When you arrive at the gates of Disneyland, long before you see the castle or the Matterhorn or the Rivers of America, you stand before a special building: the Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station. This place overlooks the berm, which protects Disneyland from the real world outside, hosts live performances from characters and the Disneyland Band, and welcomes visitors onto the iconic trains. The Main Street Station is not just home to the trains, however; it also contains a special hidden gem: the Kalamazoo Handcar.
You can see the handcar parked on the exterior passing track, which the trains no longer use. The handcar has been in the park since 1958, though not always at the Main Street Station. Originally, visitors found the handcar at Frontierland Station (now known as New Orleans Square Station). I couldn’t find an exact date as to when the handcar moved onto Main Street, and sources also differ as to its origin story.
Some sources claim Walt purchased the handcar for the park, others say it was a gift from the Illinois Central Railroad. However Walt came into possession of the Kalamazoo Handcar, one thing is certain: it was the perfect occupant for the empty track facing the park gates.
About 7 years ago, they had it, along with one of the Disneyland steam engines at Railroad Days in Fullerton. While I was looking at it, one of the guys from Disney invited me to jump up on it. He said, “You know you’ve always wanted to…” He was right – ever since I was kid. So I did, and it was good! 🙂
sir i need hand car on disneyland arilroad main street station okay i goes to ride okay
Huh?