have appeared in Disney films. The closing chapters delve into the history behind the trains in the Disney parks - providing detailed information about each one. Included are vivid, full-color photographs as well as historic photos of Walt Disney and his trains. Train or Disney enthusiasts would be drawn to this title, but even novices would enjoy the journey. The clear text would be appropriate for upper elementary aged students through adult readers. I highly recommend this title for purchase by public libraries and as an additional purchase for school libraries.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone a fan of Disney movies, Disney parks, and trains will greatly enjoy this book. It has many wonderful stories about the Disney trains and where they got their start. I may have shed a tear or two reading the story of Ollie Johnston and John Lasseter. There are many great photos and details about each Disney train from Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Toyko Disneyland.

[Jen Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love trains and the Disney trains are super!!!! I really enjoyed reading all the stories of each train, particularly Ollie Johnston's Marie E. I would have liked to have a detailed tour of the Disneyland roundhouse though.

[Tom Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Some great pictures of the Disney Trains.

[Darlis]

Nice art work and I enjoyed the pictures of the trains and the stories about them.