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Folsom’s
Ghost Train a work of passion for creator - 20081103
By Don Chaddock, The Telegraph
Animatronics, the art of making
life-like mannequins move and react to motion, is a staple
at Disneyland with rides such as the Haunted House and Pirates
of the Caribbean – as well as Folsom’s Ghost Train.
What started as a hobby for Fair Oaks resident
Larry Scholl has turned into a regular Halloween ride at Folsom
City Lions Park on Natoma Street.
Scholl knows a thing or two about storytelling
– he’s been employed by Disney on various films
and TV shows including “Mulan” and the new “Tinker
Bell” movie opening this fall.
“We have no live actors in (the Ghost
Train),” Scholl said. “It’s all animatronic.”
He said there are more than 50 animated characters
on the ride and the ride grows each year.
“This is our fifth year,” Scholl
said. “I look back and don’t know how it got this
big.”
His day job finds him behind the drawing board
working on the animation storyboards for Disney and other
companies.
Scholl said he adds something to the ride
every year and when the season passes, the characters are
removed and used elsewhere.
This year, Scholl worked through the city
to receive his permits and operate the Ghost Train as an official
business.
Giving the ride a try was 6-year-old Jason
Riviello of Roseville.
“It was kind of scary and it was fun,”
he said. “The big dog that came up with scary. We’re
going to come back.”
The ride runs Thursday through Sunday all
the way through Halloween.from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $8
per person. For more information, call 965-1217 or visit larryscholl.net.
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