Walt Disney World Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Walt Disney World Railroad (or WDWRR for short) is a narrow gauge railroad circling the Magic Kingdom
theme park at Walt Disney World Resort
. Operated by Main Street Operations, the gauge, 1.5-mile (2.4 km) railroad circles the entire park with stations at Main Street, U.S.A.
and Frontierland
, and formerly at the now-closed Mickey's Toontown Fair. One of the busiest steam-powered railroads, it transports over 1.5 million passengers each year.
was an avid railroad enthusiast, who had built a miniature steam railroad, called the Carolwood Pacific Railroad
, in his backyard. A full-size, narrow gauge railroad known as the Disneyland Railroad
had been included in the design of Disneyland, and would be included at later parks in Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong. For Walt Disney World, Disney scouts Roger Broggie and Earl Vilmer found and purchased five locomotives from Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatan
(United Railways of Yucatan) on Mexico's Yucatan
peninsula in 1969.
One of the five, deemed to be in too poor a condition to be restored, was sold and presumed scrapped. The other four were brought by rail to the Tampa Shipyards in Tampa, Florida
and restored by a crew headed by Disney Imagineer and accomplished live steam builder Bob Harpur. New boilers were constructed for the trains by Dixon Boiler Works of Los Angeles, California
and the locomotives themselves were cosmetically backdated to appear older; which included the addition of diamond smoke stacks, boiler jackets, as well as the use of bright colors and polished brass. The tenders were also completely rebuilt and new fiberglass cabs were manufactured and installed on the locomotives. In addition, a total of twenty open-air excursion cars were constucted at the shipyards, each of which could seat up to seventy five passengers. The trains went into service with the opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971.
During 1989–1990, the train played different versions of a song called "Mickey's Birthdayland Express" and "Rollin' on the Walt Disney World Express". After departing Frontierland, the train traveled to Duckberg Station in what was then named Mickey's Birthdayland. During November 1990–1991, when Splash Mountain
was under construction, the train had only one destination: it went backwards to Mickey's Starland, and then forward back to Main Street U.S.A. It was also during this time that the original Frontierland Station was demolished to make way for Splash Mountain and the current Frontierland Station was constructed.
In recent years, several of the locomotives and some of the passenger coaches have been overhauled. Key modifications to the passenger coaches have involved moving the PA system/conductor's spiel panel from a position on the rear of the third car to the rear platform on the last car. This lets the conductor see the entire train at one time which allows for safer operation. Side panels were added to the outside-facing sides of the coaches in 2009 to keep passengers from sticking their legs and feet outside of the cars. One set of coaches does not have these outside-facing panels because it is used exclusively for the park opening ceremonies that are held each morning. Characters ride the train to Main Street Station, disembark on the outer station platform and participate in the park opening song and dance performance.
On February 12, 2011, Mickey's Toontown Fair was permanently closed to make way for an expansion to Fantasyland. As a result, the Toontown Station was closed and demolished and a new Fantasyland Station is currently being built in its place. The new Fantasyland Station will feature restroom facilities and will be themed to the Casey Junior circus train from the Dumbo
animated film. Following the closure of Toontown Station, a new on-board narration was introduced, which referenced the Fantasyland expansion and referred to the former Toontown Station stop as the "Watering Outpost" during construction since trains were still required to stop there in order to top off the tender with water and maintain the railroad's operating schedule.
s and four sets of passenger cars. The four locomotives are narrow-gauge locomotives, built between 1916 and 1928 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
of Philadelphia
.
A regular train consists of a steam locomotive, tender, and five passenger cars with a capacity of approximately 365 passengers and 2 wheelchairs. The tender has a capacity for 1,837 U.S. gallons (6,953 l) of water and 664 U.S. gallons (2,513 l) of fuel oil. The tender needs to be topped off with water every three or four trips (or circuits) around the park. The water tower is located at the former Mickey's Toontown Fair station, nessesitaing the trains still stop there to refill.
(1901–1966). Walt loved railroads and his parks have always displayed his love for trains.
