Railfanning Florida: The Walt Disney World Railroad

[takarlor12]

Mr. General? The union?

[2NY100]

Truly one of the best WDW railfan vids out there. Thank you very much! Did you get to take the morning tour?

[Fis10n]

damn i rode that back in 1999 when i was 4

[Timsierramist]

I like these engines better than the ones at Disneyland?

[Tonytambe]

@Timsierramist Agreed, the engines in Disneyland are like the size of Barney the Dinosaur.

[rickczapski]

well done. Makes me want to pack my bags.

[KSTsonic]

Fantastic Video. 

[headmouse]

Ok, I literally grew up at WDW, my father retired from there. We went at least 10 times a year. How did you get your camera into some of those locations?

[CSX6000]

@headmouse Which locations? There's only one that I can think of that's risqué.

[headmouse]

@CSX6000 At the switch that goes back to the round house. then camera on the wall, are the main ones.

[FlyBoyBigBlue]

Orlando, Florida in the Winter. Looks really cold, huh?  hahaha

[headmouse]

@FlyBoyBigBlue 99 Deg and climbing LOL

[originalcause]

I think the fireman at Anaheim said they are burning soybean oil.

[bkornre]

I was a steam locomotive engineer at Six Flags and Cedar Point. These are real steam trains. They burn atomized diesel fuel (like a flame thrower) in the firebox instead of coal or wood. This flame then heats up the firebox, which in turn boils the water in the boiler. The smoke stack is the direct exhaust/heat from the fire box after it travels through the boilers and clear steam after it is used in the cylinders. You only see steam come out of the cylinders when the "steam cock" is open.

[headmouse]

@bkornre I know train at Six Flags Over Georgia is not even close to being steam. LOL, only in looks, The huge diesel motor in the tender car and the exhaust plums that hit you in the face when it takes off from the station prove that.

[headmouse]

@atsf3780 No on has ever been hit by a train at any Disney park.

[atsf3780]

@headmouse i know...its a joke about the dislikes and the likes of the video

[headmouse]

@atsf3780 Ah. I must have missed that. LOL

[sssmre]

@atsf3780 That never happened in the 40 years they have been running. They have an entire division who's sole purpose is the safety of their guests. You would not believe the number of extra safety features built into these trains. They are Baldwin built about 1927, rebuilt in 1968, and very well maintained. They burn #2 fuel oil. The crew practically lives with them.

[boilerbob7]

Steam isn't as visible in warm weather. That's why winter fantrips are so popular.

[P51srules]

arnt most of them baldwan locos and wht about the ones at bush gardens

[Skiingiggy]

@P51srules to my knowledge, the locomotives at WDW are all baldwin locomotives. I don't know about Busch Gardens FL, but the ones in Busch Gardens VA are all locomotives built by Crown Locomotive Works. I think the ones in FL are as well, but I'm not entirely positive.

[oldtilter]

Looks Like A Fun Ride:)

[MrBeaconjoe]

These are reail steam locomotives, they burn #2 fuel oil. Oil burners burn very clean and emit very little smoke. The smoke actually hurts the engine, older oil burners burner bunker C (a crude oil) and burned very dirty.

[Nancyjean24]

Thanks for posting this. I enjoyed my ride!!! :+))

[cancerman50]

Did anyone else know that years ago there was another train in the fointer town resort. But it didn't last that long. I think it also went ot rivercountry.

[headmouse]

@cancerman50 That would be "Fort Wilderness". It ran from 1973 - early 1980's, on a 2.5 mile route and was used to transport guest staying at the Fort Wilderness resort grounds.

[ryebot]

I heart the big knee

[cancerman50]

I've seen steam locomotives and they usually put out a boatload more of smoke then these are. I'm not doubting that they are real steam locos but I think they have to have a second power source.

[318Captain]

@cancerman50 Im pretty sure they run off of propane or n02 fuel oil. They burn cleaner than coal nad less ash than wood. I dont rememeber at the moment what the originally burned at the one in califoria, but Im pretty sure it was fuel oil.

