September 9th, 1951

  Walt Disney was in the yard after operating a nice passenger excursion with his family. He was pleased with the ride, and he wanted to thank Ben Hutton and Roger.

  “Thank you for giving us a pleasant ride on short notice,” Walt Disney smiled at Mr. Hutton.

  “It’s no problem,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “I would never have expected someone famous like you to be a railfan.”

  Walt chuckled, then looked at Roger.

  “I hope I can revisit this railway when I visit Pennsylvania again,” Walt smiled at the old Porter, “You truly have a wonderful railway.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Disney, sir,” Roger said with a smile, “Come back anytime!”

  December 5th, 1960

  Mr. Hutton was busy doing paperwork; it was evening. With the success of the mainline excursion not too long ago, he was thinking of sponsoring another one, though, so many festivals that the Hillside City hosted, a spring excursion would be nice, and with the other paperwork of the 1960 season shows the success of the Roger Heritage Express. Just as he was planning for other excursions, including the 10th anniversary of the railway operating as a preserved railway, he got a telephone call.

  “Hello?” He asks, putting the device to his ear.

  “Hello, is this Ben Hutton?” a voice that anyone could recognize, if you know the man with the talking mouse.

  “Walt Disney!” Ben cried out, “How are you doing?”

  It’s been 9 years since Walt Disney and his family visited the railway after the Labor Day Weekend event, the man who created Mickey Mouse and formed one of the greatest theme parks in the world, and a major railfan, the Disneyland Railroad is a wonderful heritage railroad built in 1955 as part of the preservation movement in America, Mr. Hutton and his family have visited the railroad over the years, and many of the volunteers have moved to California to work on the railroad.

  “It’s been great,” Walt smiled over the phone, “The films are doing well, and my team is doing a great job. I’m just telling you that I’ll be visiting the railroad with my family a few weeks after Christmas, around New Year's, a week after.”

  Ben nodded, though, very excited.

  “What’s the best date for you?” He asks the famous artist.

  “I’ll say the weekend, 14th, is that alright?” Disney asks.

  “Of course,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “We have new engines on the railway, some you have not even seen before.”

  Ben could hear the chuckling from the other side.

  “As much as I’ll enjoy the new engines, I'd like to see Roger,” He told Ben, “He’s like an old friend that you meet after years without seeing each other.”

  Ben nodded.

  “We usually operate our other engines during our limited service in January and February,” Mr. Hutton told Disney, “But I’ll squeeze in Roger for the Saturday service.”

  “Good to know that,” Walt smiled, “I best be off, see you later, and have a happy Christmas.”

  Ben felt giddy and excited.

  “Sounds like a plan!” Ben said happily, “See you next month, and a happy Christmas as well!”

  After that phone call, Ben went straight to the shed. It was exciting news, it’s been almost 10 years since the man who created Mickey Mouse visited the railway. Ben remembers visiting his miniature gauge railroad before it closed down, and visiting the 3-foot-gauge Disneyland Railroad. He hasn’t kept in touch with Walt due to their jobs, with how the animation industry requires talent and artistic people, making them the busiest people ever. Being almost New Year's, the railway hasn’t announced its schedule yet for the limited operation in January and February, and December is always a busy month for the railway.

  Mr. Hutton arrived at the engine shed, where Roger was telling the other engines about his mainline adventures from last month. Betty was in the shed as well, since the railway was working on improving the engine shed and shop, and since Betty already got some maintenance done back at the Hutton Steam Company, she was staying at the railway to work on Christmas trains.

  “Ben,” Roger smiled at the man arriving inside the shed.

  “Mr. Hutton!” Betty cried out, “How are you doing?”

  “I’m doing well,” Mr. Hutton smiled, “And I got some good news.”

  The other engines looked excited.

  “What’s the news?” Roger asks curiously.

  “Walt Disney is going to visit the railway again,” Mr. Hutton told his engines.

  The other engines…were mostly confused and surprised, but Roger was excited.

  “Wow, it’s been a while,” Roger said with an excited tone, “When is he going to visit?”

  “Next month, on the 14th, I’m scheduling to have the Roger Heritage Special,” Mr. Hutton told the old Porter, to which he had an excited smile.

  Though Elizabeth was confused.

  “I heard of Walt Disney before, but…he visited the Roger Railway before?” She asks Roger.

  “He did, a week after we started operation,” Roger told the Garratt locomotive, “He and his family rode on Mary, and enjoyed their time. I’m surprised there weren’t any bigger crowds than the Labor Day Weekend.”