(born Lillian Marie Bounds) (1899–1997). "Lilly Belle" is also the name of the scaled-down steam locomotive Disney ran in his own backyard and the parlour car of the Disneyland Railroad
. It should also be noted that Lilly Belle was built in 1928, which would make her as old as Mickey Mouse.
Lilly Belle has been retired from day to day passenger service due to frame issues and is used exclusively for the daily park opening ceremonies. All of the coaches on her train set except for the last car do not have the new side panels so that the characters on the train may exit onto the outside platform at Main Street Station. She is steamed up for the opening show where she brings Mickey Mouse and company to Main Street Station. Following the show, she is then brought back to the roundhouse and put on standby. Should one of the other trains encounter a problem during the day, Lilly Belle would be attached to another train's coaches since it takes several hours to add or remove the side panels to the cars.
(1908–1991), who led the effort of acquiring the locomotives for the Walt Disney World Railroad and helped build Disney's own Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Roger Broggie was also the original Disney Imagineer
who worked on the EPCOT
Project.
Roy was offered to have the second 4-6-0
(which is now the "Roger Broggie") named after him, so that the Walt Disney and Roy Disney engines would be alike, but he refused because he "didn't want to be compared to all the great things Walt had done." The Roy O. Disney was the only WDWRR locomotive that was not steaming at the park on Opening Day 1971. Its restoration was not finished until December of that year, shortly after Roy's Death, thus allowing the company to name the locomotive in his honor.
). Currently the policy is to remove the trains back to the roundhouse one hour before fireworks. The trains do not operate during special events such as Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party
, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
. A round trip on the WDWRR takes approximately 20 minutes.
Duties as station attendants involve passenger counts, answering questions and assisting passengers on and off of the trains. While on the train, the conductor runs the spiel box and makes safety announcements. Trains cannot move without approval from the conductor. The conductors work in a rotation, each of which is assigned to a specific train. There are three different rotations to which conductors may be assigned. Conductors are in each spot of the rotation for 20 minutes. The two main rotations, called roundhouses, are called Roundhouse 1 (RH1) and Roundhouse 2 (RH2). A third rotation, called Roundhouse 3 (RH3) is only added when a third train is needed during peak crowd days at the park.
The RH1 rotation is responsible for the Fronterland Station platform, Frontierland Station Greeter, RH1 Train Conductor and RH1 Breaker. The RH2 Rotation is responsible for the Main Street Station platform, the Fantasyland Station (formerly Mickey's Toontown Fair Station) platform, RH2 Train Conductor and RH2 Breaker. When there is a third train in operation, the RH3 rotation is responsible for the Fantasyland Station platform, RH3 Train Conductor and RH3 Breaker.
The first crew will prep and take out the first train listed on the board. A crew consists of 3 individuals: the engineer (charged with operation of the locomotive), the fireman (charged with operation of the boiler to provide the steam for the locomotive), and the conductor (charged with management and safe operation of the train and its passengers). Safety and readiness checks are performed by the conductor as the enginemen prepare the locomotive for a day of operation, which is known in the railroading industry as hostling.
As the atomizer requires around 30 pounds/inch² (200 kPa
) of steam pressure to operate, a compressed air line must be tapped into the atomizer line when the fire is first lit until enough steam has been raised to re-light the fire atomizing on steam. The conductor, who is in charge of the train and its motion at all times, will inspect the track and arrangement of the switches in the yard outside of the roundhouse to ensure the train will have safe passage out of the roundhouse all the way to the main line around park.
Once the boiler has reached working pressure and the engineers are ready to go, they will signal using the forward motion whistle (2 short whistles). After a reply from the conductor's buzzer (2 short buzzes) recognizing the whistle signal, the train will proceed out of the roundhouse, the length of one car at a time, so that the maintenance crew can complete the morning inspection of the running gear from the maintenance pit below the train.
At different times during the trip into the park the engineers will test the safety systems on the train. The two main tests include intentionally popping the safety valves and purposely running the train past a red block light. The safety valves are set to release excess steam to maintain the boiler's maximum certified working pressure and running the block light will automatically trigger the train brakes. These systems are tested daily to insure that they are working properly. These two tests are considered the most important to ensure safe operation of these steam trains. After the first train is on the main line, the second train is not far behind. As this process is going on, other conductors arrive at the stations in the park and prepare for the trains' arrival.
