>> VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] Huell: OH, BOY, THIS IS GONNA BE A LOT OF FUN!

HERE WE ARE IN GRIFFITH PARK ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

I'M STANDING HERE WITH?

LEONARD, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> LEONARD EVANS, MEMBER OF THE LOS ANGELES LIVE STEAMERS FOR 13 YEARS NOW.

Huell: THE LIVE STEAMERS!

I'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS PLACE FOR YEARS.

THEY'VE OPENED UP THE GATES, SO WE CAN WALK IN.

TELL US WHAT IN THE WORLD THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

>> WELL, THE LIVE STEAMERS WAS STARTED BACK IN 1956.

WHEN TRAVELTOWN WAS ESTABLISHED, THEY HAD A STATIC DISPLAY, AND THEY WANTED SOME PEOPLE TO HAVE A MOVING RAILROAD.

THEY HEARD ABOUT A CLUB IN LOMITA WHERE A MANUFACTURER HAD BASED A LITTLE TRACK.

THEY WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO START BUILDING KITS FOR THIS, AND ASKED SOME OF THE GUYS TO COME OUT HERE AND SET UP A DEMONSTRATION RAILROAD, AND THAT'S HOW IT ACTUALLY BEGAN.

Huell: WHAT IS GOING ON OVER HERE?

CAN WE HEAR SOME NOISE OVER HERE, FELLAS?

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS] Huell: OH, MY GOSH!

ONE MORE TIME, NOW THAT I'M READY FOR IT.

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS] Huell: NOW, THERE IS SOME LIVE STEAM OVER THERE.

WHAT HAVE WE GOT OVER HERE, LEONARD?

>> THIS IS OUR STATIONARY STEAM PLANT.

IT'S ACTUALLY AN EXHIBIT OF TURN-OF-THE CENTURY STEAM POWER, COMPLETE WITH APPLIANCES, LIKE A GENERATOR, THE WHISTLE THAT YOU JUST SAW, WATER PUMPS, AIR COMPRESSOR.

Huell: LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF DOWN HERE.

>> THESE ARE STATIONARY MODELS.

NOW, PAUL SEACHORD IS ONE OF THE SUPERVISORS HERE... Huell: HOWDY.

HUELL HOWSER.

GOOD TO MEET YOU.

WAIT A MINUTE, I WANNA MEET THE GUY WHO BLEW THAT WHISTLE.

YOU ABOUT SCARED US OUT OF OUR SKIN THERE.

>> THAT'S A BIG ONE, ISN'T IT?

Huell: YEAH!

IT REALLY IS.

LOOK AT THIS, CAMERON, LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE GOT GOING.

THESE ARE ALL, LOOK LIKE ANTIQUE ENGINES THAT SHOW THE EARLY DAYS, OF... >> YES, THESE ARE ALL MODELS THAT SHOW HOW EARLY STEAM ENGINES WORKED.

THESE VERTICAL ONES ARE JUST LIKE A MARINE ENGINE, THE KIND OF ENGINE YOU'D FIND IN THE TITANIC.

THESE ARE TYPICAL OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINES OF THE 19th CENTURY.

THESE ARE JUST RUNNING ON AIR RIGHT NOW.

Huell: WHAT ABOUT ALL THE BIG ONES?

CAN WE COME IN THERE AND TAKE A LOOK?

BOY, THIS IS... >> THESE ARE ALL THE REAL THING.

Huell: WHAT IS THIS OVER HERE?

LOOK AT THIS!

>> THIS IS A STEAM DRIVEN AIR COMPRESSOR THAT CAME FROM THE OIL FIELDS UP BETWEEN TAFT AND COALINGA.

AND ORIGINALLY THERE WAS AN OIL LINE THAT WENT FROM THE BAKERSFIELD AREA UP TO CONCORD AND SAN FRANCISCO BAY, AND EVERY 15 MILES OR SO THERE'D BE A COMPRESSOR STATION.

THIS WAS JUST A LITTLE UTILITY ENGINE TO POWER PNEUMATIC BRUSHES TO CLEAN OUT THE FLUES IN THE BOILER.

Huell: AND LOOK AT ALL THIS!

I MEAN, YOU'VE GOT--NOW, SEE, I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS.

I WAS EXPECTING LITTLE STEAM ENGINES.

>> NO, THIS IS ALL THE REAL THING.

WE WANTED TO SHOW PEOPLE WHAT A TYPICAL 19th CENTURY, EARLY 20th CENTURY INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS PLANT WOULD BE LIKE.

AND WE HAVE OUR CAN CRUSHER HERE.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS, THEY'RE RECYCLING HERE WITH THE CAN CRUSHER.

GIRLS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

>> WE'RE CRUSHING CANS.

Huell: OK, THESE ARE OLD CANS, AND WE JUST LOOK OVER HERE, CAMERON, WE'RE JUST STICKING THEM IN... >> THROW IT IN.

Huell: OH, BOY, THERE IT GOES, RIGHT DOWN HERE.

