The Pacific Coast Railroad in Santa Margarita, CA, (just north of San Luis Obispo) recently accepted delivery of the fully-restored ex-Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad coach #105 "Painted Desert." Built at Disney's Burbank Studios in 1954-55, the coach is one of four from the original "Retlaw One" consist used from Disneyland's opening in July, 1955 until its retirement following the end of AT&SF's sponsorship of the railroad in 1974. P.C.R.R. owner Rob Rossi acquired the coaches from the Bill Norred estate in 1999. The Norred family retains ownership of the combine, and the observation car from the set became the VIP car "Lilly Belle," which is still in service at Disneyland.
This exquisite job was done by Sean Bautista and crew at the Hillcrest Shops in Reedley, CA, who also restored the Porter 0-4-0 "Marie E." and trainset for Disney/Pixar's John Lasseter. The coach returned just in time to debut at the railroad's annual "Round-Up," an annual public benefit held to benefit the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum. While the railroad remains a private venture, the P.C.R.R. operates throughout the year for various events, groups and other charters under the supervision CMO Phil Reader and crew.
As time and money permit, it is hoped the remaining three coaches will be cycled through Reedley for the full treatment as well.
For more information on the P.C.R.R, see the crew blog at http://pcrailroad.blogspot.com (and recent photos here)
