HLW Lilly Belle at MK Christmas Tree is Back

Discussion related to modeling any and all of the Disney Railroads, as well as general railroad modeling.
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BaldwinsForever
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HLW Lilly Belle at MK Christmas Tree is Back

Post by BaldwinsForever »

The HLW Lilly Belle and Carolwood Caboose are back under the Christmas Tree at the Magic Kingdom.

Did Disney make a bigger version of the HLW? Looks a lot bigger than G scale. Even the HLW logo between the drive wheels look a sticker. Looking at older pictures, looks like it’s been like this since 2019 at least.

Today:
https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct/stat ... 63911?s=21

2019:
http://www.imaginerding.com/2019/12/22 ... gdom-tree/
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Locoboy5150
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Re: HLW Lilly Belle at MK Christmas Tree is Back

Post by Locoboy5150 »

I haven't been to the Magic Kingdom in quite some time so I'm going to take a guess that the model under the Magic Kingdom tree is an non-operating static replica of the Hartland Lilly Belle. I have one of the Hartland Lilly Belle's and the model in the pictures looks less detailed and, as you mentioned, a bit larger in scale. Many of the parts on the model under the tree look more "flat" than the corresponding parts on the actual Hartland model and not just the Hartland logo between the drive wheels that you noticed.
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CP173
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Re: HLW Lilly Belle at MK Christmas Tree is Back

Post by CP173 »

Yes, that is a model of a model of a model. The Lilly Belle is a 1/8 scale version of the Central Pacific 173. I had Hartland make a gauge one version of the Lilly Belle back in 2000. Someone decided to put a large Lilly Belle under the MK tree (great idea!), but they based it on the HLW model (not such a great idea). We had to make a number of concessions to keep the cost of the HLW product to a reasonable level, so it's more of a tribute than an accurate model. For example, it has a peaked cab roof rather than flat, the's too much clearance under too-small cylinders, the tender is too short, etc.

Still, having any train under the tree that honors Walt's railroad legacy is a good thing! I'm very glad to know it returned.
BaldwinsForever
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Re: HLW Lilly Belle at MK Christmas Tree is Back

Post by BaldwinsForever »

Thank you both for the info! Now I’m curious of the scale of this model of a model.
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Re: HLW Lilly Belle at MK Christmas Tree is Back

Post by BaldwinsForever »

Wow it’s looks bigger than a live steamer

Time stamps
00:08 for the Lilly Belle
00:17 for the caboose

https://x.com/drewdisneydude/status/185 ... FFJgjMhWbg
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Locoboy5150
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Re: HLW Lilly Belle at MK Christmas Tree is Back

Post by Locoboy5150 »

Every year I am absolutely stunned by how quickly all of the Disney theme parks swap out the Halloween decorations and replace them with the Christmas ones. Poor Thanksgiving gets totally left out though with those two powerhouse holidays gobbling it up from both ends!
"Hello folks. Welcome aboard the Disneyland Railroad."

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