>> SOMETIMES THEY GET STUCK.

Huell: WHAT?

>> SOMETIMES THEY GET STUCK.

Huell: LET ME SEE.

BOY, THIS IS GREAT!

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S GONNA TAKE 2 ENGINES TO RUN THIS CAN CRUSHER.

WE'VE GOT ONE ENGINE HERE RUNNING THE CONVEYOR BELT, ONE ENGINE RUNNING THE CRUSHER.

THESE ARE TURN OF THE CENTURY, THESE ARE ALL ABOUT 100 YEARS OLD.

THE STORY ABOUT THIS PUMP IS APPARENTLY IT CAME FROM DOWN HERE, JUST A MILE OR SO AWAY, AND WAS USED TO PUMP WATER OUT OF THE LOS ANGELES RIVER, AND IT'S A LITTLE CRANKY, IT'S OLD.

Huell: OH, IT STOPPED.

>> WE'LL GET IT GOING AGAIN.

IT'S JUST A LITTLE CRANKY.

Huell: WELL, THAT HAPPENS.

THIS THING IS HOW OLD?

>> 1880s.

Huell: OH, WELL, IT'S ENTITLED TO STOP EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

SEE, THIS IS A--HOWDY, HOW YOU DOING?

>> I'M FINE.

Huell: IS THIS PART OF YOUR DEAL HERE?

>> THIS IS HIS DEAL.

THIS IS WILLIE WILHAM, HE'S A FORMER ROCKET SCIENTIST, AND THIS IS HIS.

Huell: SO YOU CAME UP WITH ALL THIS.

>> NO, NOT ENTIRELY.

THIS HAS BEEN HERE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

WE JUST IMPROVED IT.

Huell: WHERE DO YOU GET ALL OF THIS STUFF?

>> WELL, WE GOT IT OFF OF EBAY.

HE CAN TELL YOU, HE GOT IT.

THAT'S HIS EQUIPMENT.

OK. Huell: BUT YOU HELP KEEP IT GOING, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, THE WHOLE CREW DOES.

YOU CAN'T RUN THIS ALONE.

TAKES THE WHOLE CREW.

Huell: LOT OF VOLUNTEERS DOWN HERE.

>> ALL OF THEM.

Huell: NOBODY'S GETTING PAID.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THIS IS OUR BOILER.

IT'S A DICKSON VERTICAL TUBE BOILER.

PUTS OUT ABOUT 10 HORSEPOWER.

IT'S RATED AT 35 I BELIEVE, BUT WE'RE ONLY USING ABOUT 10 RIGHT NOW.

Huell: CAMERON, COME HERE A MINUTE AND LOOK RIGHT DOWN HERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING TO SEE.

JUST LOOKING DOWN THROUGH THERE.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO SEE.

Huell: YOU SEE A LOT, ALL THE WAY DOWN THERE, THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF TO GO, TO SEE HERE.

>> OH, YEAH, IT'S A VERY BUSY PLACE.

YOU CAN SEE OUR FIREBOX IN THERE, THROUGH THE MIRROR.

IT'S A DIESEL FUEL BOILER.

Huell: BOY, THIS IS--NOW, SEE, THIS TOOK ME TOTALLY OFF-GUARD, I THOUGHT WE WERE COMING HERE TO RIDE ON LITTLE TRAINS.

>> OH, NO, THERE'S A LOT MORE GOING ON HERE THAN JUST LITTLE TRAINS.

ALTHOUGH THE CLUB SPECIALIZES IN IT.

Huell: OH, THIS IS WHAT PULLS IT TO START IT?

>> GOTTA GIVE IT A GOOD PULL-- [TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING] Huell: THAT'S GREAT!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW, WHERE DO WE GO NOW?

I GUESS WE LEAVE YOU, WE'RE GOING OVER HERE.

WHAT ARE WE SEEING OVER HERE?

>> THE NEXT STOP IS THE DISNEY BARN.

THIS IS THE BARN THAT ACTUALLY WAS IN WALT DISNEY'S BACKYARD AT HIS HOUSE, HIS HOME WORKSHOP, AROUND WHICH HE BUILT HIS MODEL RAILROAD.

HE HAD A LIVE STEAMER.

HE WAS ACTUALLY A CHARTER MEMBER IN THIS CLUB, THE LOS ANGELES LIVE STEAMERS, IN 1957.

Huell: AND THIS IS FROM HIS BACKYARD?

>> FROM HIS BACKYARD, RECONSTRUCTED HERE.

Huell: WHERE?

>> WELL, MICHAEL BROGGIE, WHO'S FATHER USED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH DISNEY, CAN TELL YOU MUCH MORE ABOUT IT THAN I CAN.

Huell: WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?

>> WELCOME TO WALT DISNEY'S HAPPY PLACE.

THIS CAME FROM WALT DISNEY'S BACKYARD, UP ON CARROLLWOOD DRIVE AND HOLMBY HILLS.

Huell: AND THIS WAS JUST, IT LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE BARN.

