Walt Disney World Railroad, 50th Anniversary, 1-14-2023

This was my first trip to the Disney World Railroad since it closed in 2018 for track work and the Tron roller coaster construction. The Walter E. Disney 4-6-0 locomotive was also back from Strasburg Pa. for a re-build and it is my second favorite steam engine. I had a great time railfanning and got some great shots in some rarely photographed areas.

[@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan]

I’m absolutely astonished with how well she handled that emergency stop. She had the presence of mind to do things in order. She pushed the throttle shut, hit the brakes on the cars, and yanked the Johnson Bar all the way back. If you pay attention, you can see she started reacting before they even sounded the alarm. She’s on a roll.

[@nathanschmidt4889]

I noticed two things: 1. Hand was on the throttle ready to go. Just like flying, most accidents happen within take off and landing 2. She was looking back at the train mere microseconds before the alarm sounded. She. Was. Ready. That is the fastest stop I've ever seen on WDWRR. Ever. Hanging on the J-bar like a monkey and holding it in place like a gator fight

[@JakeBSteam]

Wow thats some incredible reaction from the driver at 25:33 in the view, she was very quick to react even before they sound the alarm on the guard to driver in cab buzzer. Top marks to her for her quick reaction. 🙂

[@austinadler6279]

I've loved riding in the walt disney world railroad magic Kingdom I miss it so much ❤❤❤❤

[@davidng2336]

Nice to see the railroad running again. When I go in 2023, this is a must! And I'm happy to see the Walter E. Disney again. Although apparently they had to lower the smokestack for it to fit into the tunnel.

[@CSXFan5496]

Amazing shots!!

[@baldwinloco12]

Thanks!

[@pinchy08]

So far it’s unknown as to when Roger will come back after his overhaul at Strasburg. They found a crack in the frame. I think Roger might get a new boiler too. And get computerized controls like Lilly Belle and Walter now have.

[@andrewc1199]

Where did you hear that?

[@awp2902]

Possible this year for Roger

[@OldIronVideo]

I was in the Strasburg shops in August Engine is completely apart and is getting a new boiler

[@davidng2336]

Roger is now undergoing extensive testing. It will be back soon. Roy is now at Strasburg.

[@pinchy08]

Yes. I came across an update on that. Roy will be missed. But only for the time being.

[@wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd6530]

Fantastic video, very nice movies locations. Filmed great

[@chiefs1587]

Awesome video! I am going in October and can’t wait to ride! I looked online to see if they were still doing the “Magic behind our steam train” tour and it appears not, but hopefully they bring it back.

[@Flsteamfan1990]

Cool story on your into…. I used to run little Vulcan at the Ga Agricultural musuem

[@pinchy08]

Its so great to have our Beloved Walt Disney World Railroad back up and running after nearly 5 years. Did you notice the overhauled Walter locomotive has a higher pitch on his Buckeye 3 chime whistle? It sounds amazing. Also the collars surrounding the tender are now Red instead of Black. It make the locomotive stand out a bit more. What do you think? I’m also glad Walter fits in the tunnel under Tron has Walter is the tallest locomotive in the roster.

[@baldwinloco12]

Yeah the whistle sounds nice, the Walter is my second favorite steam engine and I had not seen it run since 2012 so it was great to see it run again.

[@Steamfan1]

@@baldwinloco12 That’s because because during the overhaul the Walter’s whistle had some serious damage causing only 2 of the 3 chimes. It’s still the same whistle, all they did was repair it. Now today the Walter is the only locomotive left remaining with its original whistle. During the the testing back in the fall the Lilly Belle’s whistle was switched out with the Roger Broogie’s original buckeye whistle

[@Steamfan1]

Here’s more details u didn’t notice. Look at the wheels compared to before the overhaul. The Walter used to be the only locomotive with solid dark red wheels. Now it has light red wheels with yellow outlines on the counter weights just like the other locomotives. Just like the Lilly Belle, they put an eagle on top of the sand dome.

[@davidng2336]

Walter's smokestack was lowered during its overhaul in order for it to fit under the tunnel. EDIT 2024: Roger's smokestack apparently had to be lowered as well. Lilly and Roy are the only locomotives that (probably) don't need their smokestacks adjusted as they fit under the tunnel fine.