[headmouse]

@cancerman50 These trains are lighter then the traditional steam locomotive. They do not use coal to heat the boiler, but I assure you they are 100% steam. You can watch them fill the water tanks in the Toontown station now and then. (Toontown is no longer there, not sure what the plans are for the station and water tower.) I know the water tower used to be located in Frontierland, so they may move it back there.

[sssmre]

@headmouse The Toontown Station is being rebuilt & will become the Fantasyland Station once again. The water tower will remain where it is, as that is the most logical place for it. They top off the water every three trips around & add 250 gallons of fuel oil each night.

[headmouse]

@sssmre Good to know. Thanks for the update. :)

[ohiofoamer7612]

Nice. I go to Cedar Point in north west Ohio and they have a railroad just like this one.

[applesweeter]

so, this is a real steam train, isn't it?

In Disneyland Hong Kong, it is an electric powered train.

[CSX6000]

@applesweeter It is infact a real-life steam powered train.

[N7075]

@applesweeter yea its a real steam engine.. i believe they burn propane instead of coal, so there's a lot less smoke

[CSX6000]

@N7075 They burn No.2 Diesel Fuel.

[Tarnum1]

Look at 1:30. Where is the steam?

Look at the hundreds of REAL steam locomotives on YouTube, they release tons of steam, all the time.

I think Disney use a fake locomotive, with modern engine, playing recorded "steam" sounds.

[CSX6000]

@Tarnum1 Uhh how about you watch when they blow the whistle and open the cylinder cocks, the steam comes out because it's a real steam locomotive.

[maeryk]

@Tarnum1 All four are real steam engines. They were built in the US, and Disney scouts found them on a sugar cane plantation and brought them back to circle WDW. They are currently burning Bio-fuels, with 1% Diesel. There is "smoke" and "Steam" through a typical stack. Yes, coal trains release a LOT more smoke.. but everything at Disney is a real, honest to god, steam train.

[yerkees9891]

@Tarnum1 They're all legit steam locomotives built by Baldwin in or around the 1920s. They also all burn no. 2 diesel fuel, which doesn't let out as much smoke. When you say you see engines let out "tons of steam, all the time", you're seeing smoke.

[sssmre]

@Tarnum1 Ypu're mistaking steam with smoke. Many videos of steam locomotives you see are either coal fired under heavy load, or oil fired in an excursion setting doing a run-by for pictures. When they do that, they can adjust the mixture to put out more smoke, as it looks better for the camera. In reality, they put out very little smoke under normal running, but will occasionally release steam to maintain the proper pressure level. It's the steam that drives the cylinders, not the smoke.

[sssmre]

@Tarnum1 You're mistaking steam with smoke. Many videos of steam locomotives you see are either coal fired under heavy load, or oil fired in an excursion setting doing a run-by for pictures. When they do that, they can adjust the mixture to put out more smoke, as it looks better for the camera. In reality, they put out very little smoke under normal running, but will occasionally release steam to maintain the proper pressure level. It's the steam that drives the cylinders, not the smoke.

[headmouse]

@CSX6000 Oops yeah what he said. :)

[soundguyjr]

@N7075 it is illegal to burn coal in steam locomotives in Florida ...

[pennyf9]

@soundguyjr how come?

[soundguyjr]

@pennyf9 There is too large a fire risk associated with coal ashes from locomotives in the brush along the right-of-way

[pennyf9]

@soundguyjr oh, ok. fire hazard.

[headmouse]

@N7075 It's diesel not propane. :)

[Tonytambe]

I'm Going January 2011. I'm Filming This Ride

[tropicalfishswim]

From 7:35 to 7:40, what is that steam coming from behind #4? Was another engine idling there?

[CSX6000]

@tropicalfishswim No.

[Tonytambe]

@tropicalfishswim Its A Wheelslip

[amtrakseptaguy11]

i was just there 2  weeks ago

[steampower2001]

Are those Lilly Belle's cars on Roy O Disney? Because when I want Roy had blue cars.

