Ollie Johnston's backyard RR

[2266money]

this guy i know bought the train from six flags houston and set it up in his back yard which is 20 acres and made a whole town back their.....

[djmatts1]

My respect for the man, I would have liked to have met him, So much history and this little bit has hooked me, RIP Sir

[atsfbnsf]

Many years ago, my grandfather, who was the Maytag Man for the La Cañada/Flintridge/Montrose/La Crescenta area was called out to the Johnston house to fix their washer. Being the railfan he is, he immediately noticed the miniature rails running around the house. As well, at the time, there were 3ft gauge rails coming out of his garage, upon which Ollie was restoring the Marie E. Was certainly not my grandfathers normal maintenance call.

[DannyBoy443]

Whats weird is, if you didn't know who he was, it was just be an old man riding a custom made train. It makes me wonder how much money he made animating for Disney back in the day. If he can afford land and building a train like that, I'm guessing he ended up being a millionaire. I wonder if he insured his drawing hand.

[Finnishlivesteam]

@DannyBoy443 Even I can afford a train around the summer cottage, so you don't need to be a millionaire... But I *am* an animator... ;-)

[DocMur100]

My mother told me that I used to play with Ollie's daughter Anna the the early '50s. We were both at the La Canada Elementary school. Mom said that I used to love riding on her dad's backyard train but darn, I had no memory of Anna or the train. This video brings it all back. Thanks!

[bohemianh]

thanks fantastic!

[CGiordano464]

you are very lucky to of been able to enjoy time with this man. wish he was still alive :(

[TYMMCHN]

The train is 1/12 scale, on 4 3/4 gauge track. the diesel is an Iron Pony. He was a pioneer in the hobby, and started with a Little Engines pacific. There was also a shay. Ollie got Walt Disney started in the hobby. Some of his scale structures have been donated tothe Los Angeles Live Steamers, in Griffith Park. You can also visit Walt's barn, cared for by the Carolwood Historical Society.

[MEponyfan]

Very interesting!

Ollie is one of my heroes in drawing ever and ever.

Ollie Johnston is such a good legend ever.

[arrowguy173]

Just discovered your site with Ollie & his 1/8 scale RR. Thank you for uploading the pics.....I'm an animator and railfan and hope to have my own RR like this someday. This is very cool to see!

[bensewell36]

It is a very nice video.A fitting tribute to a man who loved his hobby and pursued it to his hearts content.Go Ollie!

bensewell36

[tweetsie12190]

well at least he did what he liked

[seankombo]

I was lucky enough to go to Ollie's memorial service. He was an incredible animator and an even more incredible man! Thanks for the tears and smiles you have provided me. Alllllll aboard!

[PurplePath]

Rest In Peace, one of the legends. How you met Ollie, and have you meet other Disney animators? If theres videos about them, or more about Ollie, those would be nice to see :)

[Finnishlivesteam]

I met Ollie several times over he years. See my webpages for more...

[AODProds]

Looks like a Riding Railkits Inc. 1" scale, 4.75" gauge EMD GP9. Such a sad fate for such a great small scale railroad.

-Alex