Maybe I missed this topic, but is the lack of music during the ride permanent, or just something until Fantasyland Depot comes back online?

The "old" spiel only had music sporadically throughout it. Personally, I like the lack of music. The sounds of the steam train should be the background track for the voice over!

Of course I like to hear the sounds from the locomotive too, but I personally don't like that the music was omitted in the new spiel; the new spiel lacks character, making it lame and takes away from the overall train ride experience. I did not like the voice they had in the previous spiel, but at least they kept the music. The best voice actor was in the first spiels (1988-2002) I think his name was Rob Schnider? His voice had the best tone and the most character.

You know which spiel was the best in my opinion? The one used from 1992 to 1996 (before Mickey's Starland was changed to Toon Town Fair) because it had all of the great area music throughout the spiel AND also had "Rolling on the Walt Disney World Express" in it. So it had the best of everything.

While on the subject of spiels, did Thurl Ravenscroft ever do a spiel for the WDWRR?

Personally, I disagree. The train itself, with all its sounds, sights, and even smells, is the real character. The narration is just there to enhance the experience a bit.

No, he never did. Actually, I still remember my surprise and delight hearing his railroad spiel on my first Disneyland visit in 1993.

I totally agree!