Train @ VWL

[VWLguy]

Since the Deluxe Wilderness Lodge has no monorail access, how much would it cost Disney to run a train spur from the Magic Kingdom to VWL? It's something that's so obvious, no one can see it. Walt would have loved it. Since profits from Mary Poppins were used to finance the monorail, maybe they could do something similar...

 

[truck1]

The last estimate I had heard, and this was about 7 or 8 years ago, was that is would cost about 1 million dollars per mile, to build the monorail anywhere. That did not include the cost of the new monorails afaik. Then there would be the added cost of adding on to the monorail shops to go with it.Right now theres room for 10 trains, and 2 area always out, to be cleaned at one of the stations. (Theres a total of 12 trains.)
It would take a little doing today, to get the monorail anywhere, without having to restructure the entire system.

 

[Missytara]

You can do anything you want; as long as you have the money to throw at it. I would dare say with the economy, they would be doing things that would turn a profit, like building DVC properties.

You would be surprised how much construction materials cost these days, especially with the price of gas. To ship materials to the site, run the machines, etc., construction is no longer what it used to be. Tack on the LEED standards and it is even more costlier.....

 

[goofy4tink]

Not ever going to happen. It's cost prohibitive. The lack of monorail is one of the reasons WL is less costly to stay at than the other 'deluxe' resorts. If a monorail line was added there, you would hear an outcry for the addition of a line heading to the International Gateway area for BW/YC/BC guests.

It would be extremely costly to add any new lines. Then, add the maintainence and you have added dearly to the budget at WDW. I have to tell you.....after being stuck on the monorail for 30 mins, I can say that I'm fine with buses for those longer rides. No way do I want to be stuck on a monorail going from BW to MK. It's hot, sticky and noisy as occupants start to get nudgy...not a pleasant experience at all.

 

[ssawka]

If they were to extend the monorail, I think they would need to do it to the other parks. Besides, WL is not the only deluxe resort without monorail access. What about Y&BC and AKL.

 

[scootch]

Since the bus ride to MK is probably quicker than the monorail, it will probably never happen. Many people at WL do not know about the 2-3 min bus ride to MK, they always take the boat.

 

[VWLguy]

Actually, I intended to provoke a discussion of a steam locomotive spur to Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom. It seems to be a more fitting form of transportation based on the theme of the resort...Especially VWL. Again, I know Walt would have loved it...he may have even made it happen despite the naysayers. It just takes some money and magic

 

[msmayor]

The last estimate I had heard, and this was about 7 or 8 years ago, was that is would cost about 1 million dollars per mile, to build the monorail anywhere. That did not include the cost of the new monorails afaik. Then there would be the added cost of adding on to the monorail shops to go with it.Right now theres room for 10 trains, and 2 area always out, to be cleaned at one of the stations. (Theres a total of 12 trains.)
It would take a little doing today, to get the monorail anywhere, without having to restructure the entire system.

Actually, I think that $1 million per mile estimate is what they think it cost back in the 70's when it was first built. I'm sure that per-mile cost is much higher now.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Actually, I intended to provoke a discussion of a steam locomotive spur to Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom. It seems to be a more fitting form of transportation based on the theme of the resort...Especially VWL. Again, I know Walt would have loved it...he may have even made it happen despite the naysayers. It just takes some money and magic

As much fun as it sounds, it is very unlikely. The MK train runs inside the MK, so admission is required to ride on it. Making a spur to WL would require 2 stations, so really it wouldn't be a spur but a line of its own serving only WL and maybe FW so not even a very cost efficient transportation method. A bridge would also have to be built and probably a drawbridge at that, so it may even need a bridge operator to open and close for boats. Once there was a train that ran through FW, but because a many factors, most involving the cost of maintaining it, the train was discontinued. The engines were sold and the track bed covered to make sidewalks or just allowed to "return to nature".

