The Carolwood Pacific Historical Society and Fort Wilderness

[ynottony99]

Sifting through the trip photos, I found a couple of more worth sharing. Here at the Toon Town Station, you see a small red light here on the side of this building.

This light is used as an indicator light now, but it was originally used on our beloved Fort Wilderness Railroad.

 

[DaveInTN]

Sifting through the trip photos, I found a couple of more worth sharing. Here at the Toon Town Station, you see a small red light here on the side of this building.

This light is used as an indicator light now, but it was originally used on our beloved Fort Wilderness Railroad.

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing that tidbit.

 

[MadFF]

This light is used as an indicator light now, but it was originally used on our beloved Fort Wilderness Railroad.

When I go past that light and point it out, and explain where it came from, once again my wife and kids will wonder how the heck I find out these bits of information...

 

[FWRR3]

Nice info, Tony. How'd you find that out?

 

[Total Joker]

Great pics. and thanks for the report!!

 

[3gr8kids]

GREAT pics as always, Tony, and I'm glad you're feeling better after your surgery! My favorite pic has to be this one

 

[ynottony99]

Nice info, Tony. How'd you find that out?

I was sitting a row ahead of David Leaphart when we were on the Magic Behind our Steam Trains tour. And I was eaves dropping.

 

[DavidLeaphart]

Hey Tony,

Hope you are healing and getting back into the swing!

We did have a great and magical time at the Unmeeting....



Tony mentioned a gentleman who spoke at Michael Broggie's presentation. He is Jimmy Graves, former Foreman of the Fort Wilderness Railroad. He is a truly nice and gentle person! The picture below (by Russell Banks) is Jimmy describing the locomotive at the meeting.

Thanks to Tony too for helping me Saturday morning. I'm sorry he couldn't stay. I arranged for nine former Fort Wilderness Railroad cast members to be there to greet folks, answer questions, and sign books. This is one great group of folks! The photo below (again by Russell) is a group shot of everyone there who contributed to the book. Starting at the top left is Vern Conner, Johnny Chaffin, Helen Graves, Jimmy Graves, Tom Green, Ron Fink, Larry Teriwillger, and Cindy Zifka. On the bottom is David Carriker, Dave Martin, me, Suzi Ward, and Dale Leach.

Michael Broggie brought his new Accucraft FTW RR locomotive. It was displayed in front of a great model of the Gateway Depot built by Russell Banks. In the photo, that's Dave Martin getting his upclose photo!!

Three people who really helped with the story are Suzi, Jimmy, and Vern. Here they are enjoying the morning!

Bob Kelso's car (former car from the Brevard Zoo - one of four) is well shown by Tony. Here Bob, Vern, and Dave say "Hello! Wish you were here!"

Not long after the Unmeeting, my own Accucraft model arrived. Here it is on its display stand. (I have it on rollers so I can run it inside! Yee hah!)

Last, I've included something you will like...this is the drumhead from the last car of the train. It is a photo of the drumhead owned by Jimmy. He was presented with the drumhead at his retirement from Disney.

The railroad lives on!!!

David

 

[FWRR3]

Well, then, I think this thread needs a proper photo of Mr. Leaphart (and his wonderful books!):

(I took that one too!)

 

[ynottony99]

Well, then, I think this thread needs a proper photo of Mr. Leaphart (and his wonderful books!):

(I took that one too!)

Is that some sort of pastry there on the table........... with fruit filling??!!!???!!? I knew I should've stayed! David, thanks for sharing the photos and more great info. about the weekend. I stopped by H&R Trains on my way home from work today. I was hoping to get some ideas on how to display my engine and coaches, but I'm looking to do something unconventional, (my middle name).

 

[FWRR3]

Yes, Un, those are pastries that someone brought, and hardly anyone ate. He was begging people to take them when the meeting broke up. Guess everyone had a big breakfast.
If you have five coaches, that's more that a six foot display, right? Are you talking about a static display? I was thinking about driving through the Fort, videoing to the side, and projecting that behind the train. Might be cool for the engine, but the whole train requires a W-I-D-E screen! How about photo'ing single shots while traveling along the FWRR route, and "pasting" them together like in a huge panorama, making a 12' paper continuous loop background image of traveling through the Fort. Then run that around two rollers behind the train. Looks like train is chugging through FW. Does that make sense? A little smoke from the stack with a small fan blowing on it toward the rear of the train, and the engine on rollers like David's. OK, I quit!

 

[ynottony99]

Very interesting. Keep the ideas coming! I have a lot of research to do to see what my options are. I hadn't even considered using rollers for the display. That would add a whole new dimension to it. Hmmmmmm

 

[FWRR3]

I'm having a hard time waiting for coaches. Trying to figure out what to have the FWRR engine pull for Christmas.

 

[ynottony99]

Well, I finally took a few minutes and unpacked 1 coach and the observation car to set up with my engine. Thought I would get a couple of photos, and figured there was no better place than on my FWRR tie (ask no questions and I will tell you no lies).

Thought I would throw in a pic of some of my other FWRR treasures.
David Leaphart gave me this cross section of genuine FWRR rail, and here is one of the ties and a piece of road bed that I salvaged some years ago.

Some day I'll get me some track for my train......then...look out!!!

 

[FWRR3]

Tony, they look great! I can't wait to get some coaches. (And you have to get some track!)

 

[ynottony99]

A couple of more photos. Trying out GDAD recommended software.

 

[ynottony99]

Another one.

 

[MadFF]

Pretty cool effects!

 

[fugarwe]

This report was outstanding! When you mention that the tour is included with your membership to CPHS, is that just for the tour during the fall meeting, or any time you visit WDW? We come from MN to FW every year in Jan or Feb, and wouldn't be able to make the fall meeting. I like the idea of being a CPHS member anyway, and this would be a great membership benefit. I'm always hoping the FW train car would be at FW while I was there. That is one cool thing to see.

 

[ynottony99]

This report was outstanding! When you mention that the tour is included with your membership to CPHS, is that just for the tour during the fall meeting, or any time you visit WDW? We come from MN to FW every year in Jan or Feb, and wouldn't be able to make the fall meeting. I like the idea of being a CPHS member anyway, and this would be a great membership benefit. I'm always hoping the FW train car would be at FW while I was there. That is one cool thing to see.

I am pretty sure you would have to be at the annual unmeeting to see this benefit.