ANAHEIM : Milestone for Disney Locomotive

Disneyland on Monday celebrated the 100th birthday of the little engine that could--a vintage steam locomotive that’s graced railroad tracks since 1894.

Steam Train No. 3 is one of four engines that make up the Disneyland Railroad. The railroad transports passengers around the park, with stops on Main Street, New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland.

The train was brought to Disneyland in 1957. Before that, it was used to transport sugar cane from the Godchaux Sugar Co. in rural Louisiana to the port in New Orleans, said Disney spokesman John McClintock.

Disney executives in the 1950s had a special fondness for trains, and company founder Walt Disney even had a small train in his back yard, McClintock said.

After the engine was purchased by Disney, it was brought to Disney’s Burbank studios, where designers restored it.

Former Disney animator Ward Kimball was on hand for Monday’s celebration.