>> IT WAS WALT'S PERSONAL WORKSHOP AT HIS HOUSE.

AND IT WAS ALSO THE BIRTHPLACE OF IMAGINEERING.

AND THIS STARTED-- THE WHOLE THING OF DISNEYLAND STARTED RIGHT IN THIS LITTLE BARN UP AT HIS HOUSE.

Huell: WHAT'S IN HERE NOW?

CAN WE GO INSIDE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALL KINDS OF FUN STUFF TO LOOK AT.

Huell: LET'S GO INSIDE.

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH.

NOW HERE'S THE BARN IN WALT'S BACKYARD.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

Huell: AND WE ARE INSIDE NOW, WHICH--WELL, HERE HE IS WITH MICKEY UP BY A TRAIN.

>> THAT'S UP AT DISNEYLAND.

THAT WAS TAKEN JUNE 18, 1955, A MONTH BEFORE DISNEYLAND OPENED.

NOTICE THE HEADLIGHT HADN'T BEEN INSTALLED YET.

Huell: SO HE WAS A HUGE TRAIN BUFF.

>> THAT'S WHY DISNEYLAND WAS BUILT.

Huell: WHAT?

>> THAT'S WHY DISNEYLAND WAS BUILT.

IT GAVE HIM A BIGGER PLACE TO RUN A LARGER TRAIN.

>> THIS IS ONE OF 2 ENGLISH ENGINES THAT WALT BOUGHT IN LONDON, FROM A FAMOUS TRAIN SHOP CALLED TRACY LOWELL.

Huell: OH, LOOK, HERE IS WALT WITH THIS TRAIN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IF YOU TOUCH THIS, THIS HAS WALT'S FINGERPRINTS ON IT.

YOU CAN TOUCH THIS ENGINE.

AND WALT IS TAKING IT APART IN THE MACHINE SHOP.

MY DAD WAS THE MACHINIST AT THIS STUDIO, AND HE BECAME THE FIRST IMAGINEER.

AND IF YOU LOOK UP ON THE WALL HERE, IS A PICTURE OF WALT WITH MY DAD, WITH THE LILLY BELLE LOCOMOTIVE THAT RAN IN THE BACKYARD, AND WE HAVE A MODEL, SEVERAL MODELS OF THE LILLY BELLE HERE IN THE BARN.

Huell: SO REALLY, ALL OF THESE THINGS HERE ARE PART OF WALT'S COLLECTION OF TRAINS FROM HIS-- WHY ARE THEY HERE?

>> BECAUSE THE L.A. LIVE STEAMERS AND THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, WITH THE DISNEY FAMILY, ALL AGREED THE BARN SHOULD BE ON PUBLIC DISPLAY.

SO, THE FAMILY LOANED IT TO THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, WE BUILT A BRAND-NEW FOUNDATION, A NEW FRAME, WE SAVED 80% OF THE ORIGINAL WOOD, TO LOCATE IT HERE SO PEOPLE CAN COME AND ENJOY IT.

Huell: AND THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC HOW OFTEN?

>> IT'S OPEN EVERY THIRD SUNDAY IN THE MONTH, AND IT'S FREE.

OPENS AT 11:00 UNTIL 3:00.

Huell: EVERY THIRD SUNDAY.

WE'LL PUT A PHONE NUMBER AND ALL OF THAT UP ON THE SCREEN.

OK, EVERYBODY, GIVE US A WAVE.

THIS IS THE DISNEY GROUP IN FRONT OF THE DISNEY BARN.

AND HE WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE LIVE STEAMERS.

>> A CHARTER MEMBER, OFFICIALLY MADE A CHARTER MEMBER, WHICH IS A LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP, IN 1957 BY ACTION OF THE BOARD.

Huell: WOW.

WELL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

WE'RE TAKING A TRAIN RIDE.

HAVE FUN IN THE BARN, WE'LL BE BACK.

THIS IS VERY, VERY INTERESTING.

NOW, SO FAR, WE GOT HERE, WE SAW DISNEY'S BARN, WE SAW ALL OF THE STEAM ENGINES, THE MOTORS... >> OUR STATIONARY STEAM PLANT.

Huell: BUT WHERE ARE THE LITTLE TRAINS?

>> THERE ARE 3 LOCOMOTIVES DOUBLE-HEAD--TRIPLE-HEADING, ACTUALLY, RIGHT UP THERE.

ALL COAL BURNERS, AND THEY'RE PULLING A FREIGHT DRAG THROUGH THE OLD SATCHVILLE STATION HERE.

THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE WAS BUILT BY THE DRIVER, CHUCK MOORE, FROM SCRATCH.

IT ACTUALLY HAS A SANDER SYSTEM IN IT, SO IT'S GOT LOTS OF TRACTION, AND WE COME OUT EVERY YEAR.

THIS IS A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS.

ONE THING I DIDN'T MENTION, EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE IN HERE HAS BEEN BUILT, DONATED, OBTAINED BY, AND NOW MAINTAINED BY THE MEMBERSHIP.

