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The Don Rake Collection of Disneyland Pre-Opening Documents.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Disneyana Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
The Don Rake Collection of Disneyland Pre-Opening Documents.
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(Disneyland, 1955) As the opening of Disneyland was fast approaching, Disney was committed to getting the park open on schedule but encountered a problem with one of the key features of the park, the Disneyland Railroad. The engineers working on the railroad were actually highway engineers and were having trouble designing the switches and other aspects needed to operate the railroad with the authenticity that Walt Disney required. Work on the railroad was falling behind. Roger Broggie reached out to ex-railroad engineer Don Rake, who had just moved to Los Angeles the previous year and had applied at Disney for work. Rake had since found work, but was more than willing to help Broggie and Disney construct the railroad. At night and in his spare time, Rake would work on the designs at home on his dining room table. A courier would deliver them to Anaheim the next day where his designs would be built. Don continued to design the railroad as well as plan out the manpower and operating requirements to run two trains on the track continuously. As late as three weeks before the planned opening, Rake would be called on to solve issues with the Railroad and the Casey Jr. ride in Fantasyland. His work was so valued that Broggie offered him a full-time position in charge of all park transportation. Rake declined, but his work on completing the railroad attractions at the park were instrumental in getting the park open on schedule. This incredible collection of Rake's papers and memorabilia remained with Don's widow until it was recently discovered by a Disneyland historian and collector. Included in the collection are over 100 documents pertaining to the Disneyland Railroad and the construction of Disneyland. Most notable is the February, 1955 Marvin Davis Plot Plan of the Park. Measuring 43"x63", this extremely rare brownline gives an overview of the park mere months before opening and features many prominent areas that ultimately would not be built. Also included are (25) brown lines featuring Plt studies, track design, and railroad car studies. In addition, Rake's Disneyland Car Pass, Temporary ID card (extremely rare), personal papers with his calculations, and hand-written operating procedures for the railroad are included. No other collection as comprehensive or complete as this has ever been offered for public sale. An amazing piece of Disneyland history.