Each lap around the Magic Kingdom should be completed in approximately 20 minutes. This timing is established and maintained by the first train that is brought out onto the main line in the morning. The second and third trains keep up with the first train as much as possible. The goal is to have the first train arrive at Main Street Station on the hour and at :20 and :40 past. If any of the other trains fall behind, they will need to catch up or drop behind a lap to get the first train back on schedule. This is necessary to facilitate proper closing procedures on the park's schedule.
The lights typically change in this order in both directions:
Green <--> Yellow/Green <--> Red <--> Yellow/Red
In a two train operation the conductors will not allow the train to proceed on a Yellow/Green signal. This keeps the trains spaced for more consistent service to the stations and prevents the train from having to stop in between stations. In a three train operation conductors can dispatch trains on the yellow/green signal. The reason for this is because there will almost always be a train in the second block ahead. Four train operations are not possible as there is not enough space on the main line, nor are there enough blocks to do so safely.
While the train is operated as a team, the conductor has the final say in the operation of the train; he/she is in command. At the stations, engineers will request to depart by signaling with two short whistles. The conductor will signal it is safe to do so by buzzing the cab with two short buzzes. The common whistle patterns used on the WDWRR are as follows:
The train bell is rung upon the train's arrival at a station when the train is due to pick up passengers (thus not on the last trip when the station platform is clear of guests). As with the whistle, the bell being rung is an official and mandatory signaling sequence. This system is also used at the Disneyland Railroad
.
Once a train arrives at Fantasyland Station, the conductor steps off and throws the switch to allow the train to back into the roundhouse. At this point the engineer relies on the conductor to guide the train to back towards the roundhouse, which they do from the rear platform of the last coach. The fireman will throw the Fantasyland switch back to main line to allow trains still in operation to continue running; otherwise the switch is left where it is. At each switch and grade crossing crossing the conductor will signal to let the engineer know that the train successfully cleared it and can continue. This continues until the train is backed completely into the roundhouse.
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
theme park at Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
. Operated by Main Street Operations, the gauge, 1.5-mile (2.4 km) railroad circles the entire park with stations at Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street, U.S.A. is the first "themed land" inside the main entrance of the many 'Magic Kingdom'-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world....
and Frontierland
Frontierland
Tokyo Disneyland's instance is known as Westernland, as "frontier" does not adequately translate into the Japanese language. The Mark Twain sails this park's Rivers of America...
, and formerly at the now-closed Mickey's Toontown Fair. One of the busiest steam-powered railroads, it transports over 1.5 million passengers each year.
History
Walt DisneyWalt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
was an avid railroad enthusiast, who had built a miniature steam railroad, called the Carolwood Pacific Railroad
Carolwood Pacific Railroad
The Carolwood Pacific Railroad was a live steam backyard railroad, built by the American animated film producer and animator, Walt Disney in the backyard of his home in California, USA....
, in his backyard. A full-size, narrow gauge railroad known as the Disneyland Railroad
Disneyland Railroad
The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, United States, that was inaugurated on the park's live television preview on July 17, 1955. This live steam railway was constructed for $240,000; each of the...
had been included in the design of Disneyland, and would be included at later parks in Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong. For Walt Disney World, Disney scouts Roger Broggie and Earl Vilmer found and purchased five locomotives from Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatan
Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatan
Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatán was a narrow gauge railroad that operated in the state of Yucatán in Mexico. Four steam locomotives were bought and rebuilt by The Walt Disney Company and are currently operating at the Walt Disney World Railroad.- Facts :...
(United Railways of Yucatan) on Mexico's Yucatan
Yucatán
Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida....
peninsula in 1969.
One of the five, deemed to be in too poor a condition to be restored, was sold and presumed scrapped. The other four were brought by rail to the Tampa Shipyards in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
and restored by a crew headed by Disney Imagineer and accomplished live steam builder Bob Harpur. New boilers were constructed for the trains by Dixon Boiler Works of Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and the locomotives themselves were cosmetically backdated to appear older; which included the addition of diamond smoke stacks, boiler jackets, as well as the use of bright colors and polished brass. The tenders were also completely rebuilt and new fiberglass cabs were manufactured and installed on the locomotives. In addition, a total of twenty open-air excursion cars were constucted at the shipyards, each of which could seat up to seventy five passengers. The trains went into service with the opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971.