THAT INCLUDES THE LANDSCAPING, THESE CARS WERE BROUGHT IN, EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE.

THERE WERE RUSTY REFRIGERATORS, OLD CARS OUT HERE, BOULDERS, NOTHING WAS HERE IN THE BEGINNING.

Huell: AND WHAT'S THE IDEA?

WHAT SCALE ARE THEY BUILT TO?

>> THERE ARE ACTUALLY 3 SCALES.

THE TRAINS THAT YOU SEE HERE ARE INCH AND A HALF TO THE FOOT SCALE, AND THEY RUN ON 7 1/2 INCH GAUGE TRACK.

THE TRACK THAT WE'RE ON TOP OF RIGHT HERE IS 4 AND 3/4 GAUGE, OR ONE INCH TO THE FOOT SCALE, SO 1/12 SCALE.

NOW YOU'LL NOTICE HERE THERE ARE 3 TRACKS.

THE SMALLER ONES ARE 3 1/2 INCH GAUGE, OR 3/4 INCH TO THE FOOT SCALE.

Huell: AND WHERE DID THE TERM "LIVE STEAMERS" COME FROM?

>> BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY WORK ON LIVE STEAM.

THESE ENGINES HAVE A FIRE IN THEM.

THEY HAVE MINIATURE VALVES, A REAL BOILER.

THEY EITHER BURN FUEL OIL, COAL, PROPANE, OR IN SOME CASES, WOOD.

Huell: NOW HERE COMES ONE RIGHT NOW, LOOK AT THIS ONE!

WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THAT ONE?

WHAT'S RUNNING THAT ONE?

>> THIS HAS A GASOLINE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM IN IT.

IT HAS AN 8 HORSEPOWER GAS ENGINE WITH A HYDRAULIC DRIVE.

NOW, YOUR DIESELS COME IN 2 VARIETIES.

THEY HAVE EITHER AN 8 OR A 16 HORSEPOWER ENGINE IN THEM, WITH HYDRAULICS, SOME ARE CHAIN DRIVEN AND OTHERS HAVE A BATTERY SYSTEM IN THEM, WITH A SOUND UNIT.

Huell: AND HOW MANY TRAINS DO YOU HAVE RUNNING?

OH, HERE'S A CONDUCTOR RIGHT HERE!

HOW YOU DOING?

>> FINE, HOW ARE YOU?

Huell: WHAT'S YOUR JOB HERE, TO HOLD BACK THE MASSES OF PEOPLE?

>> TRY TO, TRY TO.

Huell: SO IT'S REALLY CROWDED HERE, WHEN THEY'RE OPEN, AREN'T YOU?

>> WHEN WE OPEN, AND THEY JUST KEEP COMING AND THEY COME BACK AND RIDE AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Huell: LOTS OF REGULARS HERE.

>> OH, YEAH.

Huell: WHEN ARE YOU OPEN?

>> WE'RE OPEN EVERY SUNDAY, THE GATES AT 10:00, THE RIDES START AT 11:00.

ANYONE IN BY 3:00 GETS A RIDE.

Huell: IS IT FREE?

>> IT'S FREE.

THERE'S NO CHARGE.

ANY DONATION THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IS FINE, BUT THAT'S ENTIRELY VOLUNTARY.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, WE'VE GOT A LADY GIVING INSTRUCTIONS DOWN HERE.

OH, LOOK, WE GOT ANOTHER LITTLE TRAIN COMING OVER HERE.

BOY, IT'S EVERYWHERE!

WHAT KIND OF INSTRUCTIONS ARE YOU GIVING TO EVERYBODY?

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING THEM?

>> I'M TELLING THEM HOW TO RIDE THE TRAIN.

Huell: AND WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM?

>> KEEP THEIR HANDS, ARMS, KNEES AND FEET INSIDE AT ALL TIMES.

DON'T LEAN FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

AND I'M GONNA GO GET ON MY RIDE.

Huell: OH, OK, SHE'S BUSY.

>> YEAH.

SHE GIVES EACH CONDUCTOR-- Huell: OH, LOOK, SO THERE SHE GOES, SHE'S GOT A-- [WHISTLES] Huell: OH, BOY, SHE'S READY.

DO THAT WHISTLE ONE MORE TIME FOR US.

[WHISTLES] Huell: OH, BOY, LOOK AT THEM GOING.

OH, LOOK, WE GOT 3 HERE, ONE OVER HERE, THAT'S A COAL TRAIN OVER THERE, THEN WE GOT ONE IN THE MIDDLE, AND WE GOT ONE OVER HERE ON THE LEFT.

>> SO THIS IS THE STATION WHERE WE LOAD EVERY SUNDAY.

Huell: HOW MANY TRAINS DO YOU HAVE IN THIS PLACE?

>> OH, NOW YOU'RE ASKING ME A QUESTION THAT'S HARD TO FIGURE.

Huell: WE GOT A BACKUP HERE, WE GOT ONE OVER HERE-- >> WE PROBABLY GOT 10 OR 11 TRAINS RUNNING TODAY, RIGHT NOW.

