If you’re like me, you’ve always dreamed of having your own tiny Disneyland in your house to play with and enjoy whenever you like.
Well, 20+ years ago, architect David Sheegog embarked on a little journey that has turned into one of the most beloved backyard model train displays in Southern California!
With replicas of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, visitors of all ages are enthralled by the detail and care Sheegog has given to his project.
“I originally planned to start with five buildings, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Temple of Doom, Main Street Station, Snow White cottage and Big Thunder Station,” Sheegog says.
But as the years rolled by, he was inspired to keep adding new structures and characters and features. To the point that he had to let his wife, Frances, know his intent to reconstruct the entire backyard. She says she was not on board right away, but is so pleased with what has transpired through her husband’s “little hobby.”
Ready to visit this amazing backyard?
Just click the video below to take a tour of the entire Castle Peak and Thunder Railroad!
I’ve been able to visit the Castle Peak and Thunder Railroad several times now, and each time, the hours fly by. I simply can’t get enough of just watching the trains chug by, gazing at the wonderful re-creations of Disneyland landmarks and seeing other folks just as amazed as I am at the bit of miniature magic Sheegog has created.
The model trains serve as the foundation for the display. The engines running along the main tracks are faithful replicas of the C.K. Holliday and E.P. Ripley. Riding the rails on the second level is Casey Jr. Circus Train. And in the Rainbow Ridge area, Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl steers the Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland. Each one is intricately detailed and colors are matched to their full-scale counterparts.
As a fun addition for your visit, the Sheegogs have placed characters from every Disney and Pixar animated feature throughout the backyard (and front yard)! They give you a scavenger hunt list for you and your friends to check off the characters as you find them. To say the guests are committed to finding every movie’s characters is an understatement!
“Next year…Pixie Hollow might be finished;
the year after that, Star Wars may be done!”
~ David Sheegog
And this latest visit we were able to see a brand new addition to the CPTRR…The Red Car Trolley! As you may have heard, the Red Car Trolley at Disney California Adventure will be on hiatus as construction on the new Avengers Infinity Defense attraction. Whether the Red Car Trolley returns is still unknown. But it will live on in miniature form here in Yorba Linda!
Theme Park Casual
Vlogger, Podcast Host, Ice Cream Aficionado
Infatuated with theme parks since he can remember, TPC enjoys visiting, discussing and critiquing all things theme parks. Having been in the marketing and graphic design industry for more than 20 years, he gives a designer's perspective to the entertainment and attraction offerings at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm and other So Cal venues.