During 1989–1990, the train played different versions of a song called "Mickey's Birthdayland Express" and "Rollin' on the Walt Disney World Express". After departing Frontierland, the train traveled to Duckberg Station in what was then named Mickey's Birthdayland. During November 1990–1991, when Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is a themed log flume attraction at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort, based on the characters, stories and songs from the 1946 Disney film Song of the South...
was under construction, the train had only one destination: it went backwards to Mickey's Starland, and then forward back to Main Street U.S.A. It was also during this time that the original Frontierland Station was demolished to make way for Splash Mountain and the current Frontierland Station was constructed.
In recent years, several of the locomotives and some of the passenger coaches have been overhauled. Key modifications to the passenger coaches have involved moving the PA system/conductor's spiel panel from a position on the rear of the third car to the rear platform on the last car. This lets the conductor see the entire train at one time which allows for safer operation. Side panels were added to the outside-facing sides of the coaches in 2009 to keep passengers from sticking their legs and feet outside of the cars. One set of coaches does not have these outside-facing panels because it is used exclusively for the park opening ceremonies that are held each morning. Characters ride the train to Main Street Station, disembark on the outer station platform and participate in the park opening song and dance performance.
On February 12, 2011, Mickey's Toontown Fair was permanently closed to make way for an expansion to Fantasyland. As a result, the Toontown Station was closed and demolished and a new Fantasyland Station is currently being built in its place. The new Fantasyland Station will feature restroom facilities and will be themed to the Casey Junior circus train from the Dumbo
Dumbo
Dumbo is a 1941 American animated film produced by Walt Disney and released on October 23, 1941, by RKO Radio Pictures.The fourth film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, Dumbo is based upon the storyline written by Helen Aberson and illustrated by Harold Pearl for the prototype of a...
animated film. Following the closure of Toontown Station, a new on-board narration was introduced, which referenced the Fantasyland expansion and referred to the former Toontown Station stop as the "Watering Outpost" during construction since trains were still required to stop there in order to top off the tender with water and maintain the railroad's operating schedule.
Trains
The railroad has four different locomotiveLocomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s and four sets of passenger cars. The four locomotives are narrow-gauge locomotives, built between 1916 and 1928 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
A regular train consists of a steam locomotive, tender, and five passenger cars with a capacity of approximately 365 passengers and 2 wheelchairs. The tender has a capacity for 1,837 U.S. gallons (6,953 l) of water and 664 U.S. gallons (2,513 l) of fuel oil. The tender needs to be topped off with water every three or four trips (or circuits) around the park. The water tower is located at the former Mickey's Toontown Fair station, nessesitaing the trains still stop there to refill.
Locomotives
Each of the four locomotives is named after those who greatly contributed to the efforts of the Disney Company and Walt Disney World.No. 1 "Walter E. Disney"
This locomotive is named for the man behind the mouse, Walt DisneyWalt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
(1901–1966). Walt loved railroads and his parks have always displayed his love for trains.
- Built: 1925
- Wheel Configuration: 4-6-04-6-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
"Ten-Wheeler" - Serial Number: 58444
- Locomotive Colors: Red cab with red boiler jacket
- Coach Color: Red with red poles
- Coach Number Series: 100
- Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 67000 pounds (30,390 kg)
- Status: Operational
No. 2 "Lilly Belle"
The Lilly Belle is named after Walt Disney's wife Lillian DisneyLillian Disney
Lillian Disney was the wife of Walt Disney. She was married to him from 1925 until his death in 1966.-Early years:...
(born Lillian Marie Bounds) (1899–1997). "Lilly Belle" is also the name of the scaled-down steam locomotive Disney ran in his own backyard and the parlour car of the Disneyland Railroad
Disneyland Railroad
The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, United States, that was inaugurated on the park's live television preview on July 17, 1955. This live steam railway was constructed for $240,000; each of the...