Huell: NOW HOW COME THIS LADY IS JUST ON HER OWN LITTLE TRAIN OVER HERE?

>> THEY BROUGHT THEIR UNIT TO VISIT THE PARK TODAY.

THEY ARE ACTUALLY MEMBERS OF ANOTHER CLUB DOWN IN COSTA MESA, AND SO THEY BROUGHT THEIR ENGINE AND RIDING CAR UP TO VISIT US.

AND WE DO THIS BETWEEN THE CLUBS, WE GO AND VISIT EACH OTHER.

Huell: WOW, SHE'S RIDING THE YOSEMITE AND WESTERN, AND LOOK AT THIS OTHER LITTLE ONE RIGHT HERE, HI, HOW YOU DOING?

IS THAT YOUR FAMILY?

SO PEOPLE BRING THEIR WHOLE FAMILY?

>> THIS IS ONE INCH SCALE, AND THIS IS A NICE SIZE TO ACTUALLY PUT IN YOUR BACKYARD, BECAUSE YOU CAN GO AROUND A TIGHTER CURVE WITH THIS.

THIS IS ALL A TRAIN THAT HE BUILT.

Huell: LOOK AT ALL THAT'S GOING ON HERE!

HERE COMES ANOTHER ONE!

>> NOW ON THE FRONT HERE, WE HAVE THE CLUB STEAM LOCOMOTIVE, WE HAVE-- Huell: HOWDY!

LOOK AT THIS.

AND LOOK OVER HERE, CAMERON, WATCH OUT.

WE BETTER GET OVER HERE.

LOOK AT THIS LOCOMOTIVE, THIS IS AN OLD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE!

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

ONE OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE CLUB DONATED THIS ENGINE.

Huell: YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE HAVING A HARD TIME FITTING ON THIS THING.

>> YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.

Huell: THIS IS A LOT OF FUN!

>> GREAT FUN!

Huell: NOW THIS ONE'S RUN BY STEAM?

>> BY STEAM.

Huell: WOW.

AND HERE'S THE, WHAT'S HIS POSITION?

>> GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT.

Huell: OK, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO IT NOW?

>> WELL, I GOT MY BOILER WAY TOO FULL.

Huell: OH, LOOK AT THIS.

>> WHEN WE GET BY, I'M GONNA BLOW SOME WATER OUT TO GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ROOM FOR STEAM.

Huell: SO THIS IS THE REAL THING, ISN'T IT, IT'S JUST SMALLER SCALE?

>> A LOT SMALLER SCALE.

WE WORK, ME AND HIM BOTH WORK ON A LARGER SCALE ONE, WHEN WE'RE NOT WORKING ON THIS, 'CAUSE IT MAKES IT ALL MUCH MORE FUN.

Huell: WELL, THIS IS GREAT!

>> THE FIRST GENTLEMAN ACTUALLY REPAIRED THIS ENGINE.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH!

LOOK AT THIS!

HE'S BLOWING OUT THE TANKS!

>> HE'S RELIEVING, LOWERING THE WATER LEVEL TO MAKE MORE ROOM FOR STEAM.

Huell: AND LOOK OVER HERE.

>> I MIGHT NEED--I GOT MORE THAN ENOUGH IN THE BOILER!

Huell: YOU GOT TOO MUCH WATER GOING.

LOOK AT OVER HERE, THIS IS--BOY, IT WENT FROM NOTHING GOING ON TO A LOT GOING ON HERE ALL OF A SUDDEN.

>> THE OWNER OF THIS TRAIN IS SITTING IN THE CABOOSE.

Huell: HOWDY!

>> HE'S A STEAMER FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

HE HAD A STEAM ENGINE FOR A LONG TIME, NOW HE LIKES TO RUN THE DIESEL.

Huell: LET'S TALK TO THIS GUY OVER HERE, HOW YOU DOING?

>> PRETTY GOOD, PRETTY GOOD, HOW ARE YOU?

Huell: WHAT'S YOUR JOB HERE TODAY?

>> I'M THE CONDUCTOR OF THIS TRAIN TODAY.

Huell: AND AS THE CONDUCTOR, WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?

>> SEE THAT ALL THE PASSENGERS GET SET PROPERLY, AND THAT THEY OBEY BY THE RULES WE HAVE SO THAT THEY DON'T GET HURT WHILE WE'RE MOVING.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS.

THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE HAVE TO SEE THAT THEY GET A COMFORTABLE RIDE.

Huell: OH, BOY.

AND YOU LOOK PRETTY LAID BACK HERE.

>> MY JOB IS TO HAVE FUN.

Huell: HOW CAN YOU FIT ON THIS THING?

>> WELL, I JUST, VERY COMFORTABLY.

FOOT PADS, AND A NICE SEAT, AND I GOT MY CONTROLS, AND I'M READY TO GO.

Huell: AND HOW FAST DO YOU GO ON THESE THINGS?

>> ABOUT 6 MILES AN HOUR, 5, 6 MILES AN HOUR.

