What's up with the Disneyland Railroad?

[ProfGriffin]

Originally Posted by Steve DeGaetano

No major changes are underway, but it is definitely NOT a "yearly rehab."

In late 2004, half of the Main Line was replaced (it's a big job), going roughly from the outskirts of Frontierland, along the Rivers of America (some may recall the track being so bad here that the trains had to slow to a virtual crawl), through to Tomorrowland.
(snip)

So, in a large nutshell, that's "what's up with the Disneyland Railroad."

WOW! Thanks for this. Amazing!

[ProfGriffin]

I also want to add that I LOVE the Dinosaurs (AND so does my son...his first trip to Dl, last year...he was 4 and we rode that train over and over so he could see the Dinos. He LOVES them.)

So with all this rather extensive work being done...uh...is there a date set for it's re-opening? I can only assume it will all be up and running by the Summer busy season...

We'll be back there in JUNE! I can't wait.

[akfandisney]

It look like the train be back on March 29

May Close on may 7 to June 11 for Sub and nemo.

[mrfantasmic]

Take a look at the roundhouse while on the monorail. You can see the engines being worked on!

[Nautilus]

One our members at the Disney Railroad discussion board at Burnsland.com known as "Marky4839" gave us an update on this refurbishment...

We will be back up again for spring break starting the 30. We actually are schedualed to start testing on the 26 or 27 at night. hopefully I could pick up a night shift to ride the trains in a continuous loop without stopping. Last time I did this it started to snow on the Rivers of America for about a minute. It was really cold that night. We will be going back down because they will be doing some work on the bridge in Critter Country. hopfully the work on the bridge does not take that long. Some say three weeks at the least and a maximum of five. The track work is pretty much done they are just putting on some finishing touches

So the Railroad is going down again to do work on the trestle in Critter Country, NOT for Nemo.

[King of the Frogs]

As I recall, when the partial new track was laid, the rail-end spacing was a little tight on the old track, so sections were shifting and buckling. Is my memory failing, or was this the driving force for Roger Moury finally breaking loose with the cash to get this done (especially near the Roundhouse/Sub pen/switch area on the north side).

Regards; KotF

[Steve DeGaetano]

The first set of rails laid, in 2004, were too narrow by 1/4 inch (the trains stay on the track because ~1-inch lips, called "flanges," extend from the wheels, and keep everything on the track. If the rails are spaced to closely, there are problems).

On curves, this can present additional problems, as the outer wheel must "turn" faster to keep up with the wheel on the inner-most rail. If the rails were spaced a little farther apart, one wheel could "slip" a little, and allow for the differing curve radii.

Somewhere along the line, management dictated that the rails stay the same incorrect distance apart, curve or no curve. This did cause problems initially.

Eventually, the rails wore down, and the problem of too-close rails has become less significant. It remains to be seen if the same gauge error resurfaces.

[barfownz]

I'm glad that the Railroad will be back up by April 1st.