Walt Disney World Railroad
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Some say it was started by a mouse, but in reality, the Walt Disney theme park legacy was started by the love of trains.
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Even Disney's most famous and longest lasting legacy, Mickey Mouse, was created on a train.
Walt Disney's first step into the world of trains came when he completed The Carolwood Pacific Railroad in July 1950. The 1/8 size live steam train layout was built at Disney's home, but would eventually open the door to a full-size train layout.
In 1955, Disney, with the help of fellow railfans Ward Kimball and Ollie Johnston, created Disneyland in 1955. Circling that park was The Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad, a 5/8 scale live steam train railroad.
In the late 1960s, Disney decided to build a second theme park outside Orlando, Fla. Like Disneyland, the predecessor would also feature steam trains.
Disney Imagineers traveled to Mexico 1969 to scout steam trains that could be refurbished and put to use pulling guests around the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Originally, five steam trains were purchased from the United Railways of Yucatan.
"With four old steam engines acquired, work had just begun," Michael E. Broggie wrote in his 1997 book Walt Disney's Railroad Story. "Now these tired machines needed to be transformed – into handsome Victorian-era showpieces worthy of Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. This would be a monumental task since less than two years remained before the Park's scheduled grand opening."
By 1971, the tracks were laid and the steam trains were running. In fact, the Walt Disney World Railroad was the first attraction to be completed at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The Walt Disney World Railroad roster features:
No. 1 – Walter E. Disney, formerly Engine No. 274 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Walter E. Disney is one of two 4-6-0 steam engines that pull passengers around the park. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. The engine is painted red, as is its trainset.
No. 2 – Lillie Belle, formerly Engine No. 260 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Lillie Belle is a 2-6-0 steam engine, also known as a Mogul. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1928. The engine is green, as is its trainset.
No. 3 – Roger E. Broggie, formerly Engine No. 275 of the the United Railways of Yucatan. Roger E. Broggie is one of two 4-6-0 steam engines that pull passengers around the park. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. The engine is red and its trainset is yellow.
No. 4 – Roy O. Disney, formerly Engine No. 251 of the United Railways of Yucatan. The Roy O. Disney is the only 4-4-0 locomotive, commonly called an American style steam engine. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1916. During refurbishment, a crack in the Roy O. Disney's frame had to be repaired. The engine is blue as is its trainset.
No. 5 – Ward Kimball, formerly of the N&S Coal Company. The 2-4-4RT was acquired in a trade involving original Disneyland Railroad passenger coaches. It was obtained for the Walt Disney World Resort's 25th anniversary in 1997, but it is not believed to have even been in daily active service on the railroad. It was built by Davenport Locomotive Works in 1927. The steamer sat idle in the railroad's roundhouse and was later sold to a private collector.
The final, unnumbered locomotive purchased in 1969 was was built by Pittsburg Locomotive Works in 1902. Like the Lillie Belle, it was a 2-6-0 Mogul engine. This steamer was not refurbished for use at the Walt Disney World Resort. The engine was purchased for $750 and was sitting unused in a park in Mexico. The engine was likely unable to be refurbished to running order. It is believed the engine was sold to a private collector.