Huell: AND WHAT'S PEOPLE'S REACTIONS WHEN THEY-- >> THEY LOVE IT, THEY LOVE IT.

KIDS LOVE IT, ADULTS LOVE IT, SO IT'S A GREAT TIME FOR ALL.

Huell: ISN'T IT HARD FOR ADULTS TO FIT ON THESE THINGS?

I MEAN, YOU LOOK LIKE A KID ON A TRICYCLE HERE.

>> IT'S HARDER FOR SOME THAN OTHERS, THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> HEY, HUELL!

Huell: HI, HOW YA'LL DOIN', ARE YOU LOADING UP?

>> YEAH, WE'RE LOADING UP.

Huell: NOW ARE YOU ALL REGULARS HERE?

>> WE COME HERE ABOUT 2 OR 3 TIMES A MONTH.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.

AW, SEE, NOW THE KIDS REALLY GET ADDICTED TO IT.

OH MY GOSH!

[TRAIN HONKS] Huell: OH, MY GOSH.

WOW, THIS IS GREAT.

AND LOOK AT THIS THING.

WHAT IS THIS MADE OUT OF?

>> THIS IS FIBERGLASS.

AND THIS IS THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC BLACK WIDOW FROM THE 1950s.

Huell: AND SOME OF THEM ARE MADE OUT OF METAL?

>> MOST OF THEM ARE METAL, RIGHT.

IT'S SOLID.

Huell: AND DID YOU PAY FOR THIS ONE YOURSELF?

>> I PAID FOR IT MYSELF.

Huell: YOU MUST BE RICH.

>> WELL, I WAS.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS LITTLE ENGINE.

>> OH, YEAH, NOW THAT WAS ACTUALLY OWNED BY A MEMBER WHO PASSED AWAY.

THE WIFE WROTE A LETTER TO US, AND IT TURNS OUT I WENT WITH HIS DAD TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

Huell: THAT LOOKS LIKE AN ANTIQUE.

>> OH, IT IS.

THAT ENGINE PROBABLY ORIGINATED BACK IN THE FIFTIES.

Huell: SO THESE THINGS ARE PASSED ON, I MEAN, THESE HAVE REAL HISTORICAL VALUE, AS WELL AS MONETARY VALUE.

>> THERE'S ONE HERE BUILT BY BUZZ SUCH THAT'S ON DISPLAY OVER THERE, AND I RAN INTO A GUY LAST WEEKEND WHOSE GRANDFATHER STARTED ONE, AND HE RECENTLY HAD SOMEONE COMPLETE IT FOR HIM.

IT IS A JEWEL TODAY.

Huell: BOY, THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON AROUND HERE.

THIS IS DEFINITELY ACTION CENTRAL, RIGHT HERE.

YOU GOT A BACK-UP GOING HERE.

>> YES, WE DO.

I THINK SOMEBODY CALLED HUELL HOWSER IS HOLDING US UP A LITTLE BIT?

Huell: LOOK AT THIS, LOOK AT THIS!

HEY!

THIS IS--DON'T BLAME THIS ON ME.

I THINK IT'S A BREAKDOWN IN THE SYSTEM HERE.

>> WELL, SOMEBODY WAS HOLDING US UP, I'M NOT SURE, MAYBE IT WASN'T ALL YOU.

I'M NOT SURE WHO IT WAS.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS, HE'S READY TO GO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE GONNA LOAD UP WITH ANOTHER GROUP OF PASSENGERS AND HAUL AROUND.

Huell: THIS IS YOUR, UH... >> IT'S A BALDWIN S-12.

COLORADO AND CALIFORNIA, FOR MY BOYS.

Huell: I HAVE A FEELING YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

>> YOU BET I DO, HUELL, IT'S GREAT FUN, WE GET OUT, WE HAVE A GREAT CHANCE TO PULL THE PUBLIC, AND WE REALLY ENJOY IT.

Huell: YEAH, THE PUBLIC'S GOTTA-- >> AND THE BOYS LOVE IT!

Huell: YOU HAVING A GOOD TIME?

GOOD, GOOD.

AND LOOK AT THIS FAMILY RIGHT HERE.

YA'LL HAVING FUN?

>> OH, WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME.

LOVE THE TRAINS.

Huell: NOW, IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE?

>> IT IS, IT IS.

Huell: SO, REALLY, THIS MUST, THIS IS BLOWING ME AWAY.

>> THIS IS BLOWING US AWAY, TOO.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS GUY!

YOU'RE TOO BIG FOR THIS LITTLE TOY.

>> NO, I LOVE IT, THAT'S MINE RIGHT THERE.

Huell: AND HERE WE GO.

HOW YOU DOING?

>> JIM LOZOSKY HERE.

Huell: GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR!

IS THIS YOUR ENGINE?

>> ONE OF MINE.

Huell: GIVE US A HONK ON THAT HORN.

>> WHICH ONE?

Huell: RIGHT THERE.

