All Aboard! Magic Kingdom Honors 100 Years of Steam Power!
All aboard! If you have ever visited Magic Kingdom, you know how iconic these beloved trains are.
Not only are they a great way to relax and get around the park, but the nostalgic ride also captures a bygone era and Walt Disney’s love for this form of transportation.
Disney
This year, Magic Kingdom is honoring a landmark milestone for two of its most beloved locomotives- the Roger E. Broggie and Walter E. Disney- and the cast is having a magical celebration.
Happy Birthday!
Get ready to celebrate the 100th birthdays of these two Magic Kingdom trains. Built in 1925, these steam engines carried passengers long before they served as a Magic Kingdom attraction, and they continue to bring Walt’s lifelong love of trains to life for guests today.
Disney
Cast Members are marking the occasion by sharing the decades of history behind these engines and the meticulous work that keeps them running.
Their stories tie in to Walt’s personal fascination with railroads, a passion that inspired Disneyland and Magic Kingdom.
Ongoing Preservation
Disney’s ongoing preservation ensures the Walt Disney World Railroad stays true to its heritage while continuing to evolve with care.
Disney
The restoration and upkeep of these historic engines are carried out by a dedicated team of Cast Members.
Transportation Engineering Service Manager, Lou Berkheiser, has been a Cast Member for more than 35 years and has “always had a love for trains,” finding magic in “carrying on one of Walt’s original passions.”
Disney
Lou described the refurbishment process as watching a train come apart piece by piece so it can shine again. The multi-year effort involves dismantling the locomotive down to its smallest parts, restoring parts that no longer exist, and applying every finish with detailed craftsmanship.
This intricate level of care keeps these 100-year-old engines alive and steaming for future generations.
Lou explained that every stripe, number, and letter is carefully applied by hand, preserving an “authentic craftsmanship” rarely seen today. For Cast Members like Lou, “it’s not just a job – it’s an adventure,” to work on something closely connected to Walt Disney.
Stay Tuned!
Disney
The spirit of Disney artistry and Cast Member care ensures these century-old locomotives will proudly enter their next hundred years.
Stay tuned, and be sure to follow along with us at MickeyBlog to stay updated on this and all things Disney.
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Article Source/ Feature photo: Disney Experiences