[blingkid823]

nice vid man I was thinking about being the engeneer if I join that railroad

for my first job there was one time I got a picture near the locomotive next to

the engineer at main street station.

[Nancyjean24]

Thanks for posting such a high quality video. There's nothing like grabbing a candy apple at Main St. Confections,and riding the WDW RR!!!!!!

[glagreca]

I was a cast member who worked on the WDW railroad... it was sooooo much fun!!!

[pennyf9]

Love those locomotives! thats one magic at disney! real steam trains, not outlines, have'nt been their yet, but will go sson and take lots of video.

[SunStarAngel145]

awesome i been on that train ever year i went down

[CSX6000]

@4202EJW No they do not. If you're going, check out the behind the RR scenes tour in the morning. It is a great experience for $45!

[BlueCrossMonorail]

@CSX6000 Were you allowed to take pictures on the behind the scenes tour? I'm planning to take the tour when I'm there in November but I keep getting conflicting reports on whether or not you can take pictures.

[jdowney429]

@BlueCrossMonorail You cant take pictures in any backstage area says Disney, we were able to take pictures of the monorail and steam train maintenance facility though with no issue.

[LocalRailfan]

Great 1080p quality, do you use a Canon?

[CSX6000]

@LocalRailfan No, this was recorded with a Panasonic.

[LocalRailfan]

Ok thanks, the quality is superb and the whole video makes it look like you had a great time. I like how they use real locomotives and crossing's yet this takes place in a fantasy-like area.

[AMT4245]

i live right next to WDW.

TIP: DONT wast ur time with the animal kingdom train. the train is junk. i have no idea why they still have it.

[b3tothe12]

I just came back from WDW and went on the Steam Tour. It was great. The two biggest things I found out was that none of the locomotives are equiped with brakes there is only train brakes. Second is that the WDW has a contract with Tweetsie. They also said they are working a new one out with SRR.

[b3tothe12]

actually type 2 diesel

[WhyAyeMann]

whatever they are burning, they are certinately burning it realy well and clean.

[foxrivermotorman]

Always wanted to know is do the cars have a battery on them for the lights? I never noticed the end car having the drumb head for Mikey Mouse

[JaiahHazelnutBrown]

They have a generator on the back of the tender.

[tweetsie12190]

where did you get the shot at 3:26

[CSX6000]

Just walk down along the ugly Toontown fence. You'll see it.

[floamman]

@CSX6000 That shot is worth the price of admission! Great work.

[tweetsie12190]

oil

[Chris9017]

Disneyland can't exceed 15 mph unless it's the last train of the night.

[augpeh]

Then what is the speed limit of the last train?

[Chris9017]

As fast as the engineer wants to go as long as he keeps the train moving safely.

[RTwagon]

they usually keep it at 10 mph

[Chris9017]

Yes, the speed limit is 11 mph. Anywhere over that sets off an alarm in the locomotive, and only maintainance can shut off the alarm. After that Management knows about it, and it puts 1 strike on your record. 3 strikes, you're back as conductor for a year.

Disneyland that is not really the case. You could go up to 15, just be careful, and obey the cab & track signals as well as keep a good distance away from the train in front of you.

[foxrivermotorman]

The line has signals on it so they can run

three sets of locomotives allong with cars,

[o00o00ozy]

BEYOND EPIC!

[WM734]

hey lookie there they go even faster than W&W!!

[CSX6000]

They're only allowed to go 12MPH, at tops.

[jay611]

heh. I dont have a speed limit to go by... unless we have guests on board... after hours as long as we feel safe doing it, we can run wide open.

Never new a Crown built 4-4-0 could do 25...

Nice vid! Atleast disney has oil burners... im stuck with propane... we can't even sand the flues!

[augpeh]

Roy's train is here called Roy Belle.

Think y? Its pulling Lilly Belle's coaches.

