I noticed that there is a box on the floor of the rear platform of the third car in each train. Anyone know what that is? I am guessing it is for power for the sound system, but I would be interested to know more. I hadn't noticed it before this trip, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been there for a while. I know the conductor used to stand in that location instead of at the last car. Has it been there that long?

Yes, Steve that box houses the works for the audio/spiel on the train. The conductor indeed did stand on the 3rd car back in the old days and would give the spiel from a script. I am not sure, but I think the recorded spiel made a debut when Mickey's Birthday Land opened in 1988 (you can hear it on some of the YTube videos). Now, we stand in the 5th car so we can better see all of the train.

Yes, the recorded spiel debuted with Mickey's Birthdayland. I had seen the console, but I guess I just never noticed that box on the floor before. Oops. Thanks for the clarification!