Walt Disney World Railroad - Other Information

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 Mexico. 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 Point 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 Vollenweider 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 Railroad, a Plains Indians camp and various small vignettes featuring woodland wildlife such as deer, moose, alligators, frogs and rattlesnakes. Just before arriving at Frontierland Station, trains pass through Splash Mountain, where the ride's finale scene (along with a "Hidden Mickey") can be seen from above through a large plate glass window.

• Main Street Station was modeled after and closely resembles the former Victorian era railroad depot at Saratoga Springs, New York.

• The former Mickey's Toontown Fair was demolished to make way for a new expansion of Fantasyland. The new Fantasyland Station was built on the former Toontown Station site and opened on March 12, 2012.

• 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.