. It should also be noted that Lilly Belle was built in 1928, which would make her as old as Mickey Mouse.
- Built: 1928
- Wheel Configuration: 2-6-02-6-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, usually in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This arrangement is commonly called a Mogul...
"Mogul" - Serial Number : 60598
- Locomotive Color: Green cab with green boiler jacket
- Coach Color: Green with green poles
- Coach Number Series: 200
- Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 61000 pounds (27,669 kg)
- Status: Undergoing Refurbishment
Lilly Belle has been retired from day to day passenger service due to frame issues and is used exclusively for the daily park opening ceremonies. All of the coaches on her train set except for the last car do not have the new side panels so that the characters on the train may exit onto the outside platform at Main Street Station. She is steamed up for the opening show where she brings Mickey Mouse and company to Main Street Station. Following the show, she is then brought back to the roundhouse and put on standby. Should one of the other trains encounter a problem during the day, Lilly Belle would be attached to another train's coaches since it takes several hours to add or remove the side panels to the cars.
No. 3 "Roger E. Broggie"
This locomotive is named after Roger E. BroggieRoger E. Broggie
Roger E. Broggie was an American mechanical engineer who worked with Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Company.-Early life:...
(1908–1991), who led the effort of acquiring the locomotives for the Walt Disney World Railroad and helped build Disney's own Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Roger Broggie was also the original Disney Imagineer
Imagineer
Imagineer may refer to:* Disney Imagineer, a position at the Walt Disney company* Imagineer Systems, a visual effects software company* Imagineer , a Japanese video game, mobile, software company...
who worked on the EPCOT
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
Project.
- Built: 1925
- Wheel Configuration: 4-6-04-6-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
"Ten Wheeler" - Serial Number: 58445
- Locomotive Colors: Red cab with green boiler jacket
- Coach Color: Yellow with red poles
- Coach Number Series: 300
- Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 67000 pounds (30,390 kg)
- Status: Operational
No. 4 "Roy O. Disney"
The Number 4 locomotive is named after Walt Disney's older brother and business partner, Roy Oliver Disney (1893–1971). Roy saw to the completion of his brother's dream after Walt's death in 1966 and completed the construction of then named "Disney World." Roy renamed the resort to "Walt Disney World" in Walt's honor and died just shortly after the Magic Kingdom opened in late 1971.Roy was offered to have the second 4-6-0
4-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
(which is now the "Roger Broggie") named after him, so that the Walt Disney and Roy Disney engines would be alike, but he refused because he "didn't want to be compared to all the great things Walt had done." The Roy O. Disney was the only WDWRR locomotive that was not steaming at the park on Opening Day 1971. Its restoration was not finished until December of that year, shortly after Roy's Death, thus allowing the company to name the locomotive in his honor.
- Built: 1916
- Wheel Configuration: 4-4-04-4-0Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels...
"American" - Serial Number: 42915
- Locomotive Colors: Green cab with red boiler jacket
- Coach Color: Blue with blue poles
- Coach Number Series: 400
- Driver Diameter: 46 inches (116 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 51000 pounds (23,133 kg)
- Status: Operational
Operation
The railroad operates daily, taking its first passengers at 9 AM, year-round. In the past, for safety reasons, it was closed during the fireworks show due to its proximity to the staging area (about 100 yards (91 m) or so behind FantasylandFantasyland
Fantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at the many Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Each Fantasyland has a castle as well as several gentle rides themed after Disney movies...
). Currently the policy is to remove the trains back to the roundhouse one hour before fireworks. The trains do not operate during special events such as Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party
Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party
Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party is a hard-ticketed event held throughout the months of January through June at the Magic Kingdom theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida outside Orlando, and starting in 2011 at Disneyland Paris Resort...
, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separate-admission Halloween-themed event held annually during the months of September and October at the Magic Kingdom theme park of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, outside Orlando, and at Disneyland Paris Resort outside Paris,...
and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a hard ticket event hosted at the Magic Kingdom theme park. It runs around mid-November and running until Christmas. The party is held on specific days announced at the Walt Disney World website. The event goes from 7:00 PM to midnight...
. A round trip on the WDWRR takes approximately 20 minutes.