  Elizabeth and Robert were in awe.

  “Wow, he just came, rode the train, and left?” Robert asks.

  “Well, he did explore the railway,” Roger told the young engine, “And admired our little railway survival throughout the war years; he really enjoyed his visit, he’s a big railfan after all, lived near the big railroads before working in the movie industry.”

  “And he’s visiting during our January limited operations, on the 13th,” Mr. Hutton told the other engines, “And Roger will operate on that day, and I want all of you to be on your best behavior. I told Roger this almost 10 years ago, and I’m telling you today, and I’ll remind you just in case.”

  The other engines were excited for this very famous visitor.

  “That’s mostly all I have for today in terms of special news,” Ben said as he nodded, and the engine bid their general manager and owner a good night.

  After he left, the engines were excited about Walt Disney visiting the railway again.

  “I’m very excited for the new year,” Elizabeth commented, “A very famous person is visiting our railway, and it’s his second time.”

  “I’m excited too,” Robert smiled, agreeing with her.

  “But as Mr. Hutton said, be on our best behavior,” Clair reminded the two, “The last thing that Ben wanted is to be disrespectful.”

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  “And made Walt’s visit a disaster,” Betty added.

  “They’re right,” Roger agreed with the little diesel, “Walt and his family are guests on our railway, and should be treated with our utmost respect. No heritage railroad in America would have this chance of meeting Walt Disney, except his own heritage railway.”

  Robert was surprised.

  “He has his own railroad?” the young engine asks.

  “Yep,” Roger replied, “Disneyland Railroad, 3-foot gauge, some of our volunteers work on the railroad, they said it’s the best job ever.”

  The engines were impressed.

  “Now I’m more excited to meet Walt Disney,” Elizabeth exclaimed happily.

  “He sounds like a great chap,” Robert commented.

  Roger chuckled.

  “It won’t be long now,” He smiled at the other engines.

  January 13th, 1961

  The Christmas season went well for the railway; the Christmas trains were quite busy, and the Roger Heritage Special was filling up more seats than Mr. Hutton ever thought of, but the Christmas trains were a success, and the railway enjoyed the Christmas and winter break. The New Year event was a success, and now January marks the start of the limited runs, which operate from the 11th to the 15th, 5 days. However, today is the day that Walt Disney visits the railway.

  Roger was in the yard in steam, he was excited, very excited. His coaches were given a nice clean before the visit, despite the old Porter being the only engine operating today, it gave him a chance to start his new year with a special passenger train. John Taylor was in the cab, already starting the fire and keeping it maintained until Mr. Hutton arrived.

  “Despite the cold weather, I feel all warm because of today,” Mary told Roger happily.

  “I don’t blame you, I’m excited as well,” Roger agreed with Mary, “I need to calm down, don’t want to get too excited.”

  “That’s smart,” commented Betty, who was in the yard, all nice and polished, “Don’t want you to blow a safety valve.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll watch Roger,” Taylor told Betty with a teasing tone.

  Which made Roger roll his eyes.

  “Anyway,” the old Porter said, looking at the station, “Mr. Hutton said that Walt and his family arrived at Westminster yesterday, and now they should be here any minute now.”

  “Do you think Walt owns a limo?” Betty asks.

  “Nope,” Roger replied, “But he did rent a car on his first visit.”

  Just as Betty was about to say something, a horn honked and two cars arrived at the railway yard. Coming out of the car were Walt and Lillian Disney, Roger, and the others, who couldn’t believe their eyes, it’s really him, it’s the man himself. Mr. Hutton and Lizzy got out of their car with Samuel and a redheaded girl. They walked towards the yard. Many of the railfans in the yard who were able to attend the limited operations were surprised to see the famous gentleman; some took photos, while others just watched from a distance.

  Walt and his family walked towards the yard. The engines were silent, except for Roger, who was excited to meet the famous artist. The old Porter greeted Walt, and Walt greeted him back, like familiar friends, despite having last seen each other almost 10 years ago. Mr. Hutton and Lizzy guide Walt to the other engines, while Samuel and the girl come up to Roger.

  “It seems Walt is excited to see his old friend again,” Samuel smiled at the old Porter.

  “Still the same guy from all those years,” Roger commented.

  The girl, who was with Samuel, came up and looked at the old Porter, up and down, side to side. She was examining him like he was a cow at a contest. She then came up to Samuel.

  “Your mom is right, he is cute,” the girl commented. She then turned to Roger, “I’m Diana Leigh, Sammy’s girlfriend.”

