In 2006, at the National Fantasy Fan Club convention (known as NFFC until 2009, when they changed their name to the ‘Disneyana Fan Club’,) Tim LaGaly gave this presentation of the work he and his crew did to restore the long-neglected Disneyland Lilly Belle VIP coach.
Car #106 ‘Grand Canyon’ was originally part of the Retlaw1 consist that guests rode around the Park on the Disneyland Railroad. In early 1974 the consist was retired from the line, but #106 was soon reimagined as ‘private railcar’ to be used for VIPs. By mid-1974 the coach began its transformation into the “Lilly Belle” VIP car. It was in operation for several decades and had minor and major renovations, until the late 1990s when it was again pulled off the line for rehab – but it didn’t return.
As time went on and the car sat in the back of the roundhouse, it deteriorated further with dry-rot and age. It could have been lost to time – but thankfully a new Disneyland President, Matt Ouimet, understood the importance of the Walt Disney and the Disneyland Railroad, and committed to returning the Lilly Belle to its former glory. Tim LaGaly was pressed into service and did a beautiful job restoring the car. On February 15, 2006 the renewed Lilly Belle VIP car (and the new Ward Kimball #5 locomotive) was dedicated and returned to the line on the Disneyland Railroad.