 

[JB2K]

Actually, I intended to provoke a discussion of a steam locomotive spur to Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom. It seems to be a more fitting form of transportation based on the theme of the resort...Especially VWL. Again, I know Walt would have loved it...he may have even made it happen despite the naysayers. It just takes some money and magic

True, Walt Disney would approve of a steam locomotive (as they were a big part of his life), but this was already tried at Fort Wilderness and ended-up being removed, some time ago...

As for the monorail system, the last major modification to the tracks happened in the early part of this decade, when the tracks at Disneyland were realigned (and a station completely rebuilt) so the train could pass-through Disney's California Adventure, which is itself in the process of an overhaul.

 

[truck1]

Actually, I think that $1 million per mile estimate is what they think it cost back in the 70's when it was first built. I'm sure that per-mile cost is much higher now.

I am sure its more expensive now also. My exwife worked in monorails, when I worked in bus ops, and they were using the million dollar quote in the mid 90s.Something else I just thought of, in addition to the already mentioned costs, the entire fleet would have to be upgraded or built new, as the trains are in their 20s I think.I forget when they were delivered.This way the entire fleet is the same.

Actually, I intended to provoke a discussion of a steam locomotive spur to Wilderness Lodge from the Magic Kingdom. It seems to be a more fitting form of transportation based on the theme of the resort...Especially VWL. Again, I know Walt would have loved it...he may have even made it happen despite the naysayers. It just takes some money and magic

Theres a few issues to that concept.Nothing that cant be over come. Heck I came up with a way to add on to the TTC monorail station on a napkin. It would have run to Epcot,(Station was built with expansion in mind) then on to DHS, with a separates line going to AK.I have a book by Michael Broggie, Roger Broggies nephew? I think if not son,on the history of the steam trains at the Disney parks and he states that the current crop of Disney Execs, are not the big train fans, Walt and his execs were.Would Walt enjoy and even promote it? I think so especially considering that the live steam train cars he hand built were/are on display at the Lodge. The second engine that he started to build before his untimely death was on display there also, before going back to Disneyland I think. Id have to look.

As much fun as it sounds, it is very unlikely. The MK train runs inside the MK, so admission is required to ride on it. Making a spur to WL would require 2 stations, so really it wouldn't be a spur but a line of its own serving only WL and maybe FW so not even a very cost efficient transportation method. A bridge would also have to be built and probably a drawbridge at that, so it may even need a bridge operator to open and close for boats. Once there was a train that ran through FW, but because a many factors, most involving the cost of maintaining it, the train was discontinued. The engines were sold and the track bed covered to make sidewalks or just allowed to "return to nature".

I think that running track to FW and WL, wouldnt be that hard to do, though the easier solution would be to cut a tunnel for the train with a crossing near the TTC. The big issue I can see, is where or how to turn the trains around, once they get to the MK.The other side would be easy, if they ran the trains into the Fort. Theres plenty of room for a circle.

True, Walt Disney would approve of a steam locomotive (as they were a big part of his life), but this was already tried at Fort Wilderness and ended-up being removed, some time ago...

QUOTE]


One of the many reasons that the trains were removed was that they did not have the tractive effort to pull the fully loaded cars. This was also in Michael Broggies book, that the trains were too small, and did not carry enough water and fuel for the day. The operators, were from attractions, instead of being trained as train operators, (There is a difference) and the trains were always running out of water or fuel. Plus the tracks were never laid properly, and they had a lot of problems with the trains derailing. Finally someone said enough is enough and the trains were removed. For a long time, the engines were in the back of the World,under tarps. I recently learned that 2 of them were bought and are being rehabbed for a museum out west somewhere. NOt sure where the other 2 are.The cars were turned into the first ticket booths at DTD, and have been replaced with prefabed structures.

 

[truck1]

Looked up some info today. The 4 steam engines and a handfull of cars from the Ft.,were bought by private collectors, and are out west in California and Oregon, being restored. Dont think they are coming back to operational. The remainder of the cars, are being used out of the Brevard County Zoo, 1 is at Typhoon Lagoon on floats as a prop in the parking lot,and a few are being used for display.