  Roger looked at the couple.

  “Well, I’m not the only one in a relationship now, congrats, Sammy,” the old Porter smiled.

  “Thanks, Roger,” Sammy blushed a bit, “We’re childhood friends, and she told me she wants to try working here.”

  “Working?” Roger asks, remembering that Ben was testing for full-time employment staff, and so far, coach cleaning was the only task on the job list since steam locomotive engineers and firemen are only part-time.

  “Yeah, though, just for the season,” Samuel told Roger, “I know that the coach cleaning staff needs some extra help, especially since it’s a 3-person team, and one of them is pregnant and on maternity leave.”

  “Well, your father is testing for full-time employment,” Roger reminded Samuel, “I think he’ll allow your girlfriend to work on the railway.”

  “I hope so,” Samuel nodded, “I’m also wanting to work here full time, we’re both turning 18 in April, and I could finally operate you full time instead of voluntarily, hopefully.”

  “It’ll be a while until your father will let you take over me,” Roger said with a half-joking tone, “But it’ll be a moment when it does come.”

  Samuel nodded.

  “Knowing my dad, he’ll let me work on the other engines before working with you,” Sammy chuckled a bit.

  “Hey, don’t forget me!” Diana gave her boyfriend a bear hug, “I’m going to be part of this operating team as well.”

  Samuel has a surprised look on his face.

  “You want to operate the engines?” Sammy asks his girlfriend.

  “Your mother has told me all about her time operating Roger,” Diana commented, “And seeing the railway for the first time, I think I’ll give it a shot, you guys do need more engineers, don’t you?”

  Sammy nodded.

  “Well,” She looked at Roger, “It’ll be a while until I’m in your cab, Roger, but with Sammy's experience, he’ll teach me the ropes.”

  “Sammy is a good engine driver,” Roger commented, smiling, “He’ll be a good teacher.”

  Then Walt and Lillian walk up to the old Porter.

  “It’s nice to see you, old friend,” Walt Disney told Roger, “It’s been such a while, and your owner did a great job keeping the railway as good as the first time I visited.”

  “And still looking handsome,” Lillian commented.

  “He sure is the best owner ever,” Roger smiled, “How have you been?”

  “Quite well, and busy,” He told the old Porter, “As usual, producing many films, and even one about trains, The Great Locomotive Chase.”

  “Oh yeah, Ben told me about that movie, he loved it,” Roger told Walt Disney.

  Walt chuckled.

  “It seems like my love for trains is influenced in the movies too,” He told the old Porter.

  He then looked at the other engines.

  “I didn’t expect Ben to purchase more engines,” Walt said as he looked at Betty and the others, “But for some reason…they fit well on this railway.”

  The other engines blushed.

  “Sorry to say this, Mr. Disney, sir,” Betty looked at the gentleman, “But a museum owns me.”

  Walt was actually surprised.

  “A museum?” He asks, he looks at Roger.

  “Yeah, Mr. Hutton also operates the Hutton Steam Company and Museum,” Roger told the famous artist, “I’m also part of the museum collection as an Honorary Member.”

  This made Walt chuckle, with a surprised look on his face.

  “Your owner sure is something,” Walt smiled, “I’d like to visit the museum after riding the train. I’ve heard that another original coach came home?”

  “Yes,” Roger replied, “Her name is Anabel, she’s a lovely part of our family.”

  “How sweet,” Lillian commented.

  Walt smiled.

  “What a lovely name, it seems like the railway has changed since my last visit, and I can’t wait to ride in the coaches again,” Walt told the old Porter, “After being in California for so long, it’s nice to visit Pennsylvania again.”

  Roger beamed happily.

  “It’s an honor again,” the old Porter smiled.

  Roger moved his coaches out of the shed to glimmer in the light. Walt could see that nothing had changed, except that Anabel added to the fleet. Mary, Taylor, and Charlotte were pleased to see their old friend, and after Roger moved through the yard and arrived at the station, the many passengers who didn’t expect to see Walt Disney in the flesh at the station, after paying the ticket, Walt and his family went inside Mary and sat down, ready for another journey on the Roger Railway.

  “This is going to be a special excursion,” Mary noted to Roger.

  “It is,” Roger smiled, “I’m excited.”

  The conductor blew his whistle, and Roger slowly left the station. The railfans took photos of Roger and the typical Roger Heritage Special, but with Walt Disney on board, it was a special RHS. Samuel and his girlfriend were in Roger’s cab, having their own little nice relaxing ride on the Roger Railway.

