The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society and Fort Wilderness

[ynottony99]

Makin me think the new resort in River Country might have a railway theme. ALL ABOARD!

That would be awesome. Of course a "railway theme" would not require a full scale railway, but there were once plans that had a train run from FW to WL,as seen in this early drawing.

It really would enhance the 'Wilderness' theme.

 

[FWRR3]

Hey Tony, many more great photos!

Are you going to be at the Fort for Halloween?

 

[ynottony99]

Our next trip is going to be in December. Were you at Michael Broogie's presentation @ The All Star Training Center? If not, we may not have croossed paths during the UNMEETING.

 

[dblr]

You have some really great photos and you are so right about taking this
tour it is wonderful, we did it a few years ago and had the same conductor give us the tour and he does a wonderful job of it. We tried to do the tour again this year so my 15 year old son who loves trains could do it but they did not offer it over the 4th of July so he will have to wait till the next time.
Once again thanks for the wonderful report it brought back a great memorie.

 

[dfchelbay]

Makin me think the new resort in River Country might have a railway theme. ALL ABOARD!

TCD...get on this right away. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to investigate what the new "theme" will be on the old RC land. Will the railroad be returning to the Fort. It is imperative to know this information for the survival of the human race.

This message will self destruct in 15 seconds...

 

[Tri-circle-D]

That would be awesome. Of course a "railway theme" would not require a full scale railway, but there were once plans that had a train run from FW to WL,as seen in this early drawing.

It really would enhance the 'Wilderness' theme.

Tony- I don't recall ever seeing this drawing before. Very interesting. The footprint of WL looks right. The pool is clearly different. What was the Medicine Wheel supposed to be? Are there buildings there? What the heck is that thing?

TCD...get on this right away. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to investigate what the new "theme" will be on the old RC land. Will the railroad be returning to the Fort. It is imperative to know this information for the survival of the human race.

This message will self destruct in 15 seconds...

This is easy.

There is no way that the railroad will return to the Fort.

Unless they can figure out a way to make a lot of money from it.

The theme will be something simple.

And cheap.

The beancounters run the place now.


TCD

 

[dfchelbay]

Tony- I don't recall ever seeing this drawing before. Very interesting. The footprint of WL looks right. The pool is clearly different. What was the Medicine Wheel supposed to be? Are there buildings there? What the heck is that thing?




A Medicine Wheel is a Native American circle made with stones and used for spiritual rituals, healings and meditation and as a connection between the physical and spirituals worlds. Maybe they will have Native American demonstrations of life, spirit, nature, etc. Maybe some shows put on by authentic native americans will take place there.

 

[FWRR3]

Tony, I was at Michael Broggie's presentation. My wife and I were seated at the third table from the front on the right side. I sat by the center aisle. I also arrived at the Carolwood Pacific room on Saturday at about 8:30AM, but only David was there. You must have already left.

Are you going to report on the FWRR here, also? I'm curious about that.

I wish that you could be here on Halloween. My FWRR engine arrives on Friday!

 

[ynottony99]

Tony, I was at Michael Broggie's presentation. My wife and I were seated at the third table from the front on the right side. I sat by the center aisle. I also arrived at the Carolwood Pacific room on Saturday at about 8:30AM, but only David was there. You must have already left.

Are you going to report on the FWRR here, also? I'm curious about that.

I wish that you could be here on Halloween. My FWRR engine arrives on Friday!

I sat at the back of the room, on the left side. I came up front to have Michael sign my book, then left pretty quickly.

This is me with my wife, making an appearance at Colson's Crossing.

There seemed to be some mixup and my check for the balance on the engine just cleared the bank today. I am hoping my engine will be here soon!!! The coaches have been sitting in the box for a long time waiting for this.

 

[loveDmouse]

That is a great shirt! Where did you get it? I would love to get one for my husband.

 

[FWRR3]

Tony, did you buy coaches when they sold the stream FWRR engine? How many do you have? I have three on order but I guess it'll be next January at least. I guess I didn't have much of a chance to see you that week end.

 

[ynottony99]

That is a great shirt! Where did you get it? I would love to get one for my husband.

Thanks, I have had that shirt for a while. It came from either a Disney Store in local mall, or at The Charcter Premier store in the Outlet Mall. I have gotten most of my Disney shirts at the outlet mall. If you're at WDW and want authentic souveniers, take an hour or so and check them out. They carry lots and lots of stuff.

