No more steam trains? (rumor)

[WDWDad13]

Could they have diesel trains that power the train but simulate the look of a steam train (as today)?

 

[MinnieM123]

This would indeed be a shame. I do WDRR grand circle tour a lot. It's at the top of my list when first getting to MK on each trip, if I get into town before 7PM (or when they do the last run). Not sure it could be the same experience without the steam power, those sights and sounds are part of the whole charm.

Exactly . . .

 

[articos]

Could they have diesel trains that power the train but simulate the look of a steam train (as today)?

Yes.

 

[Voxel]

I hope this isn't so but I do know there is a shortage of engineers who can actually properly hand steam locomotives. I got the chance to learn how to operate one when my father worked at a rail museum. It is no cake walk to get those things running and maintained. Its sad really, but I know in recent years many museums have had to stop running the steam locomotives because of the lack of proper engineers.

 

[WDI 1998]

The boilers for the Steam Trains at WDW are fired by biodiesel and have been for quite some time. I learned this on the Behind the Steam tour. I don't think they would seriously replace the Steam Trains because they are so Iconic and one of Walt's original wishes for the parks.

 

[G8rchamps]

I absolutely LOVE the sounds of the train in the background noise of the park. Something to be said for being in the line for Big Thunder and hearing the train roll by - whistling its way to the next station.

 

[rangerbob]

I thought the tour was paying for quite a bit of the train usage. Isn't it sold out most days?

 

[DisneyConstruction23]

This would be very very sad....I wake up every morning and on my way to work I hear the train leaving the station it pulls into each night with the monorails.....I would hate to hear that sound leave.

 

[DisneyGentleman]

They are going the way of the rest of the resort, will pave over the track and use busses.

 

[midwest_mice]

To be honest, it just wouldn't be right sitting in Town Square which depicts the early 1900's, with a train coming into the station without steam.

 

[asianway]

Throwing up the spirit signal: @WDW1974 any insight?

 

[wdw71fan]

I can tell you this was indeed looked at about a year ago because of concerns regarding the longevity of the current fleet (because of issues with Lilly)..

It was deemed feasible, both financially and otherwise, but more recently it's been more focus on improving maintenance and care of the existing 3 (plus lillys refurb)... and on that point.. Lilly Bell won't be gone much longer

 

[jdmdisney99]

I can tell you this was indeed looked at about a year ago because of concerns regarding the longevity of the current fleet (because of issues with Lilly)..

It was deemed feasible, both financially and otherwise, but more recently it's been more focus on improving maintenance and care of the existing 3 (plus lillys refurb)... and on that point.. Lilly Bell won't be gone much longer

Good news.

 

[Freshee61]

@OP
This would be so sad on many different levels
I'd like to think I would boycott if that were to happen.

 

[bfox1183]

I'm surprised at how many people didn't know the trains have been running on bio-diesel for some time now... But lets kick the knowledge up a notch with the fact they are using the waste oil from the deep fryers around the parks to make the bio-diesel. Lets face it, its a smart move on their part to do this since they will not have a problem sustaining their fuel reserves for some time and they dont have to pay to have the oil disposed of.

Side note: Wasn't there talk of converting all of the buses to bio-diesel for the same reason?

 

[bethymouse]

I too love the sounds of the WDWRR. I hope they keep the MAGIC going somehow.

 

[ford91exploder]

I'm surprised at how many people didn't know the trains have been running on bio-diesel for some time now... But lets kick the knowledge up a notch with the fact they are using the waste oil from the deep fryers around the parks to make the bio-diesel. Lets face it, its a smart move on their part to do this since they will not have a problem sustaining their fuel reserves for some time and they dont have to pay to have the oil disposed of.

Side note: Wasn't there talk of converting all of the buses to bio-diesel for the same reason?

I believe the buses run on a bio-dino diesel mix, A lot of the injector pumps don't like pure biodiesel Really old ones and really new Diesels run fine on pure bio-diesel the ones in the middle may have some issues.

 

[ford91exploder]

I hope this isn't so but I do know there is a shortage of engineers who can actually properly hand steam locomotives. I got the chance to learn how to operate one when my father worked at a rail museum. It is no cake walk to get those things running and maintained. Its sad really, but I know in recent years many museums have had to stop running the steam locomotives because of the lack of proper engineers.

See 'How to boot a Steam Engine' a personal favorite of mine.

http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/hostling.html

 

[Goofyernmost]

The steam that billows out of the steam engines is just that, steam, water vapor.

Yup...steam is no problem. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Do they use Disney magic to heat it enough to turn water into steam?

 

[Voxel]

Yup...steam is no problem. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Do they use Disney magic to heat it enough to turn water into steam?

No they use bio-diesel which we already stated to head the water. Bio-diesel anywhere from 30% - 50% of that coals environmental impact. It all comes done to which bi-product are used and where these products origin from. (Soy oil from some countries burn cleaner they soy from others strangle enough)