Rumor: WDW steam engines may be replaced

Discussion in 'Misc. Posting Board' started by ddindy, Mar 24, 2014.

  1. ddindy

    ddindy Member Staff Member

    I'm marking this as a RUMOR because I don't know if there's any truth to it or not.

    According to Save Disney Steam, the bean counters at Disney Corporate are considering replacing the steam engines of the WDW railroad with cheaper-to-operate substitues. ; All I know about this is what they've put on their web site, which isn't much. ; From a financial standpoint, it would certainly make sense, but we'd all hate to see it happen. ; I mean, who gets excited about the train in Animal Kingdom?

    This could be true or it could just be a typical fan overreaction.

    Wasn't one of the engines being rebuilt during our tour in Dec. 2012?

    Has anyone else heard anything about this?
     
  2. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    I don't know what to make of the rumors. ; Lilly Belle has been out for refurbishment since sometime in 2010. ; This is a reoccurring rumor that I've heard a couple of times before and nothing has ever come of it, however given the supposed source of the current round of rumors, I'm somewhat worried this time. ;

    On the other hand, the Carolwood Pacific Society hasn't said anything about it and one of the Carolwood board members stated on another forum that he had no knowledge of the rumors. ; As strongly as the Society advocates steam preservation, I doubt they would ignore the issue if the trains were in serious jeopardy. ; So again, I really don't know what to make of it.

    I've heard so many stories this time, that I don't know what to believe, so I won't repeat them here.
     
  3. Roger

    Roger Member Staff Member

    Well Disneyland went to B98 on their trains seven years ago. What are the trains running on now?
     
  4. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    WDWRR is still running low sulfur diesel. ;

    I've taken the Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour several times and was told once that the WDWRR was trying a biodiesel mix. ; That tour was around the same time that Disneyland was switching over, so the guide may have had his parks confused. On every tour since then, the guide has made a point to state that the WDWRR has never run biodiesel, so I'm inclined to think that one guide didn't know what he was talking about
     
  5. ddindy

    ddindy Member Staff Member

    Thanks for clearing this up, guys. ; I'm putting this down to fan overreaction.
     
  6. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    I'd keep an eye on it. The guys behind Save Disney Steam seem to have good sources. ; And the Society could be doing things quietly behind the scenes and just not saying anything yet. If that's the case, it isn't a huge problem yet. If things start looking really bad, I would expect a public and very vocal campaign from the Society. That's the point at which I'll worry.
     
  7. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    It wasn't an overreaction. Carrolwood posted this to their Facebook this morning. ;

    This does not look good
     
  8. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    Here's the screenshot of the Facebook post:
     

    Attached Files:

  9. mSummers

    mSummers Member

  10. lightslicer

    lightslicer Member

    Petition signed.
    Thanks for the info.

    Peg
     
  11. mSummers

    mSummers Member

    Update: I received the following via email from CPHS this morning:

    "To: Members of the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society
    From: Michael Broggie

    While our Society doesn't engage in rumors, lately there's been a flurry of
    misinformation and assumptions surrounding the possible conversion to
    Diesel-hydraulic, or the replacement, of the vintage Baldwin steam engines at
    Walt Disney World. This message is to inform our members that this is
    not going to happen, now or for the foreseeable future. Please share this
    information with anyone who values Walt's legacy of preserving America's steam
    railroad history.

    Thank you.

    Michael Broggie"


    Thank you to everyone who signed the petition. While it is unclear whether the petition or the Save Disney Steam Facebook page had an impact on the decision, it certainly didn't hurt.
     
  12. jbwolffiv

    jbwolffiv Member

    Good news to hear, thanks for sharing that Michael!
     
  13. lightslicer

    lightslicer Member

    thanks for sharing this information!
     
  14. ddindy

    ddindy Member Staff Member

    That's great news. Sometimes the internet is a wonderful place, sometimes it's just an electronic edition of the National Perspirer.
     
  15. Roger

    Roger Member Staff Member

    Um Disney World said almost the exact same thing right before PUSH was cancelled.
     
  16. PolynesianMedic

    PolynesianMedic Global Moderator Staff Member

    Let's hope the message from Carolwood stays true! That tour is a great one.
     

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