[HORN HONKS] Huell: HE'S A PRETTY GOOD TRAIN MASTER, ISN'T HE?

>> YES, HE IS.

DONE IT FIRST AND LAST, THAT'S GOOD.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

>> WHOO-HOO!

WE'RE ON TV!

Huell: YEAH, I'LL TALK TO YOU!

YOU HAVING FUN?

>> YES, I'M HAVING FUN TODAY, HERE AT GRIFFITH PARK.

Huell: HAVING A GOOD TIME-- >> WE'RE GONNA GET ON 3 TIMES BECAUSE THIS IS OUR SECOND TIME ON IT.

Huell: THE SECOND TIME AROUND THE TRAIN?

>> YUP.

Huell: GREAT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE COME AND JUST STAY, DON'T THEY?

>> OH, YES.

IN FACT, IT'S ONLY AFTER 3:00 THAT WE SAY YOU CAN'T GET BACK IN LINE AGAIN.

NOW JIM LOZOSKY YOU JUST MET WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINATING MEMBERS THAT FORMED THE CLUB BEFORE IT WAS A CLUB.

Huell: NOW, WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS?

HAVE I BEEN IN A CAVE SOMEWHERE?

'CAUSE LOOK AT ALL THESE PEOPLE WE GOT.

>> WELL, YOU'LL FIND PEOPLE EVERY SUNDAY, SAYING "I NEVER KNEW THIS WAS HERE, I'VE LIVED IN TOWN FOR 40 YEARS."

Huell: BUT DON'T YOU HAVE A TROUBLE, ALMOST, WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE COMING?

CAUSE YOU'RE ONLY OPEN ON SUNDAYS.

>> ONLY OPEN ON SUNDAYS AND WE'RE AN ALL-VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, SO SOMETIMES THERE'S 10 OR 11 TRAINS LIKE TODAY, SOMETIMES THERE MAY BE ONLY 2 OR 3.

Huell: UH-OH, IF YOU'VE ONLY GOT 2 OR 3, AND YOU GOT ALL THESE PEOPLE, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE-- >> THEN WE START SHAKING THE SEATS AROUND HERE AND SAYING, COME ON GUYS, LET'S GO.

BUT IT'S ALL VOLUNTEER AND IT'S WORKED OUT VERY WELL, WE PROVIDE A GOOD SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE.

WE'RE RIDDEN LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OVER THE YEAR OUT HERE.

Huell: SURE!

LOOK AT THIS GUY.

COME ON THROUGH HERE, FELLAS.

LOOK AT THIS GUY HERE.

OH, MY GOSH, HOW YOU DOING, FELLAS?

>> NOT BAD FOR AN OLD GUY, WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Huell: HAVING FUN?

>> DARN RIGHT.

EVERY SUNDAY FOR THE LAST 33 YEARS.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.

>> NO, I'M ITALIAN, HOW'D YOU KNOW?

Huell: AND YOU'VE BEEN COMING DOWN HERE EVERY SUNDAY FOR-- >> NOT QUITE EVERY SUNDAY.

WHEN THE BOSS AT HOME SAYS IT'S OK, I COME DOWN, WHICH YOU KNOW, AFTER THE YEARS IT'S OK, I COME DOWN PRETTY MUCH EVERY SUNDAY.

Huell: SO SHE LETS YOU PLAY WITH YOUR TRAIN.

>> RIGHT.

BEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD.

>> HE BUILT THAT.

FROM SCRATCH.

Huell: WHAT IS THIS?

>> IT'S A CLASS C, ILLINOIS CENTRAL LOCOMOTIVE.

THEY USED TO PULL TRAINS WITH THIS AT ONE TIME.

ACTUALLY PULL TRAINS IN ILLINOIS.

Huell: THEY'RE HONKING AT US CAUSE WE'RE HOLDING THEM UP.

YOU BETTER MOVE ON.

>> THEY'RE ON THE OTHER LINE.

Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU, SIR.

YOU BETTER SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR WIFE, LIKE THANKS.

>> HI, SWEETHEART, AND THANK YOU!

>> YOU KNOW, I SAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IN A YEAR, IT'S ACTUALLY OVER THE YEARS WE'VE HAD THAT MANY PEOPLE COME THROUGH HERE.

Huell: WELL, BUT YOU'VE GOT THOUSANDS EVERY SUNDAY, COMING THROUGH HERE.

>> CLOSE TO A THOUSAND PEOPLE ON A SUNDAY.

ABOUT 35,000 A YEAR.

WE ALSO HAVE CHARITY EVENTS THAT WE HOLD HERE, FOR CITY OF HOPE, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL-- Huell: LET'S GET OUT OF THE WAY AND LET--COME ON THROUGH!

>> LOOK AT THIS GUY.

Huell: SORRY TO HOLD YOU UP.

>> HI.

Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU, MET YOU IN PALM SPRINGS IN JANUARY.

Huell: WELL, NICE TO SEE YOU HERE!

>> THIS IS HIS TRAIN IN THE BACK, SO-- Huell: YEAH, OK, THIS IS HIS TRAIN BACK HERE.

