WDW RailRoad... Backwards???

[AKQJ10]

Well, not really backwards...

But the WDW railroad supposedly traveled counter-clockwise (as opposed to its normal clockwise direction) during the construction of Splash Mountain in late 1991/early 1992. Can't seem to confirm this fact definitely!

If they were constructing the new attraction and station, why would it have to go in the other direction? And was the track completed all the way around? If not, what happened when the train got to Frontierland?

 

[wdw_writers]

Where did this information come from? I'm interested now

 

[AKQJ10]

writers,

I got this info from some online resources, as well as an old article, but i cannot confirm it to be 100% true (without photo, cast member, etc).

 

[LibertyBelle]

YES really backwards....

During the construction of Splash Mountain the Fronteirland train station was torn down and moved (the old station was a Gingerbread station that was approximatly in the location of the current parade crossing just outside the Splash Mountain Tunnel.)

While Splash was being built, the train only ran from Main Street to Mickey's Starland...what is now Toon Town (as the Frontierland station was being torn down and rebuilt). It would travel forwards to Main Street and then Backwards to Starland...Toon Town. It was not traveling counter-clockwise, it was going forwards (locomotive first) to Main street and Backwards (passenger car 5 first) to Toon Town for the entire time that construction was taking place.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Just for fun here is a link to info on the old Frontierland station... There is only one error in the link. The water tower was not moved to the new Frontierland station it was moved to Mickey's Birthdayland/Mickey's Starland/Toon Town

http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/frlrs1.htm

 

[AKQJ10]

Belle,

I had heard that as well, but couldn't image the train running backwards for that distance. Do you have any sources to help confirm this 100% for me?

Thanks!!!

 

[LibertyBelle]

I am an engineer on the WDW Railroad...

 

[AKQJ10]

Prove it...

KIDDING!!!

Thanks for the info.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Your welcome

Stop by and see me sometime

http://www.geocities.com/boothill_thundermesa/engineer

Sorry dog ate the bottom of the picture

 

[AKQJ10]

Thanks!!! I appreciate the visual confirmation!!

I'll look for you next time I'm riding the rails!!! THANKS!!!

 

[moinab]

LibertyBelle-

We are going to be at MK later this week. Our 3 1/2 year old DS is obsessed with trains. We'll be looking for you!

Maureen

 

[seashoreCM]

Originally posted by AKQJ10
...couldn't image the train running backwards for that distance.

In many cities, commuter trains, I have seen with up to six passenger cars, run "forward" in one direction (inbound or outbound) and "backward" in the other direction, so as to avoid the need to turn the train around or switch the locomotive to the other end. Runs can be over 50 miles. There are controls for the engineer at the end of the last coach. This is called "push pull operation".

The WDW trains run slow enough that the conductor standing on the rear platform can direct the engineer via walkie talkie without problems.

This will not work with very long trains. If you have a model railroad, try it (slowly!). If the locomotive were in the middle, the entire train could be twice as long as otherwise.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Too bad the old platform at Frontierland could not have been kept in service.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
The WDW trains run slow enough that the conductor standing on the rear platform can direct the engineer via walkie talkie without problems.

Actually no walkie talkies just good old fashion buzzers from the last car to the locomotive and in that situation there is a conductor (to watch the passengers) and an engineer (to watch the track) on the back of the train for safety

MOINAB... I am off on Tues and Wed, but work night shifts all other days... Stop by, we could probably get your DS to be a guest conductor on the back of the train

 

[moinab]

MOINAB... I am off on Tues and Wed, but work night shifts all other days... Stop by, we could probably get your DS to be a guest conductor on the back of the train

We are driving down on Wednesday because DH has a couple of interviews, but then we'll be hitting the parks through Sunday. I'm sure we will be riding the train multiple times, so we will definitely look for you, so that Christian can say, "Hi." He will be thrilled.

BTW, thanks for this info on the train. It's very interesting.

Maureen

 

[AKQJ10]

Thanks to everyone for all of your help on this one!!! (Especially the detailed information - now I feel a little less ignorant about how the trains work, etc.)