Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum
Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum (LALS) is a non-profit public-benefit corporation that was founded in 1956 by live steam enthusiasts for the purpose of educating the public about railroad history and lore, and to promote the avocation of live steam and scale model railroad technology. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday. In 1956, all the locomotive model engines were steam powered, hence the name "Live Steamers". Over the years, gasoline powered models of diesel locomotives and battery-electric locomotives and trolleys have also become popular. The museum operates a 7 1⁄2 in (190.5 mm) gauge miniature railway on which these locomotives pull trains that the public can ride. The museum also has multiple layouts with smaller gauge track for model railroads.
Walt Disney's Carolwood Pacific Railroad "Barn" — his personal model railroad workshop building and creative space — was loaned to the City of Los Angeles by the Walt Disney Family Foundation in 1999 by Disney's heirs. Walt's Barn museum and Combine rail car are located within the Los Angeles Live Steamers complex. Complementary public admission is on the third Sunday of each month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — which coincides with LALS demonstrations of the stationary steam plant. Docents and volunteers of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society are on hand to answer any questions, offer informal tours, and elucidate displays about Disney's intimate relationship with railroading.