HOWDY!

EVERYBODY HAVING FUN?

BOY, WHAT'S NOT TO ENJOY ABOUT THIS?

THIS IS YOUR TRAIN?

>> YES.

HOW ARE YOU, HUELL?

THIS IS MY TRAIN, I'VE HAD IT FOR 25 YEARS, HERE.

I'VE BEEN IN THE CLUB FOR 29, AND WE'VE BEEN OPERATING EVER SINCE.

THEY USED IT FOR THE DICK TRACY MOVIE, AND THEY PUT ROPES ON IT, SO I HAVE ROPES ON IT OCCASIONALLY.

BUT I'VE HAD A LOT OF FUN HERE.

THIS IS A GREAT CLUB.

Huell: YOU KNOW, EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, YOU SEE SOMETHING ELSE.

THIS IS KIND OF, THIS IS AN OLD ONE OVER HERE.

>> YEAH, WE HAVE OLD ONES AND MODERN ONES AND EVERY--YOU GOT 3 OF THEM THERE.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS!

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS?

>> 266-2-MALLY.

Huell: BOY, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING.

>> IT IS THE REAL THING, ONLY SMALLER.

Huell: YEAH, LOOK AT THE, LISTEN TO THIS.

[ENGINE HISSING] Huell: BOY, IT SMELLS, TOO.

>> USING REAL WELSH COAL.

Huell: OH, LOOK AT THIS!

>> BURNING WITH REAL COAL.

Huell: HE'S FIRING IT WITH REAL COAL, HE'S GOT A REAL LITTLE BOILER DOWN THERE.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS, THIS IS GREAT STUFF.

>> HELLO.

Huell: AND YOU ALL ARE HOOKED UP TOGETHER HERE?

>> YEAH, WE'RE TRIPLE-HEADING TODAY.

[ENGINE RUMBLING] Huell: WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ENGINE?

>> THAT'S THE SAFETY VALVES POPPING OFF, THEY POP OFF AT A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE TO KEEP THE BOILERS FROM EXPLODING, JUST LIKE THE REAL ONES.

Huell: THAT IS AMAZING!

HE'S STEAMING UP HIS ENGINE JUST LIKE A BIG ONE.

>> JUST LIKE A BIG ONE, ONLY SMALLER.

Huell: SOME OF THESE LOOK A LITTLE MORE AUTHENTIC THAN OTHERS, AND THIS ONE, YOURS REALLY LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING.

>> THIS IS PRETTY AUTHENTIC, IT'S MODELED AFTER A REAL ENGINE.

Huell: THIS IS THE LITTLEST ENGINE I HAVE EVER SEEN, PULLING A FULL GROWN--WHAT'S THE STORY ON THIS?

>> WELL, THERE'S ONE SMALLER THAN THIS, PULLED ME AROUND.

Huell: WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THIS?

WHAT'S IT-- >> 3/4 INCH SCALE, IT'S A LITTLE OLD SWITCHER, TANK ENGINE.

Huell: HOW OLD IS THIS THING?

>> 40 YEARS OLD, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

Huell: WOW.

YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST, I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH YOU!

THERE HE GOES!

>> CATCH YOU NEXT TIME AROUND.

SEE YA, BRUCE!

Huell: HE'S MOVING.

>> HELLO!

Huell: WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I HAD EXPECTED, BUT THIS IS ABOUT AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT GETS HERE WITH THESE TREES, WITH THE TRAINS, AND WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON HERE.

IT'S A WONDERFUL, MAGICAL, MAGICAL PLACE HERE IN GRIFFITH PARK.

AND WE'RE GONNA PUT THE DATES AND THE TIMES THAT IT'S HERE FOR PEOPLE.

I HOPE TOO MANY PEOPLE DON'T JAM IN ON YOU RIGHT AWAY.

BUT I TELL YOU WHAT, THIS IS-- NICE TO MEET YOU!

THIS IS ABOUT AS MUCH FUN AS I THINK YOU CAN HAVE IN L.A. >> WELL, WE WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY ENJOYED SHARING IT WITH EVERYBODY EVERY SUNDAY.

Huell: AND YOU'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS NOW.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

2006 WILL BE OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY, SO WE'RE 46 YEARS HERE NOW.

Huell: WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING SUNDAYS I HAVE EVER SPENT IN MY LIFE.

LIKE I SAY, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IN THE WORLD I'VE BEEN ALL THESE YEARS.

I'VE LIVED IN L.A. OVER 20 YEARS.

I NEVER EVER KNEW THIS EXISTED.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE REST OF THE RAILROAD BEYOND THE TUNNELS?

Huell: THERE'S MORE?

>> QUITE A BIT MORE.

Huell: THAT'LL HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER DAY.

I'LL BE BACK.

AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL COME DOWN HERE, TOO, TO GRIFFITH PARK, AND ENJOY A WONDERFUL SUNDAY WITH THE LIVE STEAMERS.

IT'S FREE, AND IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] >> VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.