This Is The Coolest Thing

[SandrA9810]

bama: That's one of the things Kari wants to do when she wins the lotto. She wants to do a 20yr contact with Frontierland for the Bears and Tom Sawyer Island, so it can be cleaned up, fixed up, and bring back the Christmas show.
And to fix river country so she has a water park she can visit. They would have to create a wall at the lake, dig out the sand and water and make it a chlorine pool. Of course Disney knows how to create a sand bottom pool. So it could still feel like the original. I understand the need for create a chlorine pool, too many people getting sick from the water and too disgusting with all the boats that run on the water.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

I talked to train guy today he was so happy I started this post. He said he had more people travel here because they saw it. He tried to work a deal with Disney for Christmas he would bring the train in and display it at Pioneer Hall; could Disney comp him a site while the train was here. Disney said NO.

YES, A HUGE THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!! And the pictures were wonderful also. I couldn't believe it when I saw the first picture. I never thought I see one of these cars back in the Fort again. Disney must be crazy not to comp him a site. The interest that has already been generated would certainly continue to grow and bring them in some extra $$$$ via souvenirs. Silly people!!!!

Well I got a bit of the scoop today.
He purchased the car four years ago from Brevard Zoo. It is the front car, and you can tell because it's the one that creates the power for the rest of the cars. Disney sold one of the trains to the Brevard Zoo after sitting for 20 years in the disney graveyard. About 5 years or so later the Zoo sold them for purchasing computers or something (they left them sitting as well and never went through with the plans). Most of the original paint was still on it, so you definatly knew it was the Fort train. Of course after all this sitting in graveyards, it was rusted out. He purchased it for about 3,000$ and took a whole summer to refurb it. For each time to have a crane pick up the car and place it on the trailer was about 200$, so he decided to build a trailer with railroad ties, so if it's ever taken off it could be placed on a track.
He also has a display set up of some pictures from Disney in 71, as well as a paper from Orlando Sentinal about WDW. And the paper about the Zoo getting the cars.

He has spoken to Disney about giving them the car back, placing it at the Settlement, where the RV trailer used to be. He even said he'd work on the weekends to tell the story of the Fort Train and how he ended up with that one. He doesn't live far, just over in melbourne, and this is the first time he's brought the train to Disney. He does pull it in the Melbourne Christmas Parade. No Disney did not allow him to have a site for free. He's had several Fort Cast Members ask if he'd come back for christmas with it decorated. But they won't give him a site for free.

He checks out Tuesday Morning, so if you wnt to chat with him you better go tomorrow. It has been quite the spectical, even bus drivers have stopped to snap a picture of it. He said yesterday he had some guy try to buy the car from him for quite a bit of money, but he's not interested in selling it, he'd rather have it someplace that can appreciate the history of it.

That's my scoop...

Thank you for taking the time to get more detailed information. I would love to thank this gentleman in person for doing this. Wow. Darn, I'll miss him by a day, but I have a feeling this is going to grow.

Too bad we can't start a Christmas Car Collection to pay for a site for the car at Christmas for all to see.

 

[railmail]

Man we sure would love to see this, but we won't be there until middle of Oct.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Those photos are amazing and was a really great treat to see. The time and effort that this gentleman put into is incredible. Too bad on the christmas parade or display.

 

[PrincessNP]

Thanks so much FlaFortCampster and Shanman for sharing this information! Every since my husband and I did the "Behind the Trains" tour at Disney World 5 or 6 years ago we have been facinated by the trains.

I agree with BamaEd......Disney should really work with this guy. They should at least give him the free dining plan for his stay!

 

[SunshineCamper]

It was so cool to see the train. The train guys name is Bob. It looks like Disney brought him an honorary name tag to put on his train hat. I forgot to ask him about it. It wasn't there on friday but it was there on saturday afternoon. He was placed in just the right spot too on Loop 1000 across from the Meadows Trading Post.
Everytime we passed by we would smile! I wish they would give Bob a lifetime of free stays at the Ft. He earned it and brought back a piece of Ft. history. Walt would have given him free nights-yet Walt wouldn't have given up any of the trains in the first place.
Anyways, thanks Bob for bringing the train. It was really neat to see. YOU ROCK!

 

[Whipperwhirl]

I cant believe it only took him one summer to restore - thats amazing . . .

 

[livndisney]

We saw this Friday night all lit up-it was really cool! He does have the perfect campsite-right across from the trading post and next to the bus stop.

 

[RocklandRVers]

It would make a cool addition to the July 4th parade. Bet it would win a prize!

 

[shirley 38]

THAT IS SO IMPRESSIVE. We rode this train years ago. Thanks so much for the pictures. Brings back a lot of memories