[b3tothe12]

I was wondering when someone was going to brink that up. But I read that the Lilly Belle's cars are inoperable to the public because they are open on both sides unlike the other ones which are closed. Look at 1:00

[Gatorcub1]

The Lilly Belle's sides are removable. The cars are normally used in the opening ceremony and the sides are open to allow the characters to exit the coaches toward the guests. When needed for service on line, the sides are bolted on to keep the guests safe and secure.

[Matt3985]

I personly like all of the 4 engines but if I had to pick one it would be ROY because of its whistle. =D

[WASSUMAIER]

Roger is my favorite, I love her whistle.

[augpeh]

Didn't you say Walter in your message to me?

[WASSUMAIER]

Roger is my favorite in this video. Walter is not in this video. So of the two engines in this video, I favor Roger more than Roy.

[Matt3985]

Roy Is my favorite. =D

[Chris9017]

The engineer opening up those whistles really knows how to blow a whistle.

[augpeh]

Which one's whistle?

[Matt3985]

Yeah Adam I been on the tour at WDWRR and its awsome. Hope I will try to find you if you come to WDW on the same day I vist next time. Look for a Guy who always tells his parents to ride a compelte round trip around the park and talks about nothing but trains to the people who work at the Magic Kingdom then thats me. =D

[augpeh]

You're a bit talkative, aren't you?

[Chris9017]

The last whistle you hear is Roy O. Disney's. It's a 4 inch Crosby 3-chime.

[augpeh]

I think that sounds rather creepy.

[Chris9017]

It is a little bit.

[Matt3985]

Hey Adam Did you flim this last week because I was there at the Magic Kindom Railfaning there too all last week? =D

[GATX4059784]

How Much Track is There?

[CSX6000]

About 1.5 miles

[Engineer5344]

awsome video adam, wow the engineer on number 4 did an excellent 2 longs one short and one long on the whistle cord. boy one can only imagine how awsome it must be to work for the WDWRR

[augpeh]

I would blast my 2 longs one short and one long at 1000dB right in ur ears.

[fleecejackets]

Awesome video, Adam . You should take the tour. The engine shop is really cool. Plus you get to see the WDW M.o.W. stuff, and you get to set up shots past the gates. Your video is excellent as always, it made me feel like I was there. Awesome job, !

Kyle

[CSX6000]

I did take the tour... check out the photos!

[fleecejackets]

Apparently rrpicturearchives is down ?

[chefjavier]

i use to work in Disney World..

[murjax]

Wow, I didn't know Florida had any steam locomotives!

[TheGondorian]

look at that gates! just like a real railway!

[StardustTrinity]

AWESOME!!!! I love the Walt Disney World Railroad!!XD It is so amazing that it uses REAL stem engines!!!XD

[maryandrobby]

Can't wait to go there for the 3rd time this summer. Yeah great video

[bnsf261]

How many trains do they run at one time?

[Matt3985]

About 3 trains! so each train is put up on the number of stations WDWRR has! So if there are 3 stations then there can be up to 3 trains can operate. Other example is that Disneyland has 4 stations so they operate only up to 4 trains. Hope that helps. =)

[bnsf261]

shit, they must have a tip top shop force, to keep that fleet running smoth and sound.

[b3tothe12]

They also send their loco's to Tweetsie Shops

[Chris9017]

Then again Disneyland only has 4 trains even though they have 5 engines.

[augpeh]

You mean Disneyland has 4 sets of coaches but they have 5 locomotives?

[Chris9017]

Correct.

[b3tothe12]

Only two. Three would be to hecdeck

[augpeh]

Two or three. On busier days they would run three.

[bnsf261]

Great buddy.

[DatSeXySnOwBuNNy]

OMG Ive always wanted to go there since I was a little girl and to this day I still havent. This a great vid that shows what its like to actually be there thanks for putting it up an making me feel like im actually there! Maybe someday hopefully :)

[FlyBikes089]

Nice!

[Chatzi473]

one of the best disney railroad videos i have seen

[Conrail6370]

Real Cool Video! Thanks for sharing Adam!!!

Len.