Six Facts You Didn’t Know About Disney’s Most Beloved Ride!

Much of what you see and experience in Disney Parks around the globe to this day were inspired by the man behind it all: Walt Disney! Though much has changed and grown since his first park, Disneyland, opened in 1955, much has remained the same.

One of those components that has been a beloved part of Disney parks around the globe, and it all started in Walt’s backyard! Let’s dive into six facts about Walt Disney’s most beloved ride — the railroad.

All Aboard the Carolwood Pacific Railroad!

Walt’s love of trains began at an early age and carried through adulthood. In fact, years before Disneyland, Walt built a half-mile scale model railway in his backyard. 

He called it the Carolwood Pacific Railroad and would take trips around his yard. 

First and Foremost.

When Walt Disney began the design for Disneyland in Anaheim, California, one of the first attractions that was planned to be a part of the park was a railroad.

The Disneyland Railroad is one of the few opening day attractions that remains operating in Disneyland.

Meet the trains of the Disneyland Railroad

The Disneyland Railroad includes five narrow-gauge engines, three of which were restored from the turn-of-the-century. The other two trains were built by WED Enterprises in 1955. The trains were named after American locomotive icons, except for one.

The one exception is the Ward Kimball, named after a Disney animator. The five trains of the Disneyland Railroad are the C.K. Holiday, E.P. Ripley, Ernest March, Fred Gurley, and Ward Kimball. The oldest train, the Fred Gurley, was originally built in 1894!

The Walt Disney World Railroad

When designing Walt Disney World in Florida, there was no question that Magic Kingdom would have a railroad of its very own. This railroad has four locomotives, all originally built in the 1910’s and 1920’s.

They were purchased in 1969 and were named the Walter E. Disney, the Roy O. Disney, the Lilly Belle, and the Roger E. Broggie. Broggie was one of the first Imagineers who was a fellow train fanatic, like Walt.

The Carolwood Pacific Room

Next time you’re visiting Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, spend a few minutes in the Carolwood Pacific Room. Located next to the main lodge building, the room is a treasure trove of artifacts and information about Walt’s history with trains.

The room contains railroad memorabilia, as well as Walt’s personal scale-model trains and a piece of track from the original Carolwood Pacific Railroad that was located in Walt’s backyard.

Disney Railroads Around the Globe

The U.S. Disney parks aren’t the only places you’ll find railroads. In fact, each of the “castle” parks in every Disney resort around the globe has their own version of a railroad, with one notable exception. 

You will NOT find a railroad at the newest Disney park, Shanghai Disneyland.

So…what’s going on with the Walt Disney World Railroad right now?

What’s your favorite fun fact about the Disney railroads? Let us know in the comments!

 

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