Walt Disney World Railroad
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Walt Disney World Railroad (WDWRR) is a 1.5-mile long narrow gauge railroad circling the Magic Kingdom Park. Operated by Main Street Operations, the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) railroad circles the entire park with stations at Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, and Mickey's Toontown Fair, and is one of the busiest steam-powered railroads in the country, transporting over 1.5 million passengers each year.
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[edit] History
Walt Disney 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 in later parks in Paris and Tokyo.
Disney scouts, lead by Roger Broggie, purchased five locomotives from Ferrocarrilles Unidos de Yucatan (United Railways of Yucatan) on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula in 1968. One of the five was deemed to be in too poor a condition to be restored and was later sold; the other four were brought to Tampa Shipyards in Tampa, Florida and restored by a crew headed by Disney imagineer and accomplished live steam builder Bob Harpur. New diesel boilers were constructed for the trains by Dixon Boiler Works of Los Angeles, California and the trains themselves were cosmetically backdated to appear older, including the use of bright colors and polished brass. The trains went into use 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 arriving at Frontierland, it went to Duckberg Station in what was then named Mickey's Birthdayland. During November 1990 - 1991, when Splash Mountain was under construction, the train only had one destination: it went backwards to Mickey's Starland, and then back to the Main Street U.S.A. station.
In recent years it has become necessary for the locomotives and some of the passenger cars to be overhauled. Key modifications to the passenger coaches in the past have involved removing the PA system/conductor's panel from a position on the rear of the third car, leaving the panel on a deck at the rear of the train for safer operation. Side panels were also recently added to the outside-facing sides of the coaches to keep passengers' legs (and other body parts) from reaching out the sides of the cars.
[edit] The Trains
The railroad has four different locomotives and four sets of passenger cars. The four locomotives are rebuilt narrow-gauge locomotives, originally built more than seventy years ago by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia.
The railroad rosters four complete trainsets. A regular train consists of a steam locomotive, tender, and five passenger cars with a capacity of approximately 360 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 two or three trips (or circuits) around the park. The water tower is located at the Mickey's Toontown Fair station.
[edit] Train Identification
It is easiest to identify each locomotive by its number and the name boards on the side of the cab. While cars may be switched to run behind different locomotives, each typically remains with the below sets of cars:
- Red - No 1. Walter E. Disney (cars 101-105)
- Green - No 2. Lilly Belle (cars 201-205)
- Green - No. 3 Roger E. Broggie (cars 301-305)
- Blue - No. 4 Roy O. Disney (cars 401-405)
[edit] The Locomotives
Each of the four locomotives is named after those who greatly contributed to the efforts of the Disney Company and Walt Disney World.
[edit] No. 1 "Walter E. Disney"
This locomotive is named for the man behind the mouse, Walt Disney (1901-1966). Walt loved railroads and his parks have always displayed his love for trains.
- Built: 1925
- Wheel Configuration: 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler"
- Construction: 58444
- Locomotive Colors: Red
- Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 67000 pounds (30,390 kg)
[edit] No. 2 "Lilly Belle"
The Lilly Belle is named after Walt Disney's wife Lillian Disney (born Lillian Marie Bounds) (1899-1997). "Lilly Belle" was also the name of the scaled-down steam locomotive Disney ran in his own backyard.
- Built: 1928
- Wheel Configuration: 2-6-0 "Mogul"
- Construction Number : 60598
- Locomotive Color: Green
- Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 61000 pounds (27,669 kg)
Lilly Belle has been retired from day to day passenger service and has been made the show train. All cars on her train except for the last do not have the new side plates. She is steamed up for the opening show where she brings Mickey Mouse and company to the front entrance. She is then brought back to the roundhouse and put on standby. Should one of the other trains have a problem, Lilly Belle would be attached to the other train's cars, since it takes several hours to add or remove the siding.
It should also be noted that Lilly Belle was built in 1928, which would make her as old as Mickey Mouse.
[edit] No. 3 "Roger E. Broggie"
This locomotive is named after Roger E. Broggie (1908-1991), who lead 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.
- Built: 1925
- Wheel Configuration: 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
- Construction: 58445
- Locomotive Colors: Red/Green
- Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 67000 pounds (30,390 kg)
[edit] 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 in Walt's honor to "Walt Disney World" and died just shortly after the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.
- Year Built: 1916
- Wheel Configuration: 4-4-0 "American"
- Serial Number: 42915
- Locomotive Colors: Red/Green
- Driver Diameter: 46 inches (116 cm)
- Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 51000 pounds (23,133 kg)
[edit] Operation
The railroad operates daily, taking its first passengers at 9 AM, year-round. For safety reasons it is closed during the fireworks show due to its proximity to the staging area (about 100 yards (91 m) or so behind Fantasyland), and also does not operate during special events such as Grad Nite, Night of Joy, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
A round trip on the WDWRR takes around 20 minutes.