  “I can see why you enjoy this, Sammy,” Diana stuck her head out of the old Porter’s cab, “This is fun and relaxing.”

  “It is,” Samuel nodded, “And Roger is really a great engine.”

  “Oh, stop,” Roger blushed a bit, “I’m just a Porter, nothing special.”

  “I think my little brother is going to like this,” Diana smiled, “He’s 10, and I know he’s going to love this.”

  “He’s a railfan?” Roger asks.

  Diana nodded.

  “Something like that,” She told the old Porter.

  “Then he’s welcome to the railway!” Roger smiled.

  The scenery was nice in January, with the snow-covered trees and bushes making it look very lovely to the passengers in the coaches. Roger knew the Walt Disney family was enjoying the train ride, and so far, nothing seemed to be an issue.

  Roger and the coaches arrived at the station, where the platform was nicely shoveled, and snow had fallen in the last few days. With shoveling and ensuring the surface wasn’t icy, it took a lot of work, but the volunteers managed to get it all done. After stopping, Walt and his family came out of the coaches, looked around the station, which had changed over the years. After that, Walt and his family went to the cafe while Roger and his coaches rested a bit.

  “Despite a smaller gathering compared to 1951,” Roger noted, “It’s a successful visit.”

  “With a big company like the Walt Disney Company, making movies, they’re busy every single day,” Mary noted.

  “It’s a lot of care in those movies,” Mr. Hutton told Mary.

  “Yes, but Ben and Lizzy are going to see the new movie, ‘One Hundred and One Dalmatians’, at the Westminster Theater,” Roger told the coach.

  “We’re excited,” Lizzy grinned.

  “Oh yeah, we’re watching the movie too,” Samuel told the old Porter, popping his head out of the cab, “Me, Diana, and her little brother, probably on a Saturday since it won’t be packed with moviegoers.”

  Then, Taylor had a funny question to ask the old Porter.

  “Wouldn’t a drive-in theater be good for a steam locomotive?” Taylor jokingly asks Roger.

  Roger chuckled.

  “I’ll be too big,” He told the coach, “And even in the way in the back I’ll be too big for viewing.”

  Then, Walt Disney arrived back outside with a cup of coffee in hand, with his family following him in tow, and he was looking pleased.

  “Roger, my visit to this railway has been terrific,” He told Roger, “And I’m very pleased with how your railway treated me.”

  “It’s no problem, sir,” the old Porter smiled.

  Then Walt cleared his throat.

  “I was meant to tell you this 9 years ago, but I forgot, but there’s another two-foot gauge in California, in the Sacramento area,” He told Roger, “It’s called the California Pacific Railroad, it’s a nice little two-foot gauge railroad, I’ve mentioned it to Mr. Hutton when we were looking at the other engines, I think you’re going to like the railroad.”

  Roger was intrigued by the suggestion.

  “It’ll be a good trip,” He told the famous artist, “Traveling to the west coast is something quite different compared to my other visits; the furthest I’ve ever been is to Iowa.”

  Walt smiled.

  “You’ll love it,” He told the old Porter.

  Then, Roger could see a camera in Lillian’s hand.

  “Let’s take a photo, for memories,” She told her husband, “Especially how Mr. Hutton and his family are nice to us.”

  Walt nodded to such a good idea that he positioned himself next to the old saddletank. Mr. Hutton, Lizzy, Samuel, and his girlfriend, Diana, stood next to Walt’s family. Roger smiled at the camera. After getting the picture taken, Walt and his family got back into Mary, the old Porter uncoupled from the train, and went through the other track, coupling up behind Charlotte. Blowing his whistle, he was ready to leave. He waited for the other passengers, but he was ready to operate the return trip to the station at the yard.

  Roger arrived at the station, the whole run went well, and the old Porter was happy to finish the run with ease and no issues, and he’ll be doing that all day. Walt and his family got out of Mary, and with the looks on their face, they were happy about the run. They shook hands with Mr. Hutton and Lizzy for their hard work and dedication to providing excellent passenger excursions. Walt came up to the old Porter with a huge smile on his face.

  “It’s nice enjoying today’s passenger run,” Walt told Roger, “I’m happy to have this chance of visiting your railway after so long.”

  “It’s nice meeting you as well,” the old Porter told Walt, “I hope you visit the railway again.”

  “Maybe before your 100th birthday…or my 100th birthday,” Walt chuckled, “I'd like to see this railway one or two more times before I die.”

  The old Porter smiled.

  “I hope so,” Roger told the famous artist.