Disneyland Railroad No. 2 E.P. Ripley
Overview
Disneyland Railroad No. 2 E.P. Ripley is an opening-day 4-4-0 American-type steam locomotive built specifically for Disneyland. Built in 1954–1955, it entered service on July 17, 1955.
Mechanically identical to No. 1 C.K. Holliday, No. 2 was given a turn-of-the-twentieth-century appearance, designed to resemble Baltimore & Ohio No. 774, with a straight smokestack, circular headlamp, and small cowcatcher. It is described as Walt Disney’s favorite Disneyland locomotive.
Quick Facts
| Railroad | Disneyland Railroad |
| Number | 2 |
| Name | E.P. Ripley |
| Wheel Arrangement | 4-4-0 American |
| Builder | Walt Disney Studios |
| Built | 1954–1955 |
| Entered Service | July 17, 1955 |
| Track Gauge | 3 feet |
| Original Owner | RETLAW Enterprises |
| Namesake | Edward Payson Ripley |
| Fuel | Oil; later converted to biodiesel |
| Major Restoration | 2021–2023 |
| Returned to Service | March 6, 2023 |
| Status | Operating |
Named for a Santa Fe President
The locomotive honors Edward Payson Ripley, a president of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. The name reinforced Disneyland’s opening-era partnership with the Santa Fe.
Purpose-Built for Disneyland
E.P. Ripley and C.K. Holliday were constructed specifically for Disneyland. Both are three-foot-gauge 4-4-0 American types, but their styling provides separate visual identities.
From the Carolwood Pacific to Disneyland
No. 2 forms part of the creative progression from Walt’s backyard Carolwood Pacific Railroad to Disneyland’s full-size railroad.
Opening-Day Operations
No. 2 was one of the two locomotives used when the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad opened on July 17, 1955.
Historical summaries disagree over whether E.P. Ripley was regularly assigned to the passenger or freight consist, and opening day was not the only day the trains ran, so an exclusive consist assignment should not be treated as settled fact. On opening day, No. 2 pulled Retlaw 1, the passenger train of six 1890s-style cars designed by Bob Gurr. On opening morning, Walt Disney drove No. 2 and its train into Main Street Station with California Governor Goodwin J. Knight and Santa Fe president Fred Gurley in the cab.
Photographs from Disneyland’s opening period show Walt riding the locomotive.
Walt Disney’s Favorite Locomotive
E.P. Ripley is described as Walt Disney’s favorite Disneyland engine. That association gives No. 2 an emotional importance beyond its mechanical role.
RETLAW Ownership
Like No. 1, E.P. Ripley was originally owned through RETLAW Enterprises, Walt Disney’s private company. It formed part of a transportation venture that Walt regarded as his own railroad.
An Opening-Day Survivor
No. 2 continues performing the same essential task for which it was built: carrying Disneyland guests behind steam power. Its survival has required decades of inspection, repair, rebuilding, and component renewal.
Earlier Rebuilding and Rededication
After more than four decades of service, No. 2 received major boiler and mechanical work during the late 1990s and was rededicated on March 27, 1999.
The 2021–2023 Restoration
After several years away from regular service, a full restoration began in summer 2021. Disney reported that the project replicated the original boiler, headlamp, and bell because those parts are no longer manufactured.
The locomotive returned to service on March 6, 2023.
Rebuilding a Living Machine
An operating steam locomotive cannot remain mechanically frozen in 1955. Boilers, bearings, piping, running gear, and appliances require repair or replacement. Those interventions allow No. 2’s historic function to continue.
Conversion to Biodiesel
The locomotive was converted to biodiesel in April 2007, with the rest of the fleet, allowing continued steam operation while adapting fuel use to modern environmental goals.
No. 2 and No. 1
E.P. Ripley and C.K. Holliday form a natural pair. Both were purpose-built for Disneyland, influenced by the Carolwood Pacific, owned through RETLAW, and placed in service on opening day.
Their styling distinguishes them: No. 1 carries a diamond smokestack and rectangular headlamp, while No. 2 has a straight smokestack and circular headlamp.
Why No. 2 Matters
E.P. Ripley represents Disneyland’s opening day, Walt Disney’s railroad enthusiasm, Santa Fe sponsorship, RETLAW ownership, purpose-built theme-park steam power, and long-term operating preservation.
Preservation Status
Disneyland Railroad No. 2 E.P. Ripley remains operational at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Following its extensive restoration, it returned to service on March 6, 2023.
Related Railroads
- Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
- Carolwood Pacific Railroad
- Disneyland Railroad
Related Equipment
Related Topics
- 4-4-0 American
- Narrow-Gauge Railroad
- RETLAW Enterprises
- Walt Disney
Sources
- Disneyland Railroad, Wikipedia (accessed October 25, 2026)
- An Original Disneyland Railroad Steam Engine is Back on Track, Disney Parks Blog (March 3, 2023)
Gallery
Photo gallery coming soon.
Western Rail Archive Notes
C.K. Holliday may be Disneyland Railroad No. 1, but E.P. Ripley is the locomotive Walt drove into Main Street Station on opening day. Its 2023 return showed that opening-day history does not need to remain frozen behind glass; with skill, investment, and care, it can remain under steam.
Archive Status
| Page Status | Category | Type | Gallery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundational Article | Equipment | Locomotive | In Development |