 

[ynottony99]

Tony, did you buy coaches when they sold the stream FWRR engine? How many do you have? I have three on order but I guess it'll be next January at least. I guess I didn't have much of a chance to see you that week end.

I did buy them just right after the steam engines had sold out. I bought 5 coaches since that was how many were used when FWRR operated. I have been trying to figure out how to display them in a case. I heard one of our fellow CPHS members say he was going to use an authentic FWRR tie as the base for his display. That sounds awesome, but I don't have the space to do something on that scale. (Yes I do have the tie. Shhhhhhh)

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks, I have had that shirt for a while. It came from either a Disney Store in local mall, or at The Charcter Premier store in the Outlet Mall. I have gotten most of my Disney shirts at the outlet mall. If you're at WDW and want authentic souveniers, take an hour or so and check them out. They carry lots and lots of stuff.

I figured it would be one of those oldies but goodies but had to ask. We will be in Disney in just a few weeks so I will check out the shops then. So excited to be getting back to the Fort!

 

[itch1]

Wonderful report Tony !!!!!
Thanks for sharing and thanks for all the new wallpapers for my laptop the black and white going into the MK even made it to my phones wallpaper!
itch

 

[SC DAD of 2]

Tony, your pictures are much enjoyed and nothing

less than exquisite. Thank you for sharing your talent.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Thanks Tony!!! I loved your report. So cool!

 

[ynottony99]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you've enjoyed it.

Before I move on from the Behind the Magic tour, just a couple of more things.

Before we returned to MK, the boiler on the Roy O. Disney needed to be lit.

This material was lit and then pitched into the burner. The WDWRR runs on #2 fuel oil. This is not #2 Diesel, because that is sold with the Fed. Hwy tax added.

In order to move the trains back and forth between the round house and MK, one service road has to be crossed. If you have ever driven past the CR and around behind Space Mountain and on around, you cross the WDWRR tracks at this point.

The crossing gate here does not come down automatically. It is up to the conductor to operate the gate from one of two switches. They try to wait for a lull in traffic, but this is a well traveled road, and traffic backs up pretty quickly.

 

[ynottony99]

The next event I attended was Michael Broggie's talk on Friday afternoon. This event was originally scheduled to be held at Disney University, but we ended up backstage at The All Star Resorts, using one of their meeting rooms. Michael gave a great presentation and shared many experiences that he had as a young man knowing Walt Disney. Michael in fact got to be Walt's Fireman on June 18th, 1955 when they made the very first run at Disneyland.

We also heard from a gentleman who worked for many years on the FWRR. I regret I didn't get his name, maybe someone else reading this can help. He told stories of the glory days of the FWRR, as well as events leading up to it's closure. As many know the FWRR locomotives set outside and were left to the elements for years following the lines closure. Many of the passenger cars ended up being donated to a nearby zoo. Very interesting story as to how it came about that the 4 FWRR engines ended up in the hands of individuals who wanted to rescue and preserve them.

Way too much to share here. If you are a fan of Disney Railroads, then join the CPHS. Next fall there will be another UNMEETING. David Leaphart's 2 new books are also great for FWRR fans.

In fact the next event that weekend I planned to attend was led by David in the Carolwood Pacific Room at the Wilderness Lodge Villas. David brought lots of goodies to share with fellow FWRR enthusiasts. He had some nice items that had been collected from the old line, i.e. ties, rail, and other hardware that he offered to anyone looking for such things. I got to see David there that morning and helped him a little with getting set up, but had to leave before everyone else arrived.

If you haven't seen this room yet, it is located on the ground floor of the villas. As you enter the front door, turn right and there it is. This room shares some of the wonderful history of Walt's backyard railroad, with photographs, plaques and even a couple of the cars that Walt's train.

 

[ynottony99]

The final event that weekend was breakfast at TE and then a walk through FW exploring the old right of way. Sadly I had to miss this as well. However David Leaphart was kind enough to share a photo of the group as they stopped by to see the FWRR coach on display that weekend.

Next year, I look forward to attending more events, and enjoying a weekend full of WDWRR!

I did take some photos of Bob's restored FWRR Coach and display.

So that is about it for this TR. I am sorry if it was hard to follow. I thought that as I sat around just healing, I would have plenty of time and energy to devote to this. Not as much as I thought.