Today In Disney History ~ July 31st
The Casey Jr. Circus Train is the name of a ridable miniature railroad attraction found at Disneyland and a powered roller coaster attraction found at Disneyland Paris. Based on the train of the same name from the 1941 film Dumbo, it gives passengers a tour of many miniature versions of classic Disney animated film scenes. This tour is similar to the one given on the slower paced Storybook Land Canal Boats, but does not incorporate narration. The original attraction was operating during the grand opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, but was closed the following day for safety testing and reopened on July 31, 1955.
Casey Jr. Circus Train at Disneyland Paris is designed as a roller coaster for small children through Storybook Land, giving riders good views of the Storybook Land castle and other scenes that are not as visible from the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
The Skyway used to pass over part of the Casey Junior Circus Train track. The original 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gaugeinternal combustion-powered railroad version at Disneyland was manufactured by Arrow Development. The powered roller coaster version of the ride in Disneyland Paris was manufactured by Vekoma.
Casey Jr. has two train sets: No. 7 and No. 9. They consist of (from front to back) a locomotive resembling Casey, a calliope car, a pink open-top chair car seating 4, a monkey and wild animal cage, another open-top chair car painted blue, and a caboose. The locomotive however is not the real engine; the calliope car has an internal combustion Chevrolet Thriftmaster straight 6 engine, as hinted if you hear a loud engine noise when the train is departing. The hill has a chain hill to help get up as well as good measure referencing Casey saying “I think I can”. Typically a single train is used with the other train coming out if busier.
Casey departs the station and curves parallel to the docks of the Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction. Then it passes the hidden backstage area and climbs up the hill with Casey chanting “I think I can”. After it completes the hill, it will curve again this time parallel to the station but separated by the Storybook Land water. Then the train will continue and pass above the water and spiral down, where a block signal will stop it to verify its presence. Once it turns green, the train goes into the station with the ringmaster saying it’s the end of the lion (really meaning the end of the line). The trains will go slightly slower if both are out. No two trains will ever be out on the line at the same time because one train must be boarding and the other out, despite having 3 block signals.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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