Walter E Disney Train of Fame

There have been several very knowledgeable and talented folks who have helped me to develop GrandpaLand. The O scale Train of Fame, with Overton passenger cars, displays their names in a place of honor as it circles the overhead track in the train shed. Current members who have been inducted onto this elite, very prestigious, venerable train include Phil Jensen (Hartland Locomotive Works), Stan Cedarleaf (Cedarleaf Custom Railroad Decals), Dennis Flores (extensive examples of his contributions are documented in the Disneyland Railroad blog), Gary and Scott Johnson (Johnson Valley and Twin Falls Railroad) and the two outstanding gentlemen I admire the most, Ted Gird (Econobridge) and Jim Kruger (BridgeMasters).  The train is powered by a MTH 4-6-0  locomotive modeled after the Walter E Disney 10-wheeler on the Walt Disney World Railroad. I can't think of another group of guys more deserving to be recognized on a train named after Walt Disney than these seven individuals.

 
Jim Kruger has repaired every train I have broken and installed decoders and sound systems in many of my locomotives. He installed ball bearing wheels on the RETLAW1 passenger cars to reduce drag and provide power to the interior lights and drumhead.  He helped me get the most enjoyment out of my elevated, single track layout through the use of the LGB MTS (Multi Train System).  This has prevented many collisions and derailments. I think he was just getting tired of seeing the same train cars and engines constantly coming into his shop for fixin'.  He is an avid REALLY GOOD beer drinker and many of his repairs are covered under "beer warranty"! Jim is the President of the Orange County Garden Railway Society and convinced me to join. He hosts the best Christmas open house display each year.

 
Ted Gird from Econobridge built and installed the overhead track in my house. Heck, when you look around, except for the shed, Helix and Eaglewings elevated track, Ted practically built all of GrandpaLand. He built and installed the overhead track in the train shed; he installed all the track shelves for locomotive storage in the train shed.  He built the caboose for beer train rolling stock storage.  He built passenger car storage slots on a garment cart AND built a nice display case for my Olde Frothingslosh Beer can collection. He built a scale model of  Walt's Barn. He wired all my structures so they would light up at night. Ted helped me with the wireless Massoth DCC system that enables multiple, more powerful diesel engines to run on a single track. But best of all, Ted is most famous for inventing the beer tap handle flatcar! Ted also has impeccable taste in REALLY GOOD beer. His latest endeavor (after he catches up to the backlog of waiting projects to be completed at GrandpaLand) is to build and install an overhead track at the Escape Craft Brewery, our favorite location every Wednesday to celebrate Stein Day!