Crew
Each train is manned by three cast members; a Conductor, an Engineer, and a Fireman. The engineer is charged with operation of the locomotive, the fireman is responsible for maintaining the fire as well as water level in the boiler and the conductor is responsible for the operation and safety of each station and train.Duties as station attendants involve passenger counts, answering questions and assisting passengers on and off of the trains. While on the train, the conductor runs the spiel box and makes safety announcements. Trains cannot move without approval from the conductor. The conductors work in a rotation, each of which is assigned to a specific train. There are three different rotations to which conductors may be assigned. Conductors are in each spot of the rotation for 20 minutes. The two main rotations, called roundhouses, are called Roundhouse 1 (RH1) and Roundhouse 2 (RH2). A third rotation, called Roundhouse 3 (RH3) is only added when a third train is needed during peak crowd days at the park.
The RH1 rotation is responsible for the Fronterland Station platform, Frontierland Station Greeter, RH1 Train Conductor and RH1 Breaker. The RH2 Rotation is responsible for the Main Street Station platform, the Fantasyland Station (formerly Mickey's Toontown Fair Station) platform, RH2 Train Conductor and RH2 Breaker. When there is a third train in operation, the RH3 rotation is responsible for the Fantasyland Station platform, RH3 Train Conductor and RH3 Breaker.
Opening
Early in the morning, the first crew arrives at the roundhouse to get the first train ready to depart. The maintenance crew will mark on the board which trains are to be used and the order they are to be removed from the roundhouse.The first crew will prep and take out the first train listed on the board. A crew consists of 3 individuals: the engineer (charged with operation of the locomotive), the fireman (charged with operation of the boiler to provide the steam for the locomotive), and the conductor (charged with management and safe operation of the train and its passengers). Safety and readiness checks are performed by the conductor as the enginemen prepare the locomotive for a day of operation, which is known in the railroading industry as hostling.
As the atomizer requires around 30 pounds/inch² (200 kPa
Pascal (unit)
The pascal is the SI derived unit of pressure, internal pressure, stress, Young's modulus and tensile strength, named after the French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer, and philosopher Blaise Pascal. It is a measure of force per unit area, defined as one newton per square metre...
) of steam pressure to operate, a compressed air line must be tapped into the atomizer line when the fire is first lit until enough steam has been raised to re-light the fire atomizing on steam. The conductor, who is in charge of the train and its motion at all times, will inspect the track and arrangement of the switches in the yard outside of the roundhouse to ensure the train will have safe passage out of the roundhouse all the way to the main line around park.
Once the boiler has reached working pressure and the engineers are ready to go, they will signal using the forward motion whistle (2 short whistles). After a reply from the conductor's buzzer (2 short buzzes) recognizing the whistle signal, the train will proceed out of the roundhouse, the length of one car at a time, so that the maintenance crew can complete the morning inspection of the running gear from the maintenance pit below the train.
At different times during the trip into the park the engineers will test the safety systems on the train. The two main tests include intentionally popping the safety valves and purposely running the train past a red block light. The safety valves are set to release excess steam to maintain the boiler's maximum certified working pressure and running the block light will automatically trigger the train brakes. These systems are tested daily to insure that they are working properly. These two tests are considered the most important to ensure safe operation of these steam trains. After the first train is on the main line, the second train is not far behind. As this process is going on, other conductors arrive at the stations in the park and prepare for the trains' arrival.
In Service
When the park opens, the first train departs from Main Street Station. The second will be just behind; at the block light between Fantasyland and Main Street Stations or at the Fantasyland Station. Typically, two trains are used daily, with a third sometimes put into service on busy days later in the morning.Each lap around the Magic Kingdom should be completed in approximately 20 minutes. This timing is established and maintained by the first train that is brought out onto the main line in the morning. The second and third trains keep up with the first train as much as possible. The goal is to have the first train arrive at Main Street Station on the hour and at :20 and :40 past. If any of the other trains fall behind, they will need to catch up or drop behind a lap to get the first train back on schedule. This is necessary to facilitate proper closing procedures on the park's schedule.