[@aidenayers2486]

Did you Gus know that WDWRR is the only railroad in Disney parks that doesn't have brakes thats why you see them too backwards every time they come to a stop

[@Steamfan1]

Here’s what worries me about the Roger Broogie. Y’all know the twin locomotives have their 100th birthday in 2025, and with a crack in the frame, adding on top of all the other work they have to do, Strasburg may not have it ready by 2025. Infact, the Roger Broogie was sent to Strasburg in August of 2021, and sat in the shop untouched for 2 months cause they were still working on the Walter. I was at Strasburg when the Walter was being loaded up to head back to Florida.

[@davidng2336]

I swore it was sent away back in 2018.

[@Steamfan1]

@@davidng2336 I thought it went to strasburg in 2021, but it doesn’t matter. It still remained untouched until the Walter was done.

[@davidng2336]

@@Steamfan1 whenever it gets done, it gets done. It will return eventually. Like Lilly Belle. That one was gone for six years and still returned in the end.

[@clemsonpirate7144]

Roger left for Strasburg on June 12th 2019. Very little work was done at first for a couple reasons. 1, they were still working on Walter at the time, and 2, covid happened, which caused the shop to temporarily close for a period of time. Once Walter left Strasburg in August of 2020, then work really got going on Roger. Even with the discovery of the cracks in his frame, he’ll more than likely return later in the year. He’ll be back well before 2025 lol

[@nathanschmidt4889]

@@clemsonpirate7144 As far as I heard, the frame was the worst thing they found. The boiler looked fine and would last a few more inspections. All they needed was new flues and some fine tuning of the valve gear(he was sounding a little clunky before). I'm glad that there's still a place you can go to have something rebuilt like that

[@samlikestrains8040]

Walters bell is way too tight and therefore it has trouble ringing. Nice emergency stop by the engineer.

[@baldwinloco12]

Yeah I was impressed with her reaction speed, did a great job, I think a jerk tried to get off the train after it was moving.

[@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan]

Yeah, she absolutely destroyed that reverser. Her reaction speed was spot on.

[@nathanschmidt4889]

@@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan I don't think it actually did any damage. That would be a shame if it can't take some jerking around in a pinch. Stephenson valve gear is designed for this god awful yanking. It takes an incredible amount of strength to convince it to move in the first place

[@TweetsieRailroader]

Excellent video partner! I had been anxiously awaiting the reopening of the Walt Disney World Railroad ever since I was made of its closure over 4 years ago. It's been really great to see those engines make the "Grand Circle Tour" once again, something that has definitely been well worth the wait. BTW, where did you shoot the shoot of the sweeping curve at 1:06:36? I'm assuming the shot was made somewhere around the Contemporary, but I'm unsure how viable that shot is for most people. Either way, it's a good place to shoot the train! Looking forward to what you've got in store for the future!

[@baldwinloco12]

Hey man, thanks for the compliments I had a blast filming in some new locations, the shot at the curve is viable for anyone, it is outside of the park down the sidewalk toward the bus stop. There are tall hedges all along the path but there was one spot that I could film over the hedge and get the shot. A word of warning, the Disney police asked me what I was doing while I waited for the train, after I explained that I was just trying to film the train he saw what I was doing and left me alone, he was very polite.

[@TweetsieRailroader]

@@baldwinloco12 Fair enough. I'll definitely need to be cautious. Definitely curious if the Tron opening will open up some additional vantage points, though It isn't something I'm betting money on.

[@baldwinloco12]

@@TweetsieRailroader Yeah I wondered about that to.

[@Steamfan1]

@@baldwinloco12 Oh yeah! I can’t wait for tron to open cause then you can film the train from above the tunnel on the Fantasyland side of the tunnel. Since when has anybody filmed from above the train besides getting rear opportunities on the people mover? Never!

[@baldwinloco12]

@@Steamfan1 Are you sure they will not block the view off, Disney is notorious for blocking views with shrubs and other things. I hope they will leave it open.

[@austinadler6279]

All aboard

[@OldIronVideo]

How long is it in between trains here?

[@kevinsweeney2810]

I don't think Disney trains have an emergency brake

[@davidng2336]

The coaches have brakes. Just not the locomotives. But there is an e-stop switch on the trains.