Does Walt Disney World need a 5th Locomotive?

[tweetsie190]

Hey Everyone. So, as most of us are all all aware at this point, Walt Disney World DID purchase a 5th locomotive, but never made it to the park for some reason. This got me thinking: What if Walt Disney World purchased a 5th locomotive for use at the Magic Kingdom? If this is ever the case, I would like to see it named Ollie Johnston, Diane Disney, or Roy E. Disney. So, what do you think? Do you think that the WDWRR could use a 5th locomotive?

[Steve DeGaetano]

Hey Everyone. So, as most of us are all all aware at this point, Walt Disney World DID purchase a 5th locomotive, but never made it to the park for some reason. This got me thinking: What if Walt Disney World purchased a 5th locomotive for use at the Magic Kingdom? If this is ever the case, I would like to see it named Ollie Johnston, Diane Disney, or Roy E. Disney. So, what do you think? Do you think that the WDWRR could use a 5th locomotive?

Couple things to clear up here: WDW never purchased a fifth engine; it was given to them from Disneyland, since it was too large for their operations. It did, in fact, make it to the Park, and was actually dedicated to Ward Kimball back stage, but it is unclear whether it was ever actually operated on the line.

I don't have an opinion on whether a fifth engine is necessary, but I certainly wouldn't name it Roy E. Disney. That is just too confusing!

[Cannonball7]

I seem to remember reading that the engine didn't have enough power to pull the grade at WDW and they got rid of it. I don't remember if it was sold or given away...

The reality of the WDWRR is that they can only have 3 engines on the line, as there are only 3 stations at the Magic Kingdom. That means 4 engines allow them to have a "spare" when they are in their busiest season.

While it would be cool to have a 5th engine, I don't think it is really 'needed' - except when they're in the mode right now with 1 of their 4 out for rebuild.

[Locoboy5150]

The reality of the WDWRR is that they can only have 3 engines on the line, as there are only 3 stations at the Magic Kingdom.

I used to think that way too until I went to Tokyo Disneyland for the first time. They were operating three trains on the Western River Railroad. (It's a shutterbug's dream!) That line only has one station in Adventureland. That line is about half (my rough estimate) the length of the WDWRR since it does not go around the entire park.

I suppose that the engine crews just have to be very careful not to get too close to the train ahead of them but it is possible to have more trains on a Disney theme park railroad than there are stations. They seem to pull it off without any hitches at Tokyo Disneyland.

[TFN5459]

I seem to remember reading that the engine didn't have enough power to pull the grade at WDW and they got rid of it. I don't remember if it was sold or given away...

It was traded to Cedar Point for the Maud L, which would become Disneyland Railroad #5, the 2nd Ward Kimball that is still in service today.

[Locoboy5150]

It was traded to Cedar Point for the Maud L, which would become Disneyland Railroad #5, the 2nd Ward Kimball that is still in service today.

Then it went from Cedar Point (where I saw it in person in the C.P. & L.E. R.R. engine house) to Knott's Berry Farm and then from Knott's Berry Farm back to Cedar Point. It's hard to keep track of that Davenport Forney locomotive because it has been all over the US!

[TFN5459]

It was traded to Cedar Point for the Maud L, which would become Disneyland Railroad #5, the 2nd Ward Kimball that is still in service today.

Then it went from Cedar Point (where I saw it in person in the C.P. & L.E. R.R. engine house) to Knott's Berry Farm and then from Knott's Berry Farm back to Cedar Point. It's hard to keep track of that Davenport Forney locomotive because it has been all over the US!

And now it's not even a Forney anymore! The CP&LE chopped off the tank and is I believe using the Myron's tender now. It originally had George's tender but now that George is back in service, it's using it's own tender again.

[Bruce R Pier]

Yes, they did indeed buy a fifth locomotive that was never restored. It's documented in Micheal Broggie's book. It was a Mogul, the oldest one of the locomotives purchased. It had been on display in a city park. It made it back to Florida, but upon further inspection it was found to have way too many issues compared to the other four. It was stored for awhile, and I believe ultimately parted out.

[tj reger]

It was traded to Cedar Point for the Maud L, which would become Disneyland Railroad #5, the 2nd Ward Kimball that is still in service today.

Then it went from Cedar Point (where I saw it in person in the C.P. & L.E. R.R. engine house) to Knott's Berry Farm and then from Knott's Berry Farm back to Cedar Point. It's hard to keep track of that Davenport Forney locomotive because it has been all over the US!

I don't think it ever left Knott's. I saw it stored in the back by the roundhouse for years and was recently auctioned off with other Knott's items.No info on the buyer.

[Bruce R Pier]

The locomotive that was auctioned at Knotts was CP&LE #2 "Jennie K" a 1940 Porter. It came out to Knotts when the Davenstein was sent back. It was supposed to be evaluated for a rebuild that never materialized when Jack Falfas the Chief Operating Officer of Cedar Fair (and had been the VP & GM of West Coast Operations for CF) had a disagreement with the CEO and was discharged. His hope was to turn the Knotts shop in the corporate steam shop, that died when he left.
As far as who bought Jennie K, it was former Disney Imagineer Garner Holt who bought her, apparently with the idea of building a estate railroad like John Lassater