Here's a (not-so-great) photo I took this afternoon of the Lilly Belle loaded onto a trailer for transport. I know she's not been in service for awhile, with the other locomotives taking her place pulling the show coaches in the morning. I know it's been a little less than 10 years since the locomotives were sent to Tweetsie for rebuilding, so I'm not sure if that's why/where she's headed. Just thought I would post the photo here. Again, it's not great, it's from my phone and was taken from a moving vehicle. I'm actually surprised I got it in one pass.

Interesting that they covered over all identifying surfaces.

The same thing was done in the photos that I've seen of WDWRR Engine 4 when it was returned back from the Tweetsie RR.

Though you can't see it, they also removed the number plate from the front of the smokebox. I don't fully understand why they try to "disguise" their locomotives in transport. Anyone who would know that's a WDW locomotive would likely know which one it is, and anyone who wouldn't recognize it would not likely be clued in by seeing the name on the cab or the number. Perhaps they're afraid someone will try to vandalize them or something, but it's doubtful it would be left unattended for more than a few minutes even if the driver had to stop. There's not much to steal anyway, as they have already removed almost everything that can be taken off.

They've always been "disguising" the locomotives when they're on the moves, especially during rebuilds (Fullerton Railroad days are an exception). I reckon it has to deal with the Disney paparazzi or any potential vandalism from anyone else.

Yeah, I don't fully understand why the need for such secrecy. When our little tourist railroad moved its locomotive, we spent an inordinate amount of time making sure people knew EXACTLY which railroad it came from!

I wonder where it's going, or what work is going to be performed.

The reason they remove number plates and builders plates is so they will not go missing. These are very treasured and not something they want to replace. As far as secrecy goes, well its Disney. Matter of fact I know that they usually travel under the canvas of night to get the locomotive were it needs to go. We should see it back on the rails in about 8 to 12 months and looking good. Probably pulling more than just the show train every day. As for were she is being worked on, well lets just say its much further north than the last time.

As a former employee of a defense contractor that worked directly on some pretty secret projects that the bad guys would love to know about, I find it rather amusing how Disney treats some of their things as if the known free world's safety and security depends on their secrecy. I have to admit that it is rather unintentionally humorous from my perspective.

In the big picture it's just a steam locomotive. Are they worried that paparazzi will be following the convoy, camera in hand, taking photos the entire way?

Well, then again steam locomotives can be considered as celebrities in a railfan's point of view.

Does this mean like further north as in somewhere in PA or even more North than that?

I'll be glad to see her back on the rails besides just the show trains. She is too beautiful to be that limited.