The DIS Campers Train Thread: From Model Trains Up To The Real Thing

[DL1WDW2]

thanks for sharing Now I need a train trip !

 

[bama_ed]

I picked up something for the train room. I'm not into train-related collectibles or ("railroadiana") but I do have a fondness for the Dietz lamp oil lanterns (I think I've mentioned those in my camping posts once or twice). Specifically the #8 Air Pilot in different colors.

Recently, though, I found Dietz makes a railroad lantern (and has for decades so I got one to hang - not fuel up) and use with my railroad stock certificates and system maps of the Southern and DRGW as decorations hanging around the room. It's black with some gold accents.



More time coming this fall hopefully with the railroads.

Ed

PS - here is some info but I didn't pay this price. https://www.redhillgeneralstore.com/Dietz-Oil-Lanterns/Dietz-Railroad-Lantern.htm

 

[Sjm9911]

Thats nice Ed! Really will brighten up the room!

 

[wabbott]

May be of interest to us railfans.

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/tracking-down-the-real-orient-express-is-complicated-aa665fb5

Tracking Down the ‘Real’ Orient Express Is Complicated

The storied train of Agatha Christie fame stopped running in 1977. But various companies have revived the name over the years, leaving those seeking authenticity confused. Here, your guide.

By Laura Dannen Redman
Sept. 26, 2025 8:00 pm ET

 

[bama_ed]

Checking around some of my Disney/railroad bookmarked websites, I came back across the YT site "Once Upon a Train".

https://www.youtube.com/@onceuponatrain/videos

Michael Campbell, the man behind the website, recently released his second video on the Fort Wilderness Railroad. Here is his Part 1 release from a few months ago (its construction and operating period):

Part 2 was released last month (what happened after closure). Both are about 20 minutes long.

Part 2 had some interesting nuggets about the Meadow Pool water tank with a FWRR logo at the top of the slide. It definitively answers a debate that occurred on this board when the slide/tank was being built and reopened. I may or may not have been involved in that debate.

Check out his main YT website (1st link above) because he has a total of 10 videos so far (started about 1-2 years ago) about Disneyland trains, Walt's Carolwood Pacific line in Walt's back yard, and more. It's worth the investment of your time and all are well done.

Bama Ed

PS - he says at the end of Part 2 that eventually ..... in the fullness of time ..... there will be a Part 3 video released on the FWRR

 

[bama_ed]

Michael Campbell, who created the two YT "Once Upon a Train" videos above, has recently released a book called "Walt Disney's Trains - A Grand Circle Tour Through His Life And Legacy".



It has a different take which is refreshing to read but in flipping through the pages, he referenced a Chip & Dale vinyl record of railroading songs and a Golden Book based on Walt's cartoon "Out of Scale" (which I also have in a digital file).



So the record and the book are now part of my collection.





The weather has cooled off now so I am READY to get back upstairs and resume running the trains. Plus cataloging, repairing, cleaning, and investigating a method to replace missing parts.

ED

 

[wabbott]

Michael Campbell, who created the two YT "Once Upon a Train" videos above, has recently released a book called "Walt Disney's Trains - A Grand Circle Tour Through His Life And Legacy".



It has a different take which is refreshing to read but in flipping through the pages, he referenced a Chip & Dale vinyl record of railroading songs and a Golden Book based on Walt's cartoon "Out of Scale" (which I also have in a digital file).



So the record and the book are now part of my collection.





The weather has cooled off now so I am READY to get back upstairs and resume running the trains. Plus cataloging, repairing, cleaning, and investigating a method to replace missing parts.

ED

Many, many of the old Disney comics of the 40s,50s & 60s featured train stories - Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, WD Comics & Stories, etc. I have most of them, and still read them. Over and over.