Ollie Johnston Depot

Ollie Johnston Depot. Carolwood Barn. , Oliver M. Johnston, Jr. (1912-2008) was one of Walt Disney's master animators, whom he affectionately referred to as his "Nine Old Men." Ollie's impact on the art of animation cannot be understated. With his best friend and fellow Disney Legend Frank Thomas, Ollie breathed life into many classic Disney animated characters - from the Seven Dwarfs to Mary Poppins' Penguins to Baloo, and many more. , , Ollie was also a railfan, and had loved trains since he was very young. He ran his own one-inch scale railroad layout at his home in La Cañada Flintridge. The La Cañada Valley Railroad was his pride and joy, and was also one of the inspirations for Walt Disney to build his own backyard layout - the Carolwood Pacific.
, At the center of Ollie's backyard was a miniature railroad depot, originally built as a playhouse for his two sons. Ollie built the station himself, and patterned it after Victorian-style depots like Ward Kimball's Grizzly Flats Depot. , , In 2008, prior to Ollie's passing, the depot was moved from Ollie's backyard to Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn. Lovingly restored, it now stands as a lasting tribute to a legendary animator and railfan. , , Carolwood Barn , Walt Disney's Carolwood Barn, rededicated July 19, 1999 to memory of Walt Disney and his love for railroading he shared with the world. , , Diane Disney Miller. , Walt Disney Family Educational Foundation. , Mayor Richard Riordan. , Steven Z. Soboroff, President, Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners. , John Ferraro, President, City Council of Los Angeles. , , At the site of the Los Angeles Live Steamers. , Presented by the Carrolwood Pacific Historical Society.