[edit] Crew
Each locomotive is manned by three Disney "cast members," a Conductor, an engineer, and a fireman. The engineer is charged with operation of the locomotive and the fireman is responsible for maintaining the fire as well as water level in the boiler.
The Conductors are responsible for the operation and safety of each station and the trains. Duties as station attendants involve passenger counts, answering questions and assisting passengers. 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 rotation.
There are three different rotations that conductors can be assigned to. Conductors are in each spot of the rotation for 20 minutes. The rotation is also assigned a train. The two main rotations are the Frontierland rotation and the Toontown/Main Street rotation. When there is a third train, only two conductors work that train. One rides for a lap while the other is on break. They switch every 20 minutes when the train arrives at Main Street. Unlike the other conductors, the third train crew opens and closes the third train.
[edit] Opening
Early in the morning the first crew arrives at the enginehouse 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. 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 to operate), 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, known as hostling.
As the atomizer requires around 30 pounds/inch² (206,842 Pa) 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 park.
Once the boiler has reacher 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 into the park.
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 running the train and running a red block light. The safety valves are set to release excess steam to maintain the boiler's maximum certified working pressure. Running the block light will trigger the brakes automatically, and this system is tested daily to insure it is 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 line the second is not far behind. As this is going on, other conductors arrive at the stations in the park and prepare for the trains' arrival.
[edit] 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 Toontown Fair and Main Street stations or in the Toontown Fair station. Typically, two trains are used daily, with a third sometimes coming out 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. The second and third trains keep up with the first train as much as possible. The goal is to have the first train at Main Street Station on the hour and at :20 and :40 past. If the trains fall behind, they will need to catch up or drop behind a lap to get the first train to the top of the hour. This is necessary to facilitate proper closing procedures on the park's schedule.
[edit] Block Signals
The block signals let the engineers and 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 in the stations and prevents the train from having to stop in between stations. In a three train operation conductors can move 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, nor are there enough blocks to do so safely.
[edit] Whistles
As with any railroad, the whistles you hear all have meaning as they are warning/signaling devices. Many guests are unaware that whistles/horns' primary purpose was in fact communication. On the WDWRR, engineers use the whistle 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 is in command. At the stations, engineers will request to depart by signaling with 2 short whistles. The conductor will signal it is safe to do so by buzzing the cab with two shorts. The common whistles on the WDWRR are listed below:
- One Short - Attention
- Two Short – Forward Movement
- Three Short – Reverse Movement
- One Long, One Short – Approaching 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 / Emergent stop.
- Four Long – Train in distress.
Along with this, the train bell is rung several times, to indicate the departure or arrival of the train at a station. Like the whistle, the bell is operated manually.
[edit] Closing
At the end of the evening the conductors announce the departure of the last train. All guests can ride until the train arrives back at Main Street. Once back at Main Street the conductors walk the length of the train to ensure that there are no passengers remaining and any items left behind are unloaded to the station attendants and brought to lost and found. The procedure is the same for all trains.
After the train is cleared for departure, the conductor will signal the engineers with the forward movement signal. The train then departs for the Toontown Fair station. As the train passes through Frontierland, the station attendants can give a "thumbs up" indicating that they would like to jump aboard and will do so while the train is in motion. Once a train arrives at Toontown, the conductor jumps off and throws the switch to allow the train to back to the roundhouse.
At this point the engineer relies on the conductor to guide the train to back towards the enginehouse. The fireman will jump off the train to throw the Toontown switch back to allow another train to leave if one remains, otherwise the switch is left where it is. At each switch and crossing the conductor will signal to let the engineer know that the train successfully cleared a switch and can continue. This continues until the train is backed completely into the roundhouse.
[edit] Trivia and Tidbits
- The Walter E. Disney and Roger Broggie locomotives have serial numbers that are sequential (58444 and 58445). These locomotives were on the shop floor at the same time in 1925 for the U de Y and still operate together to this day.
- During locomotive refurbishing, it was common to see the passenger cars from one locomotive to be placed on another. While most guests wouldn't notice such a switch, railroad cast members behind the scenes often referred to these trains with a hybrid name. 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" It is recommended that you reserve spots in advance if you wish to attend. Park Admission is required.
- Originally, a fifth locomotive was brought up from Mexico. It had been displayed in a park across from the railroad tracks in Merida 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 its disposition is unknown. It was presumed 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 deemed too large to operate in California and was dedicated as #5 "Ward Kimball". Unfortunately, the locomotive never pulled a revenue train on the WDWRR as it was found to be far too small for operation on the WDWRR. It was displayed at Epcot during Black History Month in 1996, and later returned to the WDWRR enginehouse. It was traded in 1999 to Cedar Point for a smaller Forney locomotive which was restored and is now Disneyland Railroad #5 "Ward Kimball".
- On the trip from Mickey's ToonTown to the Main Street U.S.A., "Night Fire Dance" by Andreas Vollenweider from the old Tomorrowland area music can be heard during the narration.
