Disone
Well-Known Member
I have done this, have always been hesitant to stay right at the corner when the train departs. Eric, do you know if they will depart with you standing that close?
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Roger E. Broggie steam locomotive new headlight
- Thread starter EricsBiscuit
- Start date
Monorail_Orange
Well-Known Member
This is absolutely true. It is standard operating procedure for the engineers to open the steamcocks upon departing Fantasyland Station. I hate to burst the bubble of those that think it's just for them, it's actually because the trains are climbing a grade from Fantasyland up to Main Street. When starting from a stop, especially on an uphill grade, locomotives are prone to wheelslip. Not only does wheel slip mean the train isn't actually moving efficiently (or at all), wheelslip creates excess wear on the driver wheels and rails. Most locomotives combat this with sand sprayed onto the track just before the wheels to increase traction. However, on the WDW locomotives, years ago the engineers were using too much sand, and again, causing excess wear. The sand tubes were cut and plugged at the footrail on each boiler. By opening the steamcocks the engineers can actually reduce the torque applied to the driving wheels via the steam cylinders, and have a larger margin for error to avoid wheelslip. So the steamcocks are opened for operational reasons unrelated to show. Again, apologies for bursting anyone's bubble.
Disone
Well-Known Member
No apology needed. I have heard this a couple of times but you explained it far better then I could have. They don't do it all the time though, I do wonder about that. I have definitely seen Fantasyland Station departures with out much of a steam show. As they typically open the steamcocks prior to engaging the Johnson bar, do you know what they use to determine that they need, or do not need the traction?
Monorail_Orange
Well-Known Member
Truth be told, they use engineer experience. A good engineer can "feel" when it's required. Obviously conditions have a lot to do with it as well. It is also very possible for an good engineer to accomplish departing the station using only the steam throttle and Johnson bar. The steamcocks just make it easier, and as you've noticed, also put on a good show.
Yes they do. The day they started testing the Lilly Belle (her first day back late last year) I got footage of her testing from that position.
Disone
Well-Known Member
WDWmagic should have a Behind the Steams meet.
Captain Barbossa
Well-Known Member
I'm in love with that picture. I can hear the whistle blowing right now.
828tnt
Well-Known Member
I would LOVE to have known they were in PA! Guess I need to pay more attention to the boards again.
DisAl
Well-Known Member
Have you noticed there are no brakes on the WDW locomotives? The brakes are on the passenger cars to give a smother stop and start for the passengers. There is no slack between the individual cars and the locomotive like there is on a "big" train.
If they do an emergency stop (like when an idiot kid jumps off just as the train is starting to move, and yes I saw this) they use both the car brakes and reverse the Johnson bar to lock the locomotive wheels.
(If I am wrong on this I'm sure one of you will let me know, but you can't see any brake shoes on the locos.)
If they do an emergency stop (like when an idiot kid jumps off just as the train is starting to move, and yes I saw this) they use both the car brakes and reverse the Johnson bar to lock the locomotive wheels.
(If I am wrong on this I'm sure one of you will let me know, but you can't see any brake shoes on the locos.)
Walter E. Disney is there now.I would LOVE to have known they were in PA! Guess I need to pay more attention to the boards again.
ParksAndPixels
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Oh great! I can see it now... “In order to provide the most efficient use and highest capacity of our trains, Walt Disney World is pleased to announce we will be adding automation to our trains to allow for more trains to operate on our existing tracks.” (Totally joking around so no one start that rumors please lol)
DisAl
Well-Known Member
For those who may be interested there are several videos of the "Magic Behind Our Steam Trains" tour posted on YouTube. Some of them are quite good.
Of course, watching it on video is sort of like watching somebody eat ice cream on video. Looks good but there is nothing like being there. I've done the tour three times and will do it again when I get the chance.
Of course, watching it on video is sort of like watching somebody eat ice cream on video. Looks good but there is nothing like being there. I've done the tour three times and will do it again when I get the chance.
DisAl
Well-Known Member
I know what you mean. I once got permission from George Britton to stand in the corner to make some photos. Problem was, the engineer on the next train did not know that, and seeing someone where he was not used to seeing them he did a J-bar stop about thirty feet short of the normal stop point.. Embarrassed me tremendously, and I apologized to the engineer.
Didn't do that again.
Well I've had to wait there before because there was a queue line for wheelchairs (my grandma can't transfer, they should add more wheelchair accessible spots but anyway). The trains departed as normal.I know what you mean. I once got permission from George Britton to stand in the corner to make some photos. Problem was, the engineer on the next train did not know that, and seeing someone where he was not used to seeing them he did a J-bar stop about thirty feet short of the normal stop point.. Embarrassed me tremendously, and I apologized to the engineer.
Didn't do that again.
828tnt
Well-Known Member
No kidding? It sounds dank like a day trip for my son and I!
Disneyrailfan1996
Active Member
Definitely! especially considering that each and every tour guide puts his/her own personality or personal touch on the tour - mainly with explanations/commentary. Mine had this to say about the trains vs the monorails. "When you (the monorails) lose power, you lose!" in other words, you can't rely on electricity to replace good old fashioned steam power! If you get there early enough, you might get to see the train do a test run before returning to the station (and possibly hear the station announcement go off long after the train has left!) and also the announcements telling everybody basically what you're mother would tell you every now and then: "clean up! We got company!" except more pleasant and explained.
Captain Barbossa
Well-Known Member
Haven't heard from you in a while. Are you still working in MK? Have you seen the new headlamps?
MerlinTheGoat
Well-Known Member
I didn't pay much attention to this thread. But now that I saw the new light in person the other day, it looks really bad.
I do like LED tech normally and have seen plenty of them (fitting normal sized or candelabra fixtures) that do a great job simulating the warm glow of a classic incandescent. There are even ones that look like real filaments and output to the 1800k-2200k warm amber color-
https://d114hh0cykhyb0.cloudfront.n...ament-bulb-gold-tint-7-watt-dimmable-app0.jpg
But what they used here is an extremely "blue" white. Daylight or cool white in the 5000k or above color. I don't know if there are any warmer yellow/orange colored LEDs of that size and brightness, but what they got doesn't work at all and isn't appropriate.
I do like LED tech normally and have seen plenty of them (fitting normal sized or candelabra fixtures) that do a great job simulating the warm glow of a classic incandescent. There are even ones that look like real filaments and output to the 1800k-2200k warm amber color-
https://d114hh0cykhyb0.cloudfront.n...ament-bulb-gold-tint-7-watt-dimmable-app0.jpg
But what they used here is an extremely "blue" white. Daylight or cool white in the 5000k or above color. I don't know if there are any warmer yellow/orange colored LEDs of that size and brightness, but what they got doesn't work at all and isn't appropriate.
Monorail_Orange
Well-Known Member
Very disappointing to see the lack of thematic consistency with the headlamp replacement. I mean, these are true, turn-of-the-20th century heirlooms of railroading history. LED upgrade is still OK, if you make it with the color temperature of incandescent bulb or an oil flame. Seriously, what's next? An exposed CFL in place of the "Edison bulb" on porch of the 1920's scene in COP?
Not defending here, I wonder if the reason for "daylight or cool white" has to do with attempting to give the Engineer and Fireman a better view when the trains are running after dark? A bit like HID's as opposed to incandescent lamps on autos? The cooler temperatures are supposed to put out more lumens with the same wattage consumption. Other than that, and even that's really stretching it, there's a lack of good reason for this.