Block Signals
The block signals let the engineers and train conductor know the position of the trains on the system. The block signals on the WDWRR resemble a typical traffic light with three lights that are green, yellow, and red. On the main line there are six blocks. Three of them are the stations which include some length of track before the station. The other three blocks are spread out with one between each station.The lights typically change in this order in both directions:
Green <--> Yellow/Green <--> Red <--> Yellow/Red
- Green Only: The next 2 blocks are completely clear. It is safe to proceed.
- Yellow and Green: The next block is clear, however, the block beyond is occupied. It is safe to proceed, but be prepared to stop at the next block.
- Red Only: The next block is occupied and it is not safe to proceed past this point.
- Yellow and Red: The next 2 blocks are both occupied; it is not safe to proceed past this point.
In a two train operation the conductors will not allow the train to proceed on a Yellow/Green signal. This keeps the trains spaced for more consistent service to the stations and prevents the train from having to stop in between stations. In a three train operation conductors can dispatch trains on the yellow/green signal. The reason for this is because there will almost always be a train in the second block ahead. Four train operations are not possible as there is not enough space on the main line, nor are there enough blocks to do so safely.
Whistles
As with any railroad, the whistles all have a meaning as they are warning/signaling devices. Many guests are unaware that a train whistles' primary purpose was in fact communication. On the WDWRR, engineers use distinct whistle patterns to communicate while the conductor uses the same patterns with a button which activates a buzzer in the cab of the locomotive.While the train is operated as a team, the conductor has the final say in the operation of the train; he/she is in command. At the stations, engineers will request to depart by signaling with two short whistles. The conductor will signal it is safe to do so by buzzing the cab with two short buzzes. The common whistle patterns used on the WDWRR are as follows:
- One Short – Attention
- Two Short – Forward Movement
- Three Short – Reverse Movement
- One Long, One Short – Approaching a Station
- One Long, Two Short – Crew spotted along track (also used as a general greeting)
- Two Long, One Short, One Long – Public Crossing ahead
- Two Long, One Short – Meeting Point (junction)
- One Long – Stop Immediately / Emergency stop.
- Four Long – Train in distress.
- Two Short, One Long, One Short – Engineer is acknowledging the maintenance crew
The train bell is rung upon the train's arrival at a station when the train is due to pick up passengers (thus not on the last trip when the station platform is clear of guests). As with the whistle, the bell being rung is an official and mandatory signaling sequence. This system is also used at the Disneyland Railroad
Disneyland Railroad
The Disneyland Railroad , originally the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, United States, that was inaugurated on the park's live television preview on July 17, 1955. This live steam railway was constructed for $240,000; each of the...
.
Closing
At the end of the evening the conductors at each station announce the departure of the last train. All guests may ride until the train finally arrives at Main Street Station for the last time. Upon arrival, the conductors walk the length of the train to ensure that there are no passengers remaining and any items accidentally left on board are unloaded and brought to lost and found by the station attendant. The procedure is the same for all trains.Once a train arrives at Fantasyland Station, the conductor steps off and throws the switch to allow the train to back into the roundhouse. At this point the engineer relies on the conductor to guide the train to back towards the roundhouse, which they do from the rear platform of the last coach. The fireman will throw the Fantasyland switch back to main line to allow trains still in operation to continue running; otherwise the switch is left where it is. At each switch and grade crossing crossing the conductor will signal to let the engineer know that the train successfully cleared it and can continue. This continues until the train is backed completely into the roundhouse.
Other information
- The Walter E. Disney and Roger E. Broggie locomotives have serial numbers that are sequential (58444 and 58445). These locomotives were on the shop floor at the same time in 1925 as they were being built for the United Railways of Yucatan and still operate together to this day. Because of this, they are referred to as the "twins".
- During locomotive refurbishments, it is not uncommon to see the passenger cars from one locomotive being pulled by another. While most guests don't notice such a switch, WDWRR cast members often refer to these trains with a hybrid name amongst one another. Examples include - "Roger Disney”, "Walter Broggie", "Walter Belle" and many other confusing combinations.
- The Magic Kingdom offers a behind the scenes tour of the Walt Disney World Railroad on select days of the week, called "The Magic Behind our Steam Trains Tour". It is recommended that guests reserve spots in advance if they wish to attend (park admission is required).
