albertorc19
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This story, from Neal Gabler‘s biography, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination tells the story in detail:
"But Walt’s plan was not simply to purchase a train or even to have one made for him at the studio to his specifications. The train, like the animation, was to be all-consuming — his escape from the animations, as the animations had been intended as an escape from reality. In effect, the train would be his job. And so Walt was going to make the train himself alongside Dick Jones, Eddie Sargeant, and Roger Broggie. At night for three of four hours at a time and for long stretches on weekends, he began visiting the studio machine shop, located near the studio entrance in what were called “boxcars,” where Broggie had set up a workbench for him and taught him how to use the jeweler’s lathe, a miniature drill press, and a milling machine.… Fabricating the train became his new passion.
And Walt enjoyed the craft — the sense of finally doing productive work again and doing it with perfection the way he had done the early features. Indeed, the detail work was such that it demanded perfection. He would carry his unfinished train wheels with him where ever he went that fall and winter. “If he took his family to Palm Springs the box of wheels went along,” Diane recalled, “and he sat there filing in the sun.” And sitting there filing, Walt Disney was as contented as he had been in years."
You can see a picture of Walt's work here:
http://www.wired.com/design/2012/09/george-washington-ten-famous-makers/?pid=955&viewall=true
"But Walt’s plan was not simply to purchase a train or even to have one made for him at the studio to his specifications. The train, like the animation, was to be all-consuming — his escape from the animations, as the animations had been intended as an escape from reality. In effect, the train would be his job. And so Walt was going to make the train himself alongside Dick Jones, Eddie Sargeant, and Roger Broggie. At night for three of four hours at a time and for long stretches on weekends, he began visiting the studio machine shop, located near the studio entrance in what were called “boxcars,” where Broggie had set up a workbench for him and taught him how to use the jeweler’s lathe, a miniature drill press, and a milling machine.… Fabricating the train became his new passion.
And Walt enjoyed the craft — the sense of finally doing productive work again and doing it with perfection the way he had done the early features. Indeed, the detail work was such that it demanded perfection. He would carry his unfinished train wheels with him where ever he went that fall and winter. “If he took his family to Palm Springs the box of wheels went along,” Diane recalled, “and he sat there filing in the sun.” And sitting there filing, Walt Disney was as contented as he had been in years."
You can see a picture of Walt's work here:
http://www.wired.com/design/2012/09/george-washington-ten-famous-makers/?pid=955&viewall=true