- Originally, a fifth locomotive was brought up from MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It had been displayed in a park across from the railroad tracks in Mérida and brought to Tampa with the other four, however, was found to be in poor shape and was not restored. It was sold to a party in California and it is presumed that it has since been scrapped.
- In 1995, Southern California railroad enthusiast Bill Norred traded his 1927 Davenport locomotive (a 2-4-4 Forney type) to Disneyland in exchange for the five retired clerestory-roofed "Retlaw One" coaches. The locomotive was instead sent to Walt Disney World after it was deemed too large to operate in California and was dedicated as #5 "Ward Kimball". The WDWRR, however, felt that its four engines were sufficient for regular service, and expressed little interest in acquiring a fifth. Moreover, the #5 was found to be far too small for operation on the WDWRR. As a result, the engine never operated in regular service and, except for being displayed at Epcot during Black History Month in 1996 for a short time, remained stored in the fifth bay of the WDWRR enginehouse. It was traded in 1999 to Cedar PointCedar PointCedar Point is a 364 acre amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Cedar Point is the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than...
for a smaller Forney locomotive which was restored and now operates as the #5 "Ward Kimball" on the Disneyland Railroad.
- Previously, during the trip from Mickey's ToonTown to the Main Street U.S.A., "Night Fire Dance" by Andreas VollenweiderAndreas VollenweiderAndreas Vollenweider is a Swiss musician. His music has been categorized as World Music, Jazz, New Age and even Classical; two of his albums were number 1 on the Billboard charts simultaneously in the categories Classical, Jazz, Pop and Crossover for more than 11 weeks. His music could be...
from the old Tomorrowland area music could be heard during the narration.
- Several show scenes were built for viewing from the trains, including a jungle-themed railroad crossing in Adventureland, the flooded town of Tumbleweed at Big Thunder Mountain RailroadBig Thunder Mountain RailroadBig Thunder Mountain Railroad is an indoor/outdoor mine train roller coaster located in Frontierland at several Disneyland-style Disney Parks worldwide...
, a Plains IndiansPlains IndiansThe Plains Indians are the Indigenous peoples who live on the plains and rolling hills of the Great Plains of North America. Their colorful equestrian culture and resistance to White domination have made the Plains Indians an archetype in literature and art for American Indians everywhere.Plains...
camp and various small vignettes featuring woodland wildlife such as deerDeerDeer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, mooseMooseThe moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, alligators, frogs and rattlesnakes.
- Just before arriving at Frontierland Station, trains pass through Splash MountainSplash MountainSplash Mountain is a themed log flume attraction at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort, based on the characters, stories and songs from the 1946 Disney film Song of the South...
, where the ride's finale scene is visible along with a "Hidden MickeyHidden MickeyA Hidden Mickey is a representation of Mickey Mouse that has been inserted subtly into the design of a ride, attraction, or other location in a Disney theme park or elsewhere on Disney properties...
".
- Main Street Station was modeled after and closely resembles the former Victorian era railroad depot at Saratoga Springs, New YorkSaratoga Springs, New YorkSaratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...
.
- Recently, Mickey's Toontown Fair was demolished to make way for a new expansion of Fantasyland. A new Fantasyland Station is currently being built on the former Toontown Station site.
- A new on-board narration debuted in February 2011 which features a new narrator, eliminates the themed music, references more attractions within each land and highlights the new Fantasyland expansion.
See also
- Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment historyMagic Kingdom attraction and entertainment historyThe Magic Kingdom is a theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Below is a list of the current attractions found therein, arranged by "land" and with brief descriptions...
- Disneyland RailroadDisneyland RailroadThe Disneyland Railroad , originally the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, is a narrow gauge railroad at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, United States, that was inaugurated on the park's live television preview on July 17, 1955. This live steam railway was constructed for $240,000; each of the...
- Carolwood Pacific RailroadCarolwood Pacific RailroadThe Carolwood Pacific Railroad was a live steam backyard railroad, built by the American animated film producer and animator, Walt Disney in the backyard of his home in California, USA....